Chapter 247

The secretary's words instantly jolted me awake. She informed me that Richard's car would arrive downstairs in an hour. That meant that Richard wanted our lunch to be confidential. But why? It was supposed to be a three-way collaboration. Yet Richard had avoided inviting Douglas, who was the intermediary, and Caroline, who was the company's legal representative. Instead, he had chosen me. Moreover, he had asked to meet me just before signing the contract for the collaboration. It was truly perplexing. I had a foreboding feeling. … An hour later, I boarded the private car sent by Richard and sped along the highway. It was an ordinary, inconspicuous private sedan, and even the driver's attire was extremely low-key. I couldn't discern Richard's intentions at all. However, I quickly deduced from the route we were taking that we were headed toward Richard's private estate. And indeed, my speculation was right. This time, the household staff led me to the garden on the estate. Sur