Chapter 667 Missing
“I’m afraid we can’t fulfill your request, Old Mr. Halliwell. Here’s the deposit you gave us. We’re returning it in full,” one of the three bodyguards stated as he slipped the bank card in his hand back to Reuben.
Reuben narrowed his eyes a fraction, but he remained smiling as he inquired, “Why? Do you find the deposit too little?”
“Of course not. This deposit is far more generous than that of other clients. But we really can’t take the job. The woman you’re asking for is acquainted with Mr. Clinton, and the heir of Clinton Corporations isn’t someone a small security firm like us can afford to offend,” the bodyguard explained.
“The heir of Clinton Corporations?” Reuben echoed thoughtfully.
“Old Mr. Halliwell, you’re from Saspiuburg, so you might not be so familiar with the business circles in Tayhaven. Everyone from Tayhaven knows that a single word from the Clintons has the power to shake the city. They’re exceedingly powerful and aren’t someone we can afford to offend. Please look for someone else. Insignificant people like us dare not go against them,” the bodyguard expounded.
In response, Reuben waved a dismissive hand.
Those three bodyguards promptly scampered away like mice.
“What a bunch of idiots! And they call themselves the best security firm? Their bodyguards are all utter cowards!” Dorothy, who had been silent so far, scoffed.
At that, Reuben threw her a look.
“Dearest, it seems we’ve got to reconsider things,” he murmured, sighing faintly.
Born with a silver spoon in her mouth, Dorothy seldom bothered about the affairs of the outside world all these years, so she knew little about the Clintons.
“Clinton Corporations ranks first in Tayhaven in terms of annual profit. They have tens of thousands of employees, with thousands of them making tens of millions, five hundred of them making millions, and the rest making thousands in annual income. Their employees’ incomes are among the highest in the entire country, let alone Tayhaven. One can even say that the Clintons are even more powerful than the Hissons. Since that woman is actually under the Clintons’ protection, I’m afraid we can’t make a move against her easily, “Reuben explained briefly. Then, he again heaved a sigh morosely.
Dorothy plunged into silent contemplation for a moment.
She then demanded, “Don’t tell me we’re just going to leave with our tails tucked between our legs without avenging our grandson? How are we supposed to show our faces in public if we were to return bare-handed?”
Reuben said nothing.
“I’ll go and meet that so-called heir of Clinton Corporations tomorrow. I want to see whether he’s really that intimidating,” Dorothy sneered disdainfully with a snort.
In her opinion, the heir of Clinton Corporations was no different from other wealthy heirs, capable of nothing else other than eating, drinking, and having fun. Therefore, she didn’t believe that she wasn’t his match when she had seniority over him.
“Don’t be rash, Dearest. I’ll go and meet him tomorrow,” Reuben countered.
“Let’s go together.”
The next day, the two of them went to Clinton Corporations by car.
The receptionist stopped them both.
“Sir, madam, may I know who you’re looking for? Do you have an appointment?” she asked politely.
“This is my business card. I’m here in Tayhaven for an inspection, and I heard that Clinton Corporations is one of the biggest companies in the city, so I’m interested in collaborating with your company. Please give your boss a call on my behalf,” Reuben fibbed.
The receptionist studied the business card. Not daring to dawdle, she made the call. After hanging up the phone, she went over to them and uttered courteously, “This way, sir, madam.”
Reuben and Dorothy trailed after her, taking Oscar’s private elevator upstairs directly.
The instant they stepped out of the elevator, Linda was already standing there to welcome them.
Bowing slightly, she queried, “Old Mr. and Mrs. Halliwell?”
Reuben nodded in affirmation.
“This way, please. Mr. Clinton is already waiting for you both inside.” Linda respectfully led them to the office door before opening it and ushering them in.
“Old Mr. and Mrs. Halliwell are here, Mr. Clinton,” she reported.
Oscar raised his hand and waved it dismissively, ordering, “You may leave.”
“Understood, Mr. Clinton.”
Consequently, Linda went out and even thoughtfully closed the door behind her.
Oscar stood up and circled the desk, scrutinizing Rueben and Dorothy surreptitiously. Subsequently, he extended a hand and greeted, “Nice to meet you, Old Mr. and Mrs. Halliwell. I’m Oscar Clinton.”
Reuben fixated his gaze on the man. Admittedly, he’s an incredibly outstanding man with striking looks and dignified manners. He has a formidable aura and an authoritative air of someone superior.
“I’ve heard a lot about you, lad. Indeed, you’re very capable despite your tender age and far more outstanding than I expected,” Reuben drawled blithely, deliberately ignoring the man’s outstretched hand.
Withdrawing his hand, Oscar remarked without any change in expression, “Have a seat, Old Mr. and Mrs. Halliwell.”
As the couple took their seats, Linda considerately brought coffee in.
“Have some coffee, Old Mr. and Mrs. Halliwell,” she urged, putting the coffee in front of them.
Then, she placed a cup of coffee before Oscar. “Have some coffee, Mr. Clinton.”
Nodding, Oscar instructed, “You may leave. Don’t allow any irrelevant individuals in without my permission.”
“Understood, Mr. Clinton.” Linda bowed slightly before leaving silently.
Oscar sat on the couch opposite them with his legs crossed, his posture very much elegant.
