Chapter 947 - 494: Worlds Apart in Intelligence

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Today, all financial news outlets are reporting unusual fluctuations in the stock prices of a subsidiary under the Hughes Clan. This is the first occurrence of stock price volatility since Joshua Hughes took over the Hughes Clan. Yet, up until now, Hughes Clan has not provided any explanation or clarification.

"Swallow these two transactions," Joshua Hughes said as he watched the numbers jumping on the computer screen. He could observe everything from each data point, possessing a natural sensitivity to numbers.

"I can bet this transaction and this transaction, without even looking at the seat number, I can guess they were released by Luis Hughes." Joshua Hughes pointed at the two orders on the screen, smirking as he spoke to Julian Carter.

Julian Carter believed this. He could identify who was buying and selling without looking at any records or seat numbers.

:"We’ve already acquired quite a bit now, and our company has become its largest shareholder. After yesterday’s afternoon market close, we acquired twelve percent through block trading, and there’s another order today. Your own company has taken over your Hughes Clan’s subsidiary. What are your thoughts? Fun, isn’t it?" This game was incredibly entertaining. In the world of capital maneuvering, Joshua Hughes had a talent and a sharp eye. Hughes Clan’s foundation was just too deep; otherwise, their growth over the past decade would not have been as strong as their own company.

"It truly is fun, but Hughes Clan is so deeply entrenched. It takes some effort to uproot and cut off these intertwined branches. By the way, how is the investigation I asked you to conduct?" The cigarette between his fingers could not calm his agitated mood. It was not due to business; it was personal—it was Avery Jane. What was she thinking, suddenly becoming completely unfathomable?

He could unravel the story behind every number but not the human heart—or rather, he could understand many people’s hearts but not Avery Jane’s. Because he loved her too much, his heart had become cautious and panicked, unable to see her clearly anymore.

"Due to the passage of time, the drugs you mentioned only exist in your memory now. If you truly suspect something, there’s only one way—to exhume the coffin and examine the corpse, but that’s highly disrespectful. Would you dare?" Julian Carter spoke seriously, knowing this issue had troubled Joshua Hughes for many years without answers.

But he felt Joshua Hughes wouldn’t dare to exhume the coffin. After all, he loved his father so much. In the U.S. cultural norms, exhuming a coffin is a great disrespect to the deceased.

"President Hughes, Alexander King is coming up; he’s already on the elevator." The sweet voice of the secretary came through the phone. Shortly afterward, Alexander King arrived upstairs, opening the door to a room filled with cigarette smoke.

"Why didn’t you tell me you were back? I would have prepared a welcome for you." Alexander King saw Julian Carter, a hint of surprise in his eyes. Even he had returned; it seemed Hughes Clan was truly having issues.

He believed it wouldn’t be long before significant changes occurred.

"I arrived yesterday and haven’t had time to tell you yet." Julian Carter smiled lightly, "I heard Young Master King got married?"

"Don’t mention Nora Thompson. She went to Sydney a few days ago, and I chased her to Sydney. Then she went to Washington State. Now she won’t even let me go to her house. I wonder if there’s something wrong with me for falling for this crazy woman." Alexander King’s face was filled with headaches whenever he brought up Nora Thompson; that woman really didn’t follow the rules, which could drive people insane.

"She went to Sydney?" Joshua Hughes remembered the day Avery Jane inexplicably disappeared at a hotel in Sydney. Coincidentally?

"I seem to have seen it too. Was she staying at the Ritz Carlton?" Joshua Hughes casually mentioned, inhaling a puff of smoke, taking a cigarette from the pack, and casually tossing it. The cigarette gracefully traced a fluent parabolic arc in the air, and Alexander King caught it firmly.

"You must have seen it wrong. She booked there, but didn’t stay." Alexander King took the cigarette. He had not smoked for a long time; Nora Thompson didn’t like him smoking. She hadn’t outright said it, but he could tell, so he smoked less.

Joshua Hughes’s mind was rapidly processing, thinking about that day’s events. Was it possible? Could it be?

"Joshua, the stock price of that subsidiary of yours had severe fluctuations today. What’s going on exactly?" Alexander King got a bit worried. This subsidiary was crucial within Hughes Clan, like the central ship in a fleet. If this ship were to break down, Hughes Clan would face significant problems. What if there’s a hostile takeover? But how could Joshua Hughes allow such a thing to happen?

"I acquired it myself." With slightly parted lips, he exhaled white smoke, giving the man’s sharp facial features behind the smoke a layer of mysterious color.

Alexander King looked at him gravely; indeed, it was his doing. Otherwise, how could the stock fluctuate so drastically? Was he still harboring resentment over events from many years ago?

As a good brother, he didn’t know what to say, but he felt it wasn’t necessary. So he thought Joshua Hughes was just speculating. Since it was only speculation and not yet a fact, he believed Joshua Hughes wouldn’t harm Hughes Clan. But today, it seemed, he had already begun taking action.