RISE OF BETRAYED SON-IN-LAW

6. A Bitter Accident

"At this meeting, I announced that Oliver John Hermingways is the heir to the Moore NYU Group..."

Mr. Liam had just made the announcement in front of the investors at the meeting in his hotel. Beside Mr. Liam, Oliver stood as he bowed in salute.  

"I know you will wonder who he is for suddenly appearing at this time. I deliberately did not expose Oliver for reasons that cannot be told."

Mr. Liam immediately turned his gaze towards Oliver. With a small, curved smile, Mr. Liam held Oliver's shoulders proudly.

"For years I only told you that I had an only son.

"But now, I will tell you... Oliver also holds Moore NYU Hotel & Resort and is developing it into a more thriving tourism."

Some investors who heard Mr. Liam's explanation still looked confused. They were quite surprised by this sudden news.

On the wide podium, Oliver then said, "Greetings, Dear Investors. I sincerely hope you accept my existence although I'm sure it's not easy."

Having said that, Oliver continued, "I can assure you not to withdraw the investment funds to Moore NYU Hotel & Resort. Now that the leadership of Moore NYU Hotel & Resort has been transferred to me, I'm already working on some business innovations..."

The LED screen behind Oliver then lit up displaying a graphic of the business plan. Oliver and Mr. Liam walked backwards slightly out of the way for all the investors in the ballroom to read.

"The items listed here have been discussed with my father, Mr. Liam. As you can see, there will be some changes to our hotel system.

"What I can assure you from the business innovation plan here is that... I am trying to ensure that your investment money will be managed into various aspects of the Moore NYU Hotel & Resort's system renewal."

Mr. Liam couldn't help but smile as he listened to Oliver explain. Last night, they had indeed discussed about some business innovations for Moore NYU Hotel & Resort in the future.

"I don't promise to move Moore NYU Hotel & Resort forward quickly, but I assure you that there will be progress."

Oliver gave a formal smile at the end of his sentence. He bowed to the investors who applauded.  

The confused expressions on the investors' faces slowly faded away. Now they looked more enthusiastic.

"Is there anything you'd like to ask? I'd like to give you some time," Oliver said.

For a moment, the ballroom was quiet. No investors raised their hands. But not long after, Oliver saw someone raise their hand while standing up.

Oliver's attention was fully focused on a man wearing glasses. Oliver curved his formal smile.

"I'm a reporter from MYP News Entertainment. I'd like to ask you a simple question. You're Moore NYU Hotel & Resort is threatened with bankruptcy, right?"

Oliver's smile faded slightly after hearing what the man with glasses said. Oliver suddenly felt an uneasy premonition.

"If the leadership of Moore NYU Hotel & Resort passes to you, can you guarantee that no bankruptcy will occur?" the man asked.

Suddenly, the atmosphere in the ballroom turned rather tense. The question sounded quite sensitive because it alluded to Moore NYU Hotel & Resort being threatened with bankruptcy.

Oliver did not answer immediately. He briefly looked at Mr. Liam for approval. He considered whether to answer the question or not.

Oliver was just worried that after he answered, there would be another trick question. Mr. Liam, his father, had told him several methods of trick questions to avoid.

He had to do that so that his leadership period would not cause a scandal.  

"I will try to keep Moore NYU Hotel & Resort from reaching the point of bankruptcy," Oliver replied in a calm tone.

The bespectacled man who asked the question only nodded briefly. His smile was curved, but somehow Oliver caught a glimpse of cynicism on his face.

Oliver suddenly felt that something was wrong with the man with glasses. But because the presentation session was over, Oliver immediately pushed away his bad thoughts.

After finishing presenting the entire business innovation, Oliver and Mr. Liam went downstage. Oliver immediately met some of Mr. Liam's business relations.

In the middle of a conversation with Mr. Liam's business relations, Oliver accidentally saw the man with the journalist's glasses. Oliver, who was still curious, finally said goodbye to Mr. Liam.

"I want to leave for a while, I have something important to make sure of," Oliver said.

Before Mr. Liam answered, Oliver had already stepped after the man with glasses. His movements were very deft, sneaking between the investors in the room.

