Chapter 471

Ruby wasn't worried about any rumors that might spread about her and Nolan. What she was really concerned about was Nolan's secret being discovered. That was a secret just between the two of them.

Her colleague, however, quickly retorted, "Of course, I'm here for business. But there's something weird going on, and I'm debating whether to tell the CEO."

Ruby frowned, "What's up?"

The colleague pointed outside, "There's a guest in the reception room, asking to see the CEO alone."

Ruby was taken aback, instinctively assuming the person was a client here to discuss a partnership.

"Did they make an appointment?"

"No, they didn't."

"Then why are they here? The CEO's time isn't something they can just demand, especially for a private meeting. Who do they think they are? Tell them to get their documents in order and come back another day. The CEO is busy right now."

Ruby was protective of Nolan. If it had been before, she might have let it slide. But now that Nolan was back as the CEO of the Brown Group, his status was different. If he met with just anyone, it would undermine his authority.

"No, no, this person can't be turned away."

The colleague was startled and, seeing no one around, moved closer to Ruby.

"I'll tell you, the person is our former boss, Michael. If you want to turn him away, go ahead. I don't dare!"

That was Michael. Who would dare to cross him?

"How could it be him?"

Ruby furrowed her brow and instinctively glanced at the office door. Others might not know what had happened between Michael and Nolan, but she knew very well. Now that he had suddenly come to the company, no one could guess what he wanted.

After all, everyone had seen Michael's hard work in the company over the years. If he teamed up with insiders to fight Nolan to the end, no one could guarantee who would win in the end. No matter what Michael was here for, it wasn't good news for Nolan.

Ruby was thinking about how to quietly get Michael to leave without alerting Nolan inside. Little did she know, their conversation had already reached Nolan's ears word for word.

Nolan had anticipated everything about Michael. He'd blocked every possible exit strategy before Michael even knew what was happening. He had already won over the three major shareholders of the Brown Group early in the game. Those he couldn't buy, he found ways to suppress. This was why he had received unanimous approval at the board meeting. Aiden's vocal support and the rumors about him and Isabella were all factors that helped him secure his position in the Brown Group.

So, Michael's arrival didn't surprise him at all. On the contrary, he understood Michael's feelings very well. When he had lost everything overnight, he had reacted the same way. He had desperately wanted to reclaim what was originally his, but his grandfather had blocked his every move. He'd been forced to run like a dog with its tail between its legs.

Now that Michael had come to the company, Nolan was eager to see what his once-pampered younger brother would look like after falling from grace.

"Let him come to me. After all, he was the former CEO of the Brown Group and my brother. How can you treat him so poorly? And bring him his favorite Italian coffee."

Nolan graciously invited Michael into the office.

Ruby was momentarily stunned but quickly understood Nolan's intention.

She responded through the door, "Yes, Mr. Brown."

Michael had been sitting in the reception room for ten minutes when he was informed to go to what used to be his office to see Nolan.

He was speechless.

Nolan had only been in the company for a short time, but this office had been Michael's for three years, decorated to his liking.

Now Michael had to get someone else's permission to enter his own office? The thought alone irritated him.

As soon as the door opened, Michael glanced at Nolan, who was looking out the window from his wheelchair, and without hesitation, he strode over to the office chair he had used for three years. He sat down naturally, crossing his long legs.

Nolan had a wheelchair, so he couldn't use the genuine leather chair imported from Germany.

"How can you..."

Ruby had just followed him in and saw Michael acting like he owned the place, sitting in the office chair without any sense of being a guest.

"Ruby, there's nothing here for you. You can leave."

Nolan interrupted Ruby, giving her a look that told her to leave.

Ruby didn't dare disobey. She put down the coffee she was holding and left.

Nolan watched Michael, not getting angry but instead wheeling himself over and stopping in front of him. His tone was gentle, with a hint of concern, "Michael, I heard you haven't been home or to your place these past few days. You haven't been hiding out somewhere because you're upset, have you?"

If Michael hadn't seen Nolan's true colors, he might have been fooled by him. Now, hearing this, Michael only felt it was extremely ironic.

"Why would I hide? I'm no longer the CEO of the Brown Group. I can go wherever I want and do whatever I want. I'm very free, with no pressure at all. Unlike you, who, even after getting everything, is still so tense, keeping tabs on my every move. What, are you afraid I'll retaliate or destroy everything you have?"

Michael's tone was calm but carried a hint of provocation.

Nolan clearly hated him to the core but still pretended not to care. Michael wanted to see how long Nolan could keep up the act.

Clearly, he underestimated Nolan's patience.

"Michael, what are you saying? I'm your brother. How could you think that? I'm just worried you might not be able to handle it. But seeing you in good spirits now, I can rest easy."

Nolan's expression was calm, but inside, he was extremely irritated.

Aiden had a lot of resentment about Nolan forcibly becoming the CEO of the Brown Group. So, after Nolan successfully ousted Michael, Aiden ordered all of Michael's responsibilities to be handed over to Nolan.

Aiden's outward intention was to help Nolan establish authority and quickly gain a foothold in the company. In reality, he wanted to see how Nolan would handle the mess Michael had left behind.

The project in Auroria, although Nolan had framed Michael, the contract details were real. The local government wasn't going to let the matter slide easily. Even though Nolan had offered double the benefits, the local government was still greedy for more. He had yet to reach an agreement with the local government.

This issue had been giving him a headache.