Chapter 224 - Chapter 224: Obsession
"It seems Lord Archibalt has captured agents of the Big Bear Empire."
"Yes."
Aurora was receiving a report about Steve.
"Then, will you turn your attention to us next?"
"Huh?"
The reporter could not understand the meaning of Aurora's words.
Aurora expected that since Steve had resolved the issue of the agents, he would next involve himself with her.
If this had been Harry, he would have understood immediately, but he is no longer here. Only those who cannot understand what makes Aurora's heart flutter remain.
The "next" Aurora expected was the exposure of insider trading.
When the matter of Archibalt Steel's illegal exports came to light, the stock price of Archibalt Steel plummeted. The family members who had received information from Aurora in advance had gained a huge profit from this drop.
Naturally, this constitutes insider trading and is subject to punishment. However, the problem here is that they are Aurora's grandchildren.
Even as the enforcing side, while the law deems it illegal, can one really arrest the people of the Sowell family, who hold one of the most powerful positions not just in the western region but throughout the nation, as criminals? Naturally, political pressure is imagined to be involved.
Moreover, if they were arrested and then found not guilty, the retaliation would be plainly visible.
In that case, the enforcing side would want a backing. It was clear that they would seek this from the clean and upright Steve.
For these reasons, Aurora expected that Steve would next turn his attention to her.
In fact, the Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission of the Kingdom of Cascade, the enforcement agency, had visited Steve. The location was the Lord's residence in Archibalt Land. There were Steve, Arthur, and Isabella. On the side of the Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission was the Director-General, the top official.
At the beginning, the Director-General bowed his head.
"Lord Archibalt, from now on, we, the Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission, will investigate the insider trading by the Sowell family regarding Archibalt Steel. However, considering that obstruction due to political pressure is possible, we would like you to become our backing."
"Is that insider trading definitely correct?"
Steve asked the Director-General. Then, the Director-General nodded.
"Yes. Upon confirming the flow of transactions, massive short selling by the Sowell family was confirmed before the facts were made public. This greatly deviates from normal trading, and the possibility of insider trading is very high. Furthermore, among market participants, rumors circulated that bad news regarding Archibalt Steel would emerge from the western region. In that case, this is certainly insider trading. Afterward, if we make them confess during the interrogation after arrest..."
Hearing that much, Steve fell into thought. Seeing his attitude, Isabella shook Steve's shoulder.
"Daddy, my company was targeted! If the wrongdoing is not properly punished!"
Although the personal grudge part is quite large, Steve thought that was also acceptable.
Furthermore, Arthur also asked Steve.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to weaken the power of the Sowell family."
Saying that, he turned toward the Director-General.
"Director-General, is Lord Sowell also a target of the investigation?"
"Yes. There were movements in your account during the same period."
Hearing that, Arthur turned toward Steve again.
"Father, they will surely try to suppress this with political power. You should become the backing so that the interrogation can be conducted fairly."
In Arthur's heart, there was the ambition for the House Archibalt to replace the Sowell family and become the leader of the western faction. To put it even more, Arthur even had the Archibalt Dynasty under House Archibalt in his sights.
To achieve that, weakening the power of the Sowell family, which was a thorn in his eye, was necessary.
Spoken to by the two children, Steve nodded his head.
"Understood, Director-General. Please tell them that during the interrogation, they should direct any complaints to the House Archibalt."
"Lord Archibalt, thank you."
The Director-General bowed his head and returned, filled with joy.
At the same time, Aurora was recalling the past.
At first, Steve always plotted and executed schemes together with her, but as his position rose, he gradually slipped away from her control.
Even so, it was not that they had no connection, but because the density was not as high as before, Aurora felt anxiety.
Well, one reason was that Aurora had grown old and was not as active as before, but she did not think so herself; she believed that the materials to make Steve turn his attention back to her had become scarce.
"I want to regain your gaze like in those days ———"
Aurora muttered that.
For her, the grand scheme that would probably be the last one was finally about to be completed.