Chapter 524: Chapter 525: Board Meeting (Part One)

It was none other than Odin. Odin’s eyes inadvertently swept across the person who had just exclaimed, but it was not longer than a moment. The corners of his mouth slightly curled up as his eyes darted at Ivan.

Odin’s appearance stunned Ivan, but he was much calmer compared with the others who were shocked. Contrary to what he was expecting, everyone’s expression disappointed Odin. He entertained the idea that they would pale at the sight of him, not because he was there but because he was back from the dead. However, surprise was there, but it didn’t last long for his satisfaction.

The reason why they were calmer than Odin thought was because this stunt wasn’t news anymore.

Three months ago, Rachel, who had been “dead” for four years, materialized in front of them. Seeing her then was like seeing a ghost. That trick had been used, so it was not that enthralling anymore. It was always the first time that would snatch away the audience’s astonishment.

When Odin appeared, the shock they felt died down right after it struck them. After all, if Rachel could come to life four years after jumping into the sea and dying right in front of many people, the same could happen to Odin. He had only been dead for a few months, not to mention the news of his death was from abroad. They didn’t personally see his corpse or other empirical evidence that could prove his death.

“Ivan, long time no see. What’s wrong? Don’t you recognize me?” Odin stepped forward and stood before Ivan. He threw Wallace, who was behind him, a glance and his eyes darkened imperceptibly Ivan’s jaw tightened. He greeted him in between gritted teeth, “Mr. Sullivan.”

“We haven’t seen each other for so many years. You haven’t changed, I see.”

With his hand tucked in his pocket, Odin added, “Your greeting is so stiff. You’re becoming more and more like my dear brother.”

His remark rendered Ivan speechless. Without waiting for Ivan’s reply, Odin turned his head and looked at Wallace. With an arched brow, he asked, “Who is this?”

Ivan was about to introduce Wallace when the latter extended his hand and initiated, “Mr. Sullivan, I’m Wallace Finch, the director of the technology department.”

“Wallace Finch.” Odin called out his name thoughtfully, all while ignoring Wallace’s stretched hand.

Wallace’s hand hung in the air. His attempt for a handshake was disregarded and it was enough to paint his face a pale shade of red. Ivan sent a side glance at Wallace. The latter reluctantly withdrew his hand and explained, “It’s normal that you don’t know me, Mr. Sullivan. I’ve just been in the Sullivan Group for about a month.”

“Mr. Sullivan, your brother is not in the company. I’ll ask someone to clean your office now, but I ask for your patience. Please wait for a while,” Ivan said.

“He isn’t in the company?” Odin had a pitiful look on his face.

“I wanted to share some good news with him. It’s a pity that he’s not here.” A baffled expression swayed on Ivan’s face as Odin talked.

With a smile, Odin said, “But it doesn’t matter. He should be in prison and will know soon anyway.”

For the second time since Odin emerged, Ivan was stunned. But he was not alone in that state of confusion, so did everyone else. In prison? Did Odin know that Victor was taken away? But he just got here. How could he possibly know? Better yet, what was Odin’s motive for coming back at this time?

In just a few seconds, Odin’s revelation spawned heaps of questions, and more inquiries were hatched as they looked at Odin. Inexplicably, they could all think of one thing: Odin’s retum was for something far beyond simple.

“Mr. Sullivan, your brother must be happy that you’re back safe and sound. This is indeed good news!”

Ivan was able to contain the shock that escaped him. When he spoke, he was calm.

“After all, after you had an accident, he exchanged his rest for several days in worrying about you.”

Odin narrowed his eyes and asked, “Really?”

Ivan gave him the vaguest answer: silence. Yet his eyes seemed to be asking in return, “What do you think?”

“I thought my brother would be delighted to know that I was dead,” Odin commented jokingly, raising his eyebrows.

Over the years, the two of them had maintained a seemingly harmonious relationship. They were brothers, after all. However, it wasn’t a secret that one of them was an illegitimate child secretly given birth to by a maid. To make things worse, their biological father didn’t favor the by-blow.

No matter how harmonious the two behaved, the others always knew that they were destined to be enemies from the moment they were born. Even so, years went by and Victor and Odin didn’t show any signs of treading down the path of what the others prophesied to happen, so the outsiders only dared to discuss it secretly.

Hearing Odin say that seemingly meant joke tore apart the hypocritical mask he had been wearing about their brotherhood. Even if it sounded like a joke, any listener would assume differently of what he said. Ivan could barely maintain his calm expression; he was on the verge of frowning. A thick tension overrun everyone and it rattled their nerves.

Some people even began to regret not leaving earlier. They might have returned to their own office, drowning themselves in work and not having to stand here and listening to the awkward conversation “Mr. Sullivan, Mr. Chavez, well… I have a few important emails to tend to, so I have to go back to work.

Excuse me.” After a moment of silence, someone finally couldn’t help but speak. Ivan nodded.

“Thank you all for your hard work today. You can go.”

When the others heard this, they hurriedly pivoted and were about to leave, but before they could take a step, the two men in black behind Odin scurried and stopped everyone from vacating the place.

Ivan’s face darkened.

“Mr. Sullivan,” he cautioned.

“Are you really going to work?” Ignoring Ivan, Odin turned around and his eyes flicked from face to face, scanning everyone. Everyone kept silent, trying hard to avoid meeting Odin’s eyes. They just wanted to escape this place.

“Mr. Sullivan, don’t worry. Although your brother is not in the company, we’re tied to our oath to be diligent with our work, and we will do better than when he was in the company. Rest assured that we won’t slack off!”

“I apologize. I shouldn’t have doubted your dedication,” Odin returned with a ghost of a smile. Beads of sweat started to glimmer on the forehead of the man who just spoke, and he swallowed.

“The Sullivan Group is lucky to have talents like you.” Odin made his tone sound casual, hiding away the threat with a faint grin.

“But work can wait. Why don’t you stay and listen to the good news I brought?” Looking at the men in black with cold faces, they didn’t think Odin’s words were a question; it was an order.

Everyone’s eyes fell on Ivan, seeking help from the dilemma they didn’t want to be in. Ivan couldn’t figure out what was in Odin’s mind. A frown crippled the serenity he was sporting as he stood his ground against Odin. He was still thinking about the sudden disclosure about Victor’s detainment. Odin turned around and said, “Ivan, I don’t think it’s too much to keep you a moment. Am I right?”

“Mr. Sullivan, don’t say that. I’m just an employee of the Sullivan Group. I should do what the leader asks me to do.”

“Then please go back to the meeting room.”

Although Ivan was livid about receiving orders from him, he kept his lips tightly shut, and Odin was pleased to see that. A group of more than a dozen people returned to the meeting room in confusion.

They just came out five minutes ago. What else should they discuss? Walking at the back of the line, Ivan took out his phone and called Carson.

The phone kept ringing, but two minutes passed and all he could hear was a beeping sound. The frown on his forehead creased more. As soon as he raised his head, he caught sight of Odin’s meaningful smile.

Ivan put away his phone, walked into the meeting room and sat down. The announcement Odin was going to make should be the answer to all of his perplexity.

“The first good news is that I will hold a board meeting in this same room in a week.”