Chapter 304: Oh No, They Were Actually Coming for Me
Even Aurora Donovan and Eloise Donovan were no exception, though they usually only called them after being unable to get through to Arabella Donovan.
Despite the group’s repeated assurances that they were fine, and despite the video clearly showing at the end that they had escaped unharmed, the Donovans still insisted on coming to pick them up.
Arabella Donovan and the others couldn’t refuse, so they found a nearby shop to sit and wait patiently for their family to arrive.
After what had happened, the afternoon tour was definitely off the table.
Arabella Donovan turned to Caspian Rhodes and said apologetically, "I’m sorry, Mr. Rhodes. It looks like we won’t be able to accompany you on the tour of the research institute this afternoon."
"Don’t worry about it. As long as everyone is safe, that’s all that matters. Still, that truck today was very strange. It was as if it was intentionally heading straight for us."
"That’s right." Aurora Donovan gave Caspian Rhodes a complicated look. ’They say your instinctive reactions in a crisis don’t lie.’
’Even though he still couldn’t stand the guy, he couldn’t deny that when the truck had charged them, Caspian Rhodes had rushed out with him to shield Arabella Donovan without a moment’s hesitation.’
’His own reaction was easy to explain; it was the instinct to protect his own flesh and blood. But what was this guy’s excuse?’
"That truck didn’t leave any skid marks as it approached. Even if the brakes failed and the driver lost control, anyone would instinctively try to swerve to avoid pedestrians. But that truck didn’t swerve at all. That leaves only one possibility."
"Third Brother, are you saying you suspect someone was deliberately trying to attack us in broad daylight? That they wanted to..." Arabella Donovan trailed off, pointing at the two men and then at herself.
Aurora Donovan’s expression soured. He glared at Caspian Rhodes and demanded, "Have you offended anyone recently?"
Caspian Rhodes was taken aback, not expecting the blame to suddenly be pinned on him.
"I can’t think of anyone off the top of my head. Besides, Mr. Donovan, what makes you so sure they were after me, and not..."
Aurora Donovan scoffed. "That’s ridiculous. I haven’t even graduated from university and spend most of my time in a lab. I can count the number of people I see all year on both hands. Who could I have possibly offended enough to want me dead? And don’t even get me started on Serena. She’s kind, gentle, and considerate. She only ever builds good relationships with people; there’s no way she’d have an enemy."
"You, on the other hand, Mr. Rhodes, are a businessman running a massive enterprise. There must be plenty of people who covet your fortune or resent your success. As the saying goes, ’Men die for wealth, as birds die for food.’ It’s not impossible that one of your business rivals got the wrong idea and decided to use such dirty tricks when they couldn’t compete fairly."
"You’re mistaken, Mr. Donovan. It’s precisely because I’m a businessman that this is unlikely to involve me. In business, the focus is on amicable dealings to generate wealth. You can never be sure that today’s rival won’t be tomorrow’s partner in a win-win situation. Incidents like today’s are very rare."
"Rarely happening doesn’t mean never happening."
"You’re twisting logic."
"I’m making a rational analysis."
Seeing the two grown men about to start squabbling in front of the three girls, Arabella Donovan looked back and forth between them. A classic scene from some old-school idol drama popped into her head.
’"Stop fighting!" .GIF’
Aurora Donovan and Caspian Rhodes: ???
’Fighting like this won’t kill anyone.’
Aurora Donovan and Caspian Rhodes: ...
Eloise Donovan: "Pfft..."
Melanie Yates jumped and turned to her in surprise. "What is it?"
"N-Nothing." Eloise Donovan hid her face behind her bubble tea cup, desperately trying to stifle her laughter.
’Third Brother and Mr. Rhodes both have a point. Mr. Rhodes runs a massive company and has a big family; it’d be impossible for him not to have enemies. Especially since he recently took over the development of that lakeside plot in the Southward District and the gold mine in the Norwall Outskirts. He’s definitely made plenty of enemies behind the scenes.’
The corners of Aurora Donovan’s mouth lifted, his expression filled with smug satisfaction.
A flicker of doubt crossed Caspian Rhodes’s eyes as well, and he began to mentally review which of his rivals might stoop to such a dirty, vicious tactic.
’However, Third Brother got one thing wrong. It’s true that a normal university student wouldn’t usually attract such a violent disaster, but that might not be the case for a Dr. Donovan who can be both a savior and a world-ending calamity. Plenty of people want him dead. Could it be that someone discovered his extraordinary nature and wants to nip the problem in the bud?’
Eloise Donovan: ???
’Wait a minute, she was only gone for an hour or two. How did her third brother suddenly become a savior and a world-ending calamity? That sounds like the description of a final boss! What shocking piece of gossip did she miss this time?’
Aurora Donovan met Eloise Donovan’s intense stare, which felt like needles on his back, and his eyelid twitched violently.
’Come on, whose side are you on?!’
’If they were really after Third Brother, who could it be? First, I can rule out Julian Spencer. He’s practically desperate to cling to Third Brother for support, begging him to save his family. Derek Kensington is a possibility, but I don’t think he has the nerve...’
Julian Spencer? Derek Kensington? Eloise Donovan’s eyes narrowed. ’Okay, okay. I’m noting these names down, all of them. I’ll talk it over with Mom, Dad, and my brothers when I get back!’
The moment Aurora Donovan saw Eloise’s expression, he knew he wouldn’t be able to escape her questioning. He instantly lost all interest in arguing with Caspian Rhodes, slumping back into his chair with a look of utter defeat, as if his soul had left his body.
Before Arabella Donovan could sort out her thoughts, a long-awaited phone call came through.
"Hello? Mr. Cole? I’m surprised to hear from you. Oh, about the accident... Did you see the video online? We’re fine, just a little shaken. What? You’ve already found out something about the truck? Oh..."
Arabella Donovan’s gasp caught everyone’s attention, and all eyes turned to her.
"Okay, I understand. We’ll head over now. See you in a bit."
The moment Arabella Donovan hung up, Melanie Yates impatiently asked, "What is it? Who was that on the phone?"
"It was Mr. Cole, the one we met at my granduncle’s wedding. He said..."
"What did he say?"
"He said they’ve already got some leads regarding the truck, and he wants us to come to the station to give a statement. He also said..."
Arabella Donovan looked at the tense faces around her, her own expression stiffening. "The target of the person behind the truck... was likely me."
Everyone: ...
A moment later, their expressions shifted from dazed surprise to pure shock and terror.
And with that came a sharp cry from within Arabella Donovan’s mind.
’Crap, they were actually coming for me!!!’