"With this new medication, Umbrella is truly thriving..."
"As a board member of Umbrella, Charlie Edward is now sought after by many..."
"During our visit to the Edward estate, we might encounter numerous business moguls and celebrities..."
The group had shifted their focus to the business elite, somewhat overlooking the celebrities. For most of them, except for Penelope and Mulan, celebrities were commonplace and failed to pique their curiosity. Mulan and Penelope, who rarely watched television or followed stars, held little interest in the glamorous life.
Business tycoons, however, were different. They might be collaborators or competitors, so paying attention to them made sense.
"All of that is secondary; what's important are the materials below..."
These materials detailed Umbrella's major activities over the past two years, documenting the company's efforts to recruit elite personnel worldwide.
"Every two years, this marks the third time... They are actively acquiring various companies and forming well-trained security personnel, operating like mercenaries, constantly training..."
"These actions are quite covert; on the surface, it doesn't appear that the company is in control... Furthermore, there are even more secretive maneuvers... For instance, using illegal means to coerce if acquisitions fail... or resorting to theft when encountering certain items..."
"Most concerning is that our estate could also be at risk from this company's actions..."
Upon reading this, everyone in the vehicle fell silent, their attention glued to the documents. Despite the year that had passed, the attack on the estate felt as fresh as if it had happened yesterday. The memory of the warriors who had died before them lingered, and every thought of it stirred emotions.
After the incident, no one had mentioned it again, but they had all kept it in their minds, asking Hodal to investigate the circumstances in secret to identify any suspicious culprits.
The perpetrators had proven to be elusive; ordinary methods yielded no leads, and the information was pieced together through speculation and careful elimination.
"It is certain that the attack on the estate is closely related to the Edward family!"
"…"
With such words, didn't that mean their host was their enemy? Wasn't it dangerous to go to such a place?
At this point, the conversation halted, and they silently activated the satellite, directing its view toward the Edward estate.
The Edward estate was bustling, a stark contrast to its previous tranquility, with the parking lot filled with luxury vehicles.
Upon closer inspection, the cars were all renowned models from major corporations, whether sleek sports cars or high-end family vehicles. From cool and understated to flamboyant and opulent, they were all present. These cars were either the most expensive of their kind, limited editions, or custom-made vehicles.
The camera zoomed in on the license plates, and the owners' details appeared before them. They found that these individuals were either well-known figures or discreetly wealthy nobles, their fortunes substantial. The least wealthy among them were some stars looking for opportunities to make extra money.
"There shouldn't be any danger."
The vehicle continued to inch closer to the estate.
"By the way, I almost forgot about this person."
As the projection flickered, a new image appeared. The man was quite handsome but lacked the youthful appearance of the previous Edward. He also didn't possess the same aristocratic aura; instead, he looked like a polished celebrity, yet not quite a star.
"Joe Cook!"
"No! He should now be called Joe Edward!"
"Joe Edward? Did he change his name? Hmm? He looks somewhat familiar."
"He does look familiar; he bears a resemblance to House."
Zhao Lun pulled up some real images of House, and everyone had seen House's pictures recently. Normally, House was a striking young man, and if he weren't perpetually intoxicated, he would surely attract many admirers.
The image of the man before them bore a five-point resemblance to House. According to the information, he was indeed House's father, who had now adopted the Edward surname, completely shedding his old identity to become a member of the Edward family.
"This is his wife."
The image displayed a woman with a plump physique, appearing fuller than average, especially in her bosom, which looked as if it held two footballs. Such a figure was generally acceptable, but her round face made it difficult to see her eyes.
The final image was a couple's portrait, with the woman nestled in the man's embrace, looking blissfully content.
"Joe Cook's rise to this level is truly remarkable..."
Seeing House's father looking so 'happy,' they couldn't help but admire what he had achieved, something many ordinary people could never accomplish.
"Our attack may also be related to Mr. Joe Cook, or rather, Joe Edward."
...
The Edward estate was vast, and Zhao Lun felt that his own estate could only fill a quarter of its expanse.
That wasn't the most important aspect; what mattered was that this estate occupied such a significant area in the capital of this nation. As a private estate, its value far surpassed that of his 'remote' property.
Moreover, this estate was not something that could be acquired merely with wealth; it required power and influence as well.
If an ordinary person owned such a property, the annual property taxes would surely lead them to bankruptcy and homelessness.
However, this was the Edward family; this estate belonged to their ancestral domain, exempt from any fees.
Typically, this estate was quiet, but today it was lively, with increased security both externally and internally.
As Zhao Lun's vehicle approached, they presented their invitations, and a designated attendant escorted them to the parking area, activating the estate's electric car to transport them to the reception hall.
Inside the reception hall, many guests had already arrived. Yet, it wasn't noisy; instead, the entire hall resonated with serene piano melodies, leading one to believe they were attending a concert.
Upon their arrival, almost all eyes turned toward them. The guests were captivated by the stunning women in their company, their gazes filled with unmasked admiration. Recognizing the trio immediately, they were struck by their beauty.
These guests were all people of significance, and even if they were amazed, they approached with restraint, refraining from rushing over to greet them.