Chapter 781: Calculation

Hance City Prison.

Sean arrived at the prison around nine in the morning, having made an

appointment to meet with Elijah on his phone the day before. Upon

arrival, he was directed by a prison guard to a small room separated

from Elijah by a transparent glass wall.

Sean sat outside while Elijah sat inside, their eyes meeting with

emotional intensity. Although this wasn't the first time they had met

since Elijah's incarceration, Sean could see that his father had aged

considerably.

Both men picked up their phones simultaneously. Sean's voice choked

as he asked softly, "Dad, how are you doing here?"

Elijah nodded and his eyes also reddened slightly as he replied: "We

just saw each other not too long ago. Why are you here again? Did

something happen?”

Sean asked in a low voice: "Did Ayan come to see you?"

Elijah nodded and then recounted everything that Ayan had told him in

detail, exactly what Sean had heard earlier.

"Did he let you go?" Elijah asked next.

Sean avoided eye contact and replied hesitantly: "Yes."

Elijah pressed further: "Did Ayan ask you anything? Did he just let you

go without any conditions or demands?"

Without hiding anything from his father, Sean told him about the deal

that Ayan proposed to him.

Upon hearing it, Elijah’s expression immediately became serious and

tense. He said sternly: "Sean! You're being foolish! How could you tell

Ayan about our relationship? This will cause great harm to Preston.”

Feeling agitated himself now too, Sean retorted back: "Dad! If I didn't

do it this way, then neither of us would be free right now! I was taken

away by Ayan for so many days but Preston did nothing about it. He

clearly had no intention of helping me out. If he really cared about us

even one bit, then surely he would have found some way to get us both

out of here already. He must have all of his connections through the

Norman Family... but look at where we are now - stuck behind bars

while Preston doesn't give any shit about either one of us!"

"That?? s enough!" Interrupted Elijah coldly before continuing on with

furrowed brows and a low voice filled with emotion:

“You know better than anyone else what Preston has been through

over these years... we need to help him no matter what happens."

"Even if it means sacrificing ourselves?" questioned Sean

incredulously.

Throughout his life, his father had constantly instilled in him the idea

that no matter when or where, and no matter what he did, everything

had to revolve around Preston and be in coordination with him, until

Preston accomplished what he wanted to do. But even now, he didn't

know what exactly it was that Preston wanted to do.

He also couldn't accept Elijah's words - sacrificing oneself for the sake

of others seemed too selfless. From Sean's words, Elijah could sense a

lot of emotions brewing within him. He whispered to Sean: "Sean,

Preston has been through a lot over the years and has carried too

much burden. He cannot fail. If he does, he will never be able to turn

things around in his lifetime. You must help him and assist him without

standing with his enemies against him. Do you understand?"

Sean remained silent.

Elijah asked excitedly: "Do I have to kneel down and beg you before

you agree?"

"What is the grudge between him and Ayan? Why does Ayan seem

completely unaware of it? Dad, what are you hiding from me about

what you guys are up to? Can't I even know about it?" Sean asked as

he searched Elijah's eyes.

All along, Sean had no idea about what Elijah and Preston were doing

or why this matter was so important for Preston but there were still no

signs of action being taken yet.

However, Elijah did not tell Sean everything truthfully, instead saying:

"You don't need to worry too much about this matter; just remember

that you must try your best to assist him by helping handle things that

are difficult for him."

"Dad, you are really nice to Preston, which is beyond the duty of an

uncle to a nephew. You are asking me to do everything for him as your

own son. Now Ayan is watching me. Do you think Ayan will not know if I

do something?"

Sean sneered, his words filled with sarcasm. His father wouldn't tell him

the truth, and he wouldn't ask Ayan, either. His father got to where he

was now for helping Preston. Should he follow his steps?

This is not what he wants. He can't let his whole life be ruined because

of someone else. He is incapable of such generosity.

His silence made Elijah uneasy as well, but both were his families he

cared deeply for, how would he balance their relationships?

Sean didn't want to continue the conversation any longer. He just

reminded Elijah to take good care of himself inside and assured him

that he had everything under control outside. As long as Preston wasn't

too ruthless, he wouldn't do anything too extreme.

After their conversation, Sean watched as Elijah was taken away by the

prison guards before finally getting up and leaving. However, once he

got in his car, he sat there for a while without starting the engine.

His mind was filled with questions about what Preston was planning

and what secrets he might be hiding. These thoughts were

uncontrollable and left him unable to find any convincing answers.

Sean sent the entire conversation between him and Elijah to Kian

without leaving out a single word. Kian played for Ayan. After listening

to it all, Kian shared a knowing glance with Ayan.

Ayan spoke indifferently: "Our guess was right. Preston isn't just after

me but also after the Simpson family. So our suspicions still lie with

them.”

However, it seemed like neither Old Simpson wanted to talk about it. Or

did Fletcher even know about it?

Ayan narrowed his eyes slightly as complex emotions swirled within

them.

Kian whispered, "If our suspicions are correct then investigating the

Simpson Family is good news for us, because we can focus on them

instead of wasting time on Preston or others.”

“It makes sense, but do you think you can get Grandpa to talk? If this is

really about the Simpson family and Preston's reaction is so intense, it

must be a big thing. If Grandpa wanted to hide it, it would be better to

start investigating from someone else." But the investigation was

aimless and difficult, which left Ayan stranded for a while.

Ayan sighed softly before saying emotionlessly: "Let's prepare for both

scenarios then - keep investigating while I try my best to get Old

Simpson talking honestly."

Kian nodded in agreement before Ayan headed back over to The

Simpsons’ mansion once again - this time not discussing anything in

front of Fletcher or Talia but rather speaking alone with Old Simpson

under the guise of work-related matters.

He walked into the old Simpson bedroom. The old man and his

grandson were sitting face to face. Old Simpson's cloudy eyes

scrutinized him as he asked, "You're not planning on asking me to be

your mediator for something you did to Cami, are you? If that's the

case, don't bother. I won't agree no matter what."

Ayan smiled helplessly. "Can't you hope for something good from me?"

"What good can come from someone who sneaks around like a thief?"

“I just want to talk with you alone. Is that not okay?"

Old Simpson didn't seem to believe him and stared at Ayan with

caution. He acted coldly as if Ayan had committed some unforgivable

crime and said, "If you have something to say, say it quickly. I still have

to accompany Timmy in his online early education class later.”

"Okay then." Ayan was becoming more aware of how low his status

was becoming in the Simpson family but didn't mind it too much. With a

helpless smile on his lips and a hoarse voice, he asked," Grandpa, do

you know Preston?"