Chapter 117: Kept in the Dark

"Devin, your son is really devoted, coming to see you every few days." the nurse beside him said with a cheerful smile. "Unlike the children of Even and Duke next door, who are really ungrateful. They don't even come here once a year."

Hearing this, Joseph felt secretly pleased.

Now that Devin's health couldn't handle overseeing the company's affairs, Joseph had become the acting chairman of Ocean Group. As soon as the Devin died, he would officially take over the family's business.

Though pleased inside, Joseph's face was clouded with concern. He glanced at the nurse and asked, "Has he had his check-up this month? How is he doing?"

The nurse shook her head and sighed. "A week ago, our sanatorium brought in a renowned doctor from abroad, but he couldn't determine what kind of illness it is either..."

The room fell into silence.

Years ago, when Devin first showed symptoms, his whole body would be in excruciating pain every few days, as if countless ants were gnawing at him from inside.

He was sent to various hospitals for tests, but none could identify the cause of his symptoms.

As time passed, the frequency of Devin's attacks increased. Now, sometimes he would be tormented by that heart-wrenching pain several times a day.

"Then find more famous doctors, bring them all here, no matter the cost. We must cure my father's illness!" Joseph's face darkened as he spoke angrily.

"Understood, I'll report to the director right away." the nurse replied, though a flash of helplessness crossed her eyes.

Over the years, both the Smith family and the sanatorium had invited numerous renowned doctors from various places. There had been dozens of them, but even those famous experts couldn't determine the cause of the illness.

"Enough." At this moment, Devin, looking out the window, finally spoke. Despite enduring daily torment, his aged eyes still shone with a sharp glint.

He first waved his hand at the nurse beside him, signaling her to leave. Once the door to the room was closed.

He asked, "How are things going with the company recently?"

"Everything is normal. I've recently secured two major deals, and the group's total profits are at least 50% higher than last year!" Joseph said with a broad smile as he sat by the bed, starting to talk about Ocean Group's recent developments.

He even had his assistant bring out the development blueprint for the past three years.

"Father, look, this is my plan for the next three years." Joseph continued with a smile. "You don't need to worry too much about the company's affairs. As long as I'm here, Ocean Group will only get better and better!"

The next three years?

In reality, Joseph knew very well that after the advent of the Other World Game, the apocalypse was about to descend, and the whole world would plunge into chaos. The development blueprint he had presented was something he had spent a lot of money to have someone else draft. It wasn't his own work.

He did this just to temporarily placate Devin. After all, if his father's illness continued to progress like this, he probably wouldn't live to see the day the apocalypse arrived.

Devin had been living in the sanatorium for years, knowing little about what was happening outside. However, his authority within the family remained irreplaceable.

"Well." Devin glanced at the blueprint, and a rare look of approval appeared in his aged eyes. He nodded and said, "It seems you have made significant progress over the years."

"Thank you for the compliment. I will continue to work hard." Joseph felt another surge of joy in his heart.

"By the way." Devin suddenly seemed to remember something. His elderly gaze shifted to the window, a complex emotion flickering in his eyes. "I haven't seen Vicky in a long time. Where has that little girl run off to?"

"Oh, her." Joseph was momentarily taken aback but quickly explained, "I forgot to tell you. She recently started dating someone, a foreigner, and they are currently on vacation abroad."

He added, "I actually called her last night to invite her to your birthday celebration, but you know... as her second uncle, she doesn't listen to me. She just hung up on me."

At this point, Joseph couldn't help but sigh.

Hearing this, the expression in Devin's aged eyes grew even more complex. His face, already worn out by illness, now showed a hint of disappointment.

In the quiet of the night, Devin often thought about the past, especially Vicky's childhood. No matter how busy he was with the company, he always made time to be with his granddaughter.

But in the past year, he hadn't seen her once.

Particularly after hearing Joseph's words, a chill spread through Devin's heart. Lying on the bed, enduring the daily torment of his illness, there was nothing he could do.

