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Freya nodded and said, “I figured just as much, but I’ve already investigated and confirmed that Darrin is backing Helga.”
It was worth noting that without Darrin’s financial support, Helga’s studio would’ve long been deeply embroiled in a mica lawsuit,
and she might already be doing time at this point. So, what drove Darrin to invest in a perfumery studio with a tarnished
reputation?
Freya squinted her eyes, and soon she would have the answers. At the annual meeting, she was determined. to uncover
Darrin’s motivations and find a solution.
Three days flew by in the blink of an eye and came the day of the Donnelly Group’s annual meeting. Darrin even invited a
significant number of media representatives.
The annual meeting was held in the grand hall adjacent to the Donnelly Tower. Darrin was quite particular about the
extravagance. As such, preparations for the Donnelly Group’s annual meeting had started two months prior. The entire venue
was impressively grand.
In previous years, the Donnelly Group’s annual meetings were held in Capitael. As a result, Radley and Freya hadn’t visited the
Donnelly Group before. This was the first time the annual meeting was being held. in Caltun, and many prominent families in
Caltun had received invitations from the Donnelly Group.
Being the third-largest group in Caltun, représentatives from various local companies attended, most accompanied by their
spouses, showing their respect for the Donnelly Group.
Freya and Radley arrived right on time. When they entered the hall, numerous guests were already present.
The media reporters invited by Darrin were setting up their equipment as Darrin would soon deliver a speech from the platform.
Freya scanned the guests and quickly spotted the host of the annual meeting. In the crowd not far away, Darrin himself was
surrounded by people.
Freya exchanged a glance with Radley, and they proceeded to walk over.
Many people in the venue had already noticed Radley and Freya and were considering approaching to greet them. However,
when they saw the couple walking toward Darrin, they wisely halted their steps.
“The Donnelly family has always wanted to outshine the Monaghans and Kaufmanns, and the two of them. have never gotten
“I’m not sure. Keep your voice down. Let’s see how things unfold.”
Freya ignored the surrounding whispers and walked hand in hand with Radley to where Darrin was.
Several people who were previously surrounding Darrin politely stepped back a few steps upon seeing the arrival of Radley and
Freya, giving space to the two.
Darrin, as if he had just noticed Radley and Freya, immediately broke into a radiant smile. “Well, if it isn’t Mr. Monaghan and Miss
Kaufmann! Your presence today truly adds luster to our humble company.”
Darrin’s face crinkled when he smiled. His facial structure was somewhat rectangular, resembling the appearance of someone
who did manual labor, giving him a weathered look.
Freya returned a polite smile. “The Donnelly Group has been established in Caltun for over a decade, and it was about time we
paid a visit. However, the Donnelly Group’s headquarters is in Capitael, and you’re not often in Caltun. This is our first meeting,
indeed a rare occasion.”
Freya finished with a smile, and Darrin put on an appearance of being pleasantly surprised. “Miss Kaufmann, please don’t say
that. You’re flattering me. I came to establish a company in Caltun, so it should. be me visiting you.”
Radley stood nearby, his expression cool. “No need for pleasantries, Mr. Donnelly. We’re here primarily to attend the Donnelly
Group’s annual meeting, and we also have a question for you.”
“What can I help you with, Mr. Monaghan?” Darrin feigned an air of curiosity.
Freya couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. Darrin must have known the purpose of their visit, but he was well-versed in diplomacy,
and businessmen never make a scene too ugly.
With a smile on her face, Freya said, “How about we find a quieter place to sit down and talk?”
Darrin seemed a bit hesitant and gestured toward the guests present. “Miss Kaufmann, today is the Donnelly Group’s annual
meeting, and there are many guests waiting for my hospitality. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me here. I will certainly
be open and honest.”
The look in Radley’s eyes turned colder, Freya pursed her lips and lightly squeezed Radley’s hand.
Darrin had likely anticipated their visit that day. The media reporters had set up their equipment, and if they were to confront
Darrin here, it might not bode well.
Darrin seemed surprised by Freya’s tolerance. He gave her a somewhat ambiguous look and smiled, his wrinkles deepening,
exuding a sly and slippery charm. “Miss Kaufmann, perhaps your questions will be answered after the annual meeting,” he said.
Freya frowned. What does he mean by that?
The annual meeting started promptly, and all the guests had now taken their seats.
Darrin took the stage, and the audience fell silent.
Freya crossed her arms and listened to Darrin’s speech. He talked about officially shifting the Donnelly Group’s headquarters
from Capitael to Caltun. This annual meeting was just the beginning, and he planned to move the entire company to Caltun in
the near future.
Darrin praised Caltun and, in the end, looked toward Freya and Radley. He made a pointed statement, saying. “The Donnelly
Group’s goal is to become the leading company in Caltun
The guests at the event were predominantly local leaders and CEOs from Caltun. Many of them had a strong sense of local
pride. When Darrin’s words hit the audience, several pairs of eyes turned toward Freya and Radley,
“Darrin is quite daring, openly provoking them.”
“He’s got guts, challenging both major families at once)
“Sounds like a storm is brewing in Caltun. We better think carefully about which side to stand with for the future development of
our companies”
“Choosing a side is not necessarily the best option. I’ve always been conservative,” someone quietly discussed.
“Not choosing a side? Haven’t you heard the saying, ‘When giants clash, the little guy gets hurt?’ Picking th right side early is the
way to go. Otherwise, which of these three can you handle if you get caught up in this?”
The audience seemed to be deep in thought. Freya’s expression remained unchanged, and she smiled. lightly. However, her
eyes were sharp and cold, like they were reflecting icy blades.
Radley sat beside her, calmly observing Darrin as he spoke on stage. It seemed that Darrin’s provocation. had no effect on him.
The scene was filled with flashing cameras.
Freya leaned toward Radley and whispered with a smile, “It looks like Darrin is not as confident as he pretends. He deliberately
provoked us in front of so many people, probably to boost his own morale.”
Radley, with a faint smile on his lips, replied, “He has never realized that the reason he managed to secure a prominent position
in Caltun in recent years is that I never considered him a real competitor. Neither of our families has ever suppressed the
Donnelly Group. He thinks he achieved it through his own efforts.”
Freya nodded. At least in her eyes, Darrin was far from deserving the attention of Radley.
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