Until finally Oliver's steps came out of this ballroom. Oliver was still sharpening his eyes so as not to lose track of the man with glasses.

Oliver's steps arrived at the lobby floor of Moore's hotel. Oliver saw that the man with glasses seemed to be calling someone.  

Oliver continued to follow the man with glasses until he passed the exit of the hotel's main lobby. His steps only slowed down when he realized the suspicious bespectacled man was meeting someone.

At that moment Oliver was surprised to see who the bespectacled man met the journalist.

It was Robin, Lily's personal secretary.

"What's Robin meeting with that reporter for?" asked Oliver muttering.

It wasn't long before Robin invited the bespectacled journalist into the car. They left together. Leaving Oliver still stunned where he stood.

"Wait. Why do I have such an uneasy feeling?" muttered Oliver.

Oliver re-entered the Moore NYU Hotel & Resort building. Several hours passed for Oliver and Mr. Liam to chat with business relations.

When they returned home, Oliver and Mr. Liam were exhausted in the car. It was getting late. Oliver and Mr. Liam sat in the middle row of the car seats while resting their tiredness.

"You've never done this in your life, have you?" asked Mr. Liam.

Oliver shook his head. "No, and it's very tiring," he said.

Mr. Liam chuckled. "You'll be able to carry out your responsibilities as the owner of Moore NYU Hotel & Resort."

"Seeing how the investors are so assertive and always threatening, I doubt I can keep their investment funds," Oliver retorted.

"However, only you can do this. I can't trust anyone else, Oliver," Mr. Liam retorted.

Oliver suddenly remembered the reporter's suspicious bespectacled man. He hadn't said anything to Mr. Liam about the man.

"Mr. Liam, have there been people trying to bring you down during your time managing Moore NYU Hotel & Resort?"

Mr. Liam was somewhat surprised to hear Oliver's words. But his surprise did not last long.

"Of course there were. There are so many. What I suspect more is your family-in-law, Lily's family,"

Oliver frowned, a little taken aback at the mention of Lily's family.

"You know my family-in-law?" asked Oliver.

"Of course I do. Do you think I'm not watching you?" Mr. Liam gave a satisfied smile.

Oliver was still silent.

"I was honestly worried that I wouldn't find you, Oliver. I don't know how long I'll live because so many people are after me," Mr. Liam said.

After hearing Mr. Liam's words, Oliver frowned. Oliver didn't know why Mr. Liam said that.

"If I haven't found you, I'm the only one left in our family. I'm very afraid that Moore NYU Company will fall into the wrong hands."

"..."

"That's why I trust you so much, Oliver. I'm sorry for seeming to neglect you for so many years. Now I will make amends by giving you the life you deserve," said Mr. Liam.

Oliver stared at Mr. Liam. At that moment, he noticed that Mr. Liam's eyes were softer. There was an implied guilt.

For the first time, Oliver felt a father's love. His doubts towards Mr. Liam instantly faded away.  

"Why do you say that?" asked Oliver.

Mr. Liam shook his head with a sweet smile.

"I don't know why I feel the need to tell you this," Mr. Liam said, then took Oliver's hand.

"You need to be able to take care of yourself even when I'm not around," Mr. Liam continued.

Right at that moment, Oliver saw the glare of the lights bouncing off him. It slowly faded and then became very bright.

Oliver squinted his eyes as he looked over. He was immediately shocked after realizing the glare came from a vehicle that was driving towards this car.

For a split second Oliver's body stiffened. Oliver watched the bright lights get closer and closer as the truck drove towards this car.

There was nothing Oliver could do.

The last thing he felt was the car trying to swerve out of the way. But the big truck hit him hard from the side.

The violent collision dragged Mr. Liam's car several meters until it flipped over.

Oliver didn't remember anything. Except for the shards of glass piercing his skin, his body crushed in the middle of the car seat, and his vision blurring.

At that moment Oliver saw that Mr. Liam was unconscious and full of blood. With his remaining strength, Oliver removed the seat-belt.

"Mr. Liam... wake up!" Oliver whispered in pain.