"Father, that little girl is just being thoughtless. Don't hold it against her. I'm here to see you, aren't I?" Joseph continued, "You know what they say: 'When a daughter gets married, she starts her own life.' She's not even married yet and is already like this. I can only imagine..."

Seeing Devin's face darken, Joseph decided not to finish his sentence.

On the surface, it seemed like Joseph was defending his niece Vicky, but in reality, he was intentionally adding fuel to the fire, hoping to make Devin completely disappointed in his granddaughter.

And he had to admit, his words were effective. seaʀᴄh thё Nôvel(F)ire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

After a brief silence, Devin slowly closed his eyes, his aged face filled with exhaustion. "From now on, Ocean Group will be in your hands. As for Vicky..."

"If she wants to live her own life, let her. Just make sure to send her a fixed amount for living expenses every month." Devin said in a deep voice.

He was utterly disappointed.

Although the sanatorium staff had not disclosed his condition, Devin could feel his body deteriorating day by day. He knew his time was running out.

"Father, you must not speak such discouraging words. I know some foreign doctors. I'll invite them to come and treat you tomorrow..." Joseph grasped Devin's withered hand, speaking with great emotion.

If this scene were filmed, he thought he could win an Oscar.

Upon hearing that Donald had entrusted the affairs of the group and the family to him, he was overjoyed, but on the surface, he still had to put on the appearance of a dutiful son.

"Alright, stop talking." Devin waved his hand and sighed. "I'm tired. If there's nothing else, you should leave. As for the birthday celebration... it's not necessary."

To Devin, whether or not there was a birthday celebration didn't matter. He just wanted to use this opportunity to see his granddaughter, but the outcome left him deeply disappointed.

"Alright then, if you need anything, just give me a call. I'll go back and take care of the company's affairs." Joseph said, suppressing his inner excitement and putting on a worried expression.

However, just as Joseph was about to turn and leave the ward.

The door suddenly opened.

"Who are you..." Joseph was taken aback. When his gaze fell on the two people standing in front of him, his eyes widened, and a look of disbelief appeared on his face.

It was none other than Irving and Vicky.

"How did you get in here?" Joseph looked astonished, then anxiously tried to drive them out of the room.

But it was too late...

"Grandpa!" Vicky's eyes were brimming with tears as she rushed towards the bed.

In fact, Irving had already found the ward with her but hadn't come in. As for the words Joseph had just said, they had heard them all.

"Vicky?!" Devin's eyes snapped open on the bed.

Although the grandfather and granddaughter hadn't seen each other for more than a year, Devin recognized her voice immediately. He could hardly believe this was real.

"Didn't your uncle say you were traveling abroad? Why are you back suddenly?" Devin asked, puzzled.

Irving had brought Vicky here, and they had heard the conversation inside clearly.

"Grandpa, I was never abroad. Uncle lied to you!" Vicky said, unable to hold back her pent-up grievances any longer. Tears streamed down her face like pearls on a broken string.

With these words, the room fell into a deathly silence.

"What did you say?" Devin was incredulous. Seeing his heartbroken granddaughter, his heart stirred violently.

At that moment, Joseph hurriedly stepped forward, forcing a stiff smile. "Father, didn't you just say you were tired? Take a rest. Vicky just came back from abroad, and I... I still have some things to discuss with her."

"Vicky, come out with me for a moment." Joseph said, pulling Vicky to leave the ward.

"Let go of me, you scum! Liar!" Vicky, drawing strength from somewhere, pushed Joseph away forcefully.

"Little girl, I am your uncle. Is this how you speak to your elders?" Joseph shouted angrily and tried to drag Vicky out of the room again.

At that moment, a figure suddenly blocked Joseph's way.

"Little scamp, what do you want now?" Seeing Irving, Joseph seemed to understand something and yelled angrily, "This is our family matter. It's not your place to interfere. Get out!"

The noise from the ward began to draw a crowd.