The Shelter Game: Me, Starting with a Tenfold Drop Rate
Chapter 123 - 123: Quick Reaction, Narrow Escape

Upon hearing that Benjamin was acting on Donald's orders, Irving's face showed a hint of confusion.

"Are you saying Donald sent you here?" Irving asked Benjamin tentatively.

Benjamin shook his head. "I came here on the orders of the Chairman. My duty is to ensure the old Chairman's safety! So, don't even think about taking him hostage."

"Me, take Donald hostage?"

Irving repeated Benjamin's words in disbelief. He then realized there was some misunderstanding between them.

"I am not holding Donald hostage. The one who has taken Donald hostage is the current Chairman of Ocean Group, Joseph! The very person who sent you here!"

Irving thought that after saying this, Benjamin would immediately change his attitude towards him. However, to his surprise, Benjamin remained impassive. Benjamin stood still, coldly staring in Irving's direction.

At that moment, Benjamin's walkie-talkie suddenly crackled to life.

"Captain, the old Chairman is asking if the battle is over. If it is, please come to see him with Irving. Confirm receipt, over."

"Received, over," Benjamin replied.

After ending the call, Benjamin turned to Irving and asked, "You must be Irving. The old Chairman is calling for us. Let's go quickly."

With that, Benjamin headed directly towards Donald's ward.

Irving found Benjamin's reaction somewhat strange. However, so far, Benjamin had posed no threat to Irving, nor to Vicky and Donald. Both sides had been cooperating up to this point. Therefore, Irving saw no reason to be overly critical of Benjamin's reaction.

Irving followed Benjamin towards Donald's ward.

At the same time, at the entrance of the sanatorium, Joseph sensed that something was amiss. The sounds of the battle had ceased, indicating that someone among Elvis, Irving, and Benjamin had emerged victorious.

Joseph, feeling a bit anxious, urged a bodyguard beside him, "Quickly, contact the assault team. Find out what's happening now."

"Yes, Chairman! I will contact them immediately!"

Just as Joseph finished giving this command, his expression turned slightly hesitant. Joseph suddenly realized that if Donald had indeed perished in the battle, there would have been a significant reaction.

Whether it was Irving, Benjamin, or Elvis, each held Donald in high regard. Moreover, Vicky had not been involved in the battle. If Donald had truly passed away, Vicky would be in immense pain and likely wailing in despair.

Since none of these reactions had occurred, the most likely scenario was that Donald had not faced any life-threatening danger. Realizing this, Joseph felt the urgent need to leave immediately.

Joseph called over his secretary. "We have more important matters to attend to. Leave this to the security department. Let's take the helicopter and leave right away."

Joseph's secretary looked slightly puzzled.

"Chairman, do you really think we should leave now? Didn't you say earlier that you needed to stay here and see what happens with your own eyes?"

"I know what I said earlier; I don't need you to remind me! The situation has changed significantly. Staying here is just a waste of time. There are many pressing matters at Ocean Group that require my attention!"

By this point, Joseph's tone had become very severe. His secretary had no choice but to arrange for the helicopter to come over. Soon, Joseph and his secretary boarded the helicopter and headed towards the capital's airport.

Joseph had made up his mind; he needed to get away from the capital city as quickly as possible.

Donald had already lost all faith in Joseph. With Vicky's help, Donald would undoubtedly regain control of Ocean Group. Once that happened, Donald would uncover everything Joseph had done while serving as Chairman. Donald would certainly not let Joseph off the hook.

Joseph's only hope now was to escape to a place where Donald couldn't find him for the time being.

The Benevolent Sanatorium wasn't far from the airport. Once he arrived at the airport, Joseph boarded his private jet and left the capital for another country. Joseph didn't notify his subordinates because, in this dire situation, he didn't have time to inform anyone else.

Back at the Benevolent Sanatorium, inside Donald's ward.

Upon returning, Benjamin and Irving were met with Donald's question, "You two have dealt with Elvis, right?"

"Yes, old Chairman," Benjamin replied coldly.

"Stop calling me the old Chairman. I've decided to return to Ocean Group and resume my position as Chairman," Donald said calmly to Benjamin.

