On his way back, Victor Parker kept gazing at the streetlights outside. Things were more troublesome than he anticipated. At the very least, he didn't expect that those around him had already become part of this script.
"President, it's Miss Lowe."
At the hotel entrance, the woman who has been lingering around was indeed Isabella Lowe.
Because his home was being renovated, Victor Parker had been staying at the hotel recently.
As Victor Parker got out of the car, Isabella Lowe walked up, "Victor, I have something to ask you."
"If it's about the design project, you should know better than I do." Victor Parker walked past her directly into the hotel.
"Victor Parker, do you really trust her that much?" Isabella Lowe rushed in front of Victor, blocking his path, "Victor Parker, we are the ones who grew up together."
Victor stopped and looked at the woman standing in front of him, "Polly was right beside me when she drafted the initial design."
Isabella was momentarily stunned, the color drained slightly from her face, "So what? There are overlapping designs in this world..."
"Two people with entirely different worldviews, and you're telling me they could come up with the same design, Isabella? Do you even believe that yourself?" Victor interrupted her weak argument, "Save some face for yourself; not everything needs to be said clearly."
"Victor Parker." Isabella called out loudly to the person who was about to leave, "Why her? Even Sophie Lynn is better than her, why does it have to be her?"
"Send Miss Lowe home, tell Mr. Lowe that Miss Lowe is not in her right mind, and it's better for her not to go out much these days." Without looking back, Victor walked straight to the elevator.
Andrew Lindsey quickly stepped forward to block Isabella's path, "Miss Lowe."
With resentment, Isabella watched Victor leave without even a glance, not willing to spare her a single look?
******
The next day, Polly Sutton was brought to the hotel by Andrew Lindsey as soon as she was discharged. Polly, drinking milk tea, kept looking around, "You're only getting milk tea from me for a month, you wouldn't sell me off, right?"
As she spoke, Polly took another large sip of her milk tea, determined not to be shortchanged.
Andrew led her to the hotel room door, "That's not likely."
Andrew opened the door and handed over a well-known brand cup of coffee to Polly.
Polly received the coffee with distaste, "Has he gone bankrupt and sold his house, why is he staying in a hotel?"
"You're overthinking, come in." Victor took the coffee cup from her hand and turned back inside.
Polly, holding her milk tea, entered. Andrew stood at the door and did not go in.
Upon entering, Polly saw the model on the table. The model occupied the entire table, covered by a big glass dome.
Momentarily forgetting any argument she had planned to have, Polly quickened her steps, running over to examine the complete model in utter amazement.
Beyond the main building, there was lush greenery and trickling streams. Polly set down her milk tea, observing everything inside with scrupulous attention.
"Is the water flow powered by electricity? I didn't see a plug." Polly asked curiously.
"I've never opened this model since I got it, twenty-three years now."
Polly: "..."
Polly straightened up, looking at Victor with evident shock and incredulity in her big eyes, "So, this is a complete ecological system inside, the plants and water are actually from twenty-three years ago?"
Victor nodded, "That's what makes the Wonders of Waters the most amazing, and something no one can replicate despite countless attempts." Leaning against the wall, Victor said as he drank his coffee, "However, this is the only opportunity to save the Parker Corporation. I have to let you try."
Polly took out her glasses from her bag, intending to examine it thoroughly.
Victor didn't disturb her; she watched the model, he watched her.
After observing for a while, Polly furrowed her brow and spoke, "This doesn't seem right. Are you sure this model is completely replicated? Just different in size."
Victor nodded, "Yes."
The confusion on Polly's face grew. Something was off about the wood, and the brackets and eaves used in the main building as well — things she understood that Old Mr. Rook certainly wouldn't have missed.
"How many years did the Wonders of Waters exist in total?" Polly turned to Victor.
"According to the Parker Corporation's history, it lasted ten years, but it has been too long and back then nothing was systematically managed, so errors in records are inevitable."
"It is rumored that the Wonders of Waters had to be demolished due to national development, but if this truly is an original replica, it wouldn't last ten years, not even one."
"What do you mean?" Victor furrowed his brow and looked at Polly.
"I'm not sure, but this wood is definitely not right. Although it's expensive, if used for constructing a house — if I'm correct, once you open the box, even a breeze would collapse this model instantly."
Victor's gaze shifted to the model and abruptly called Andrew inside.
"Handle the company affairs. I have something to attend to." Saying that, Victor left briskly.
Polly: "..."
Polly and Andrew exchanged glances; neither knew what had happened, only sensing that Victor was very serious when he left.
What did she say?
She only mentioned that the wood seemed off; perhaps they chose different wood for this model intentionally.
That's entirely possible.
After all, it's just a model, no need to use excellent wood for it.
Victor drove straight out to the countryside. A guard stood at the entrance of a seemingly rundown house, but upon seeing Victor's vehicle, let him through. Once Victor drove in through the garage entrance of the shabby house, it revealed an entirely different world inside.
Inside, computers were running at high speed, and everyone was busy with their tasks. Data on the large screen kept changing repeatedly.
"President Parker." Someone greeted him, "Edgar Lucas has been here for two days."
Victor entered after iris verification, stepping into one of the offices, "I know where Mr. Morris's wealth originated."
The man inside, over fifty, had a solemn square face.
"Is this the reason for leaving the country unauthorizedly?"
Victor paid no mind to the man's rebuke, "Back then, the first batch of unnumbered timber Mr. Morris acquired was originally tagged by the Parker Family but was later dismantled and processed as scrap material."
Victor found the records of all valuable timber numbers reported by the Parker Corporation over the years on the computer. Looking at those numbers, Victor had a sense of something inevitable.
"So, the Rook family's deaths were not accidental, or rather, Mason Rook discovered this secret and was killed for it." Edgar continued the speculation, "Then he really is worse than a beast!"
"Therefore, just the news of the Wonders of Waters being rebuilt will surely draw out Mr. Morris. By investigating the people who handled timber back then, we can quickly uncover his true identity. Victor, you should..."
"The rebuilding of the Wonders of Waters cannot be spread," Victor immediately responded.
"It's the best method."
"Then are you prepared for another Mason Rook? Who can guarantee the designer's safety once this matter is leaked?"
"Designer?" Edgar looked momentarily perplexed, seemingly unaware of why this protégé suddenly cared about a designer so much.