“Have some coffee, Old Mr. Halliwell. The coffee my secretary brews has always been top-notch, so I think you’ll find it suited to your tastes.” He was in no hurry to get to the crux of the matter, making pleasantries instead.
Picking up the cup, Reuben took a sip of coffee. He nodded and commented, “Not bad. It’s fragrant and rich, with a hint of sweetness amidst the bitterness. This is probably top-quality Black Ivory Coffee, yes?”
“As expected of a coffee connoisseur, Old Mr. Halliwell. You could tell the type of coffee with a single sip,” Oscar complimented with a smile, changing his posture.
Reuben merely smiled before he intentionally gave a cough and started, “Lad, we’re not here today to shoot the breeze with you. Let me cut to the chase. You’re acquainted with Derrick’s girlfriend?”
“Are you referring to Tiffany, Old Mr. Halliwell? She’s my wife’s best friend and also my god-sister. I’ve known her for eight years. I reckon you’re here because of your grandson’s matter, right? He almost violated her. If it weren’t for Mrs. Hisson pleading for mercy on his behalf, I would’ve sent him right to the police station. No one has ever managed to remain unscathed after making a move against someone under the protection of the Clintons. You should be glad that he’s your grandson, Old Mr. Halliwell. Otherwise, he’d be six feet under now,” Oscar stated indifferently. It was as though he was speaking of the nice weather that day.
Fury flashed across Dorothy’s face. She was on the verge of blowing her top when Reuben grasped her hand and signaled her not to act recklessly. After all, it wasn’t the Halliwell family’s territory there.
One would never be able to win without the home advantage.
“Lad, my grandson might be a bit of a womanizer and covets beautiful women, but he didn’t know that she was your god-sister. Don’t you think you were taking things too far to castrate him? He can’t have intercourse with women anymore, so my wife and I can’t have great-grandchildren. Shouldn’t you give us an explanation?” Reuben enunciated dangerously with his eyes narrowed into slits.
Hearing that, Oscar snickered. Instead of answering, he asked, “So, he’s impotent now?”
A flash of rage glinted in Reuben’s eyes at how a snot-nosed kid actually dared challenge his authority.
“What did you mean by that, lad?”
“Nothing much. I just feel that when one commits heinous acts, one will always be repaid in kind. The old adage is indeed true. What goes around comes around. It seems that your grandson was too much of a rake and sullied too many women, so his retribution caught up with him. Old Mr. Halliwell, I think this is a joyous matter. You no longer have to worry that you’d have a great-grandson appearing out of nowhere,” Oscar replied solemnly.
“You’d better watch it, Oscar Clinton!” Dorothy lambasted, the reins on her temper snapping.
However, Oscar merely shrugged. “Was I wrong, Old Mrs. Halliwell?”
“How dare you!”
“Calm down, Dearest,” Reuben interjected.
Dorothy panted heavily, so furious that her face was slightly contorted.
“Are you adamant about protecting that girl named Tiffany, lad?” Reuben inquired calmly.
“Old Mr. Halliwell, it’s good to forgive and forget. Your grandson was the one at fault in the first place. It so happens that I also had someone investigate him, and I discovered that he was quite the lecherous man. He’s bedded countless women and drained himself, so he’s naturally impotent. It’s ungentlemanly of you to vent your anger on an innocent woman who was the victim,” Oscar riposted grimly.
At that, Reuben got up from the couch and declared, “Fine. Young people are capable, so I’m afraid that I’m no match when I’m old and frail. However, the Halliwell family is no easy prey either. You’d best protect her for the rest of her days.”
When he was about to reach the door, Oscar reminded, “Old Mr. Halliwell, the Halliwell family is indeed formidable, but the Clintons and Hissons are also no easy prey. Do you think it’s worthwhile to offend both families and affect your family business for the sake of a useless grandson?”
Harrumphing, Reuben swung open the door and stalked off.
After leaving Clinton Corporations, Dorothy raved and ranted. “That young man really has no manners! He doesn’t even have basic respect for his elders!”
“That’s enough, Dearest. Our influence hasn’t yet spread to Tayhaven, and we aren’t his match when this isn’t our territory. Besides, he’s right. There really isn’t any need for us to offend both the Clinton and Hisson families for the sake of a useless grandson,” Reuben admitted with a low sigh.
Dorothy understood that as well, but she was mortified to return empty-handed.
“It’s the young generation’s world now. Time and tide wait for no one, and we’ve been left far behind,” Reuben lamented.
In the end, the two of them could only return with their tails tucked between their legs. Just when everyone thought that the Halliwell family had given up, thereby relaxing their guard, Tiffany was kidnapped without warning.
When Amelia learned from Derrick that Tiffany had disappeared, she almost fainted.
She rushed to Tiffany’s place with Oscar. “What happened, Derrick? How did Tiff go missing?” she questioned urgently.
“I didn’t see her when I came home from work, and she didn’t pick up my calls either. For that reason, I’d like to borrow some men from Mr. Clinton to help search for her,” Derrick uttered with a somber expression on his face.
“I’ve already sent men out to look for her, dispatching men to the airport, train station, and the like. As long as she makes an appearance at those places, we’ll spot her for sure,” Oscar reassured.
Cradling his head in both hands, Derrick muttered depressingly, “This is on me. She wouldn’t be missing if it weren’t for my negligence.”