Donald's declaration shocked the other Ocean Group security personnel in the room. They had grown accustomed to Joseph being their Chairman.

They never expected that Donald would immediately return to serve as the Chairman of the Group. What would happen to Joseph? Once this news is announced, how much chaos will it cause? These questions were too overwhelming for them to even contemplate. Therefore, they all wanted to see Benjamin's reaction, as he might be the only one who truly knew the situation.

However, Benjamin's reaction was just as it had been before. Although his face was covered by a mask, preventing others from seeing his expression, his body language alone made it clear that Benjamin was not surprised in the least.

"Where is that bastard Joseph now? Get him here immediately! He must pay for colluding with outsiders to deceive me!" Donald's fury was evident when he spoke of Joseph.

Halfway through, Donald began to cough. Though Vicky had helped him regain some of his health, he had been gravely ill not long ago. His recently recovered body couldn't withstand such intense stress.

"Chairman, we can't reach Joseph. We can only get in touch with his secretary. According to the secretary, Joseph has already taken his private jet and left for another country," Benjamin reported.

An Ocean Group security guard, after communicating with other Ocean Group employees via walkie-talkie, reported back to Donald.

Donald's expression grew even more grim. "I knew it, that ungrateful son would definitely choose to run away! How did our Smith family end up with such a disloyal child?" Although Donald's tone was still filled with anger, Irving sensed that Donald wasn't overly concerned about Joseph's escape. In fact, it seemed that, to some extent, Donald might have tacitly approved of Joseph's departure.

"Chairman, what should we do next?" Benjamin asked Donald calmly.

Donald glanced at Vicky, then at Irving. "Since Joseph has fled abroad, let's head back to Ocean Group headquarters. I will announce my return as the Chairman of the Group. I will also reveal my new batch of personnel appointments. Vicky, as my granddaughter, must hold a more important position within the Group."

At this moment, Donald was determined to mentor Vicky. As his granddaughter, she had risked everything to save him, and deep down, he was incredibly moved. If it weren't for Vicky, he might have already left this world. Because his granddaughter gave him the chance to continue living and regain control of the Group, he was committed to nurturing her.

He wanted to ensure that his granddaughter would become his right-hand person!

After saying this, Donald hesitated for a moment before slowly continuing, "Irving, since you are Vicky's boyfriend, you should come with us to Ocean Group headquarters. Vicky might still need your help afterward."

Irving nodded. "No matter what trouble Vicky faces, I will be there to help her! Our relationship is very deep!"

Irving's words deeply moved Vicky.

Vicky never expected Irving to value her so highly. Moreover, he was willing to say this openly in front of others. This only deepened Vicky's admiration for Irving. In her heart, she already saw Irving as someone she could entrust her future to. Now, Vicky genuinely hoped that she could marry Irving.

"Alright, save these words for when you're alone," Donald remarked plainly. "Everyone, get ready immediately. We are heading to Ocean Group headquarters now."

Under Donald's orders, the Ocean Group security team swiftly escorted Donald, Vicky, and Irving back to Ocean Group headquarters at the fastest possible speed.

On the way back to the headquarters, Donald issued new directives. He instructed all members of the Ocean Group board to arrive at the headquarters as quickly as possible.

When the board members received Donald's instructions, they were very surprised. They hadn't expected the directive to come from Donald, especially since he had handed over the Chairman position to his second son, Joseph, two years ago.

These board members also keenly sensed that a significant change was imminent within Ocean Group. So, before heading to the headquarters for the board meeting, they had serious discussions with their trusted subordinates to strategize responses. After all, this incident occurred so suddenly that it left them at a loss.

They had no choice but to gather some of their own people to analyze the situation's development.

However, no matter what preparations they made, they couldn't possibly predict the actual situation. After all, Joseph's escape, Donald's return to power, and the planned elevation of Vicky all happened within a single day. Even those with the intent to gather information couldn't possibly collect useful intel in such a short time.

Thus, the majority of Ocean Group board members only learned the specific details after the emergency board meeting was convened.