CHAPTER 525: CHAPTER 525: SUBSTITUTE

In the blink of an eye, several days passed.

A secluded villa.

"Boss, something interesting happened at the Quinn family today. Jack Quinn’s plump wife wanted to take him away, ended up arguing with Old Mr. Quinn, and made him so mad he fainted."

"Hahaha... That fisherman’s plump daughter sure knows how to stir things up. Old Mr. Quinn is no match for her!"

"Isn’t that right? Old Mr. Quinn is up there in age, practically with one foot in the grave. How could he possibly take on that plump woman? Besides, that plump woman is already pregnant with Jack’s child. Even if Old Mr. Quinn doesn’t like this granddaughter-in-law, Jack’s parents won’t let him kick her out."

"Not only that, Jack seems to have lost his mind; at the fisherman’s place, he was completely dominated by this plump woman, and when he got to the Quinn family, he didn’t even recognize Old Mr. Quinn or his parents. During the intense argument with Old Mr. Quinn, Jack didn’t dare utter a word, so it’s no wonder Old Mr. Quinn would be furious seeing his grandson like this."

"Hey, Boss, why aren’t you laughing? Isn’t what I’m saying funny?"

Wind felt puzzled. The boss had him send Jack back to Old Mr. Quinn’s home just to watch the drama unfold, right?

Now, with all the chaos happening at the Quinn family, so much pleasing news, why isn’t the boss smiling? Instead, he looks so gloomy?

Wind glanced at Thunder, who wore a smile on his face.

"What’s up with the boss?"

Wind approached Thunder and asked quietly.

"He’s lost his soul."

Thunder whispered in Wind’s ear.

"What? The boss lost his soul? When did this happen? I’ll find a Taoist priest to call the soul back."

Without thinking, Wind blurted out, only to have Thunder cover his mouth.

"Who lost their soul?" Richie turned his head, displeased, looking at Wind and Thunder.

"Haha... Wind lost his soul, Boss. I’ll immediately take him to call it back." Thunder said guiltily, dragging Wind outside.

Wind’s eyes widened at the boss: Who lost their soul? Damn it, explain yourself. You were the one who said the boss lost his soul, yet you don’t dare admit it in front of him.

Outside.

Wind forcefully pulled away Thunder’s hand, ready to fight him.

Thunder took two steps back, smiling brightly: "Bro, don’t fight. Wasn’t that out of necessity just now?"

When someone tells you a secret, why shout it so loudly?

Trying to get me killed?

Wind’s fingers cracked.

"You better have a reasonable explanation, or I’ll punch you regardless."

"Don’t be impulsive, bro. I have a reasonable explanation." Thunder glanced inside, ensuring Richie hadn’t come out, then whispered to Wind: "The boss misses Ivana, he’s going crazy."

"..." Wind.

"You wouldn’t believe it, but these past couple of days, I’ve seen the boss secretly print out Ivana’s photos, and every day he just stares at them in his room."

"Really? Could you be mistaken?" Wind knew Richie liked Ivana, but if the boss were doing something so crazy, it was hard to believe.

The boss, with his looks and skills, would make women scream just walking down the street. Such an outstanding man doesn’t need to become so lovelorn over Ivana.

Even though Ivana is Leon’s wife, does the boss really need to make an enemy of Leon over her?

But there are so many beautiful women in the world, and finding someone who resembles Ivana should be easy.

"No mistake, haven’t you noticed? The boss never used to lock his room, sometimes didn’t even close the door. Now look, it’s tightly locked, hard to get in."

Wind frowned. Thunder was right; the boss’s door did seem to be always closed these days.

"What do we do? The boss being like this can’t be good; it’s a matter of time before it affects his health."

"How should I know what to do? If Ivana weren’t Leon’s wife, we might encourage the boss to pursue her, but she is Leon’s wife, and I don’t want to make Leon an enemy."

Wind didn’t want that either.

"Maybe, find a substitute?"

Thunder’s eyes sparkled.

"That’s possible."

Leon had just been discharged from the hospital when he received a call from the company, mentioning a financial issue with funds not circulating properly.

"Where’s Derrick? Tell him to call me."

Leon’s handsome face was filled with anger.

"Derrick... he resigned half a month ago."

"What?"

Leon was surprised, Derrick needed his approval to resign.

Why didn’t Derrick apply for resignation?

Leon felt something amiss.

The caller trembled.

"Specific reasons... I don’t know either, Derrick was high-level, I’m just a low-level employee and don’t have the authority to question my superiors."

"Is Secretary Sullivan still there?"

"Shortly after Derrick left, Secretary Sullivan resigned too."

Leon hung up the phone.

Ivana, holding three children, saw the troubled look on Leon’s face and asked, "Is something wrong at the company?"

"Yes, there are financial problems, Derrick and Secretary Sullivan resigned for unknown reasons. Honey, I need to head to the company."

"No, you just got out of the hospital; the doctor advised you to rest and not to work on company matters."

"Honey, I promise I’ll just take a look and come back."

"That’s still a no."

"Honey, I can’t disobey you this time. You know what financial issues at the company mean..."

Ivana’s heart tightened. Since returning to the country, GK had already faced a financial crisis, so she knew better than anyone what this meant.

However, she was more concerned about Leon’s health.

After a brief contemplation, Ivana said, "Leon, if you trust me, let me help you."

Leon’s dark eyes showed surprise. Seeing the concern in Ivana’s eyes, he felt warmth throughout; he definitely trusted her.

"Maybe I can’t completely solve the financial crisis, but I can find out the reason behind it and why Derrick and Secretary Sullivan left without a word?"

"Okay."

Ivana smiled, and bent down to Nicole, saying, "Nicole, you have to help Aunt Ivana ensure Uncle Kane stays home and rests well, okay?"

Nicole saluted Ivana: "Consider it done."

Ivana laughed as she ruffled Nicole’s little head.

Leon frowned; Nicole was too obedient to Ivana. Having her supervise might be a hassle, so he had to call Howard to pick Nicole up and take her to Ivy Linden.

After all, she wasn’t his daughter, no need to keep her around every day.

Ivana drove Leon home and then headed to the company.

Leon said to Ian, who was holding a computer, "Ian, go to Kane Group and help your mommy."

"Daddy, I’m only six years old."