Chapter 389
Michael quickly pulled himself together.
"I'm not giving up. As long as there's a chance, I'm gonna keep trying."
The guilt he felt about Isabella had been keeping him up at night. If he truly lost her, he couldn't imagine how he'd handle it.
With that thought, Michael turned to Aaron and said, "That goes for you too."
Men didn't need many words to understand each other; a single glance was enough.
"Thanks, Mr. Brown. Let's hope we both get a good outcome."
Aaron still had debts to settle with Renee. He couldn't leave until he made things right.
Michael glanced at his watch and suddenly stood up. "I gotta head out. You don't need to come with me. Take a couple of days off to rest."
Aaron quickly stood up, respectfully saying, "Mr. Brown, I can start working now. The files from Auroria need my attention, and I want to get them organized ASAP."
Seeing Aaron's determination, Michael understood that Aaron just wanted to keep himself busy to avoid thinking about Renee.
Michael nodded in agreement. "Alright, stay here and get the Auroria files sorted. I'll review them when I get back. But don't overwork yourself. Head home this afternoon."
"Yes, Mr. Brown."
Michael grabbed his coat from the chair, and as he did, a small, shiny object fell to the carpet.
Aaron looked down and saw a small silver bear charm, the kind you'd attach to a phone.
Michael never showed interest in such trinkets. When did he start carrying something so childish?
Michael had already put on his coat and hadn't noticed the fallen charm. Aaron picked it up and handed it to him. "Mr. Brown, is this yours?"
Michael turned at the sound of Aaron's voice and saw the bear charm in his hand. He paused, realizing it had fallen from his pocket.
He nodded and carefully placed the charm back into his coat pocket, patting it gently.
"Thanks. It would've been a disaster if I'd lost it outside."
Aaron was taken aback, then asked, "Did Mrs. Brown give this to you?"
In his mind, anything Michael valued this much had to be related to Isabella.
But Michael shook his head.
"No, but I wish it was her."
If Isabella had been the one to save him back then, he wouldn't have had to search so desperately.
Aaron's question reminded him of something. "By the way, now that you're back, I have an important task for you. Help me investigate something. It's crucial for me."
No matter what, he had to find the person who saved his life all those years ago.
Time might have passed, but he was determined to uncover the truth.
Michael explained the task to Aaron in detail, giving him access to any resources within the Brown Family to get answers as quickly as possible.
"I just want the truth. Got it?"
"Understood."
With that, Michael grabbed his coat and left.
It was the end of the year, and most of the company's affairs were settled. The Auroria project had also wrapped up early.
Michael didn't have any urgent business to attend to.
The real reason he was in such a hurry to leave was to meet someone.
As he stepped into the café, Michael immediately spotted the person sitting by the window.
The man bore a striking resemblance to him. If not for their vastly different personalities, many might mistake them for each other.
Isabella probably married Michael because of this resemblance, didn't she?
It was ironic. All these years, she had only seen him as a stand-in for Nolan, not for who he truly was.
Michael approached the table and sat down. Unlike Michael, Nolan was in his wheelchair, making their heights slightly different.
Despite this, Nolan remained calm and composed, seemingly unbothered by the disparity.
His deep, penetrating eyes seemed to see through everything.
Meeting Michael's gaze, Nolan's expression was indifferent. "Why'd you call me out here?"
Nolan, who usually avoided any interaction with him, had actually reached out to request a meeting.
Michael had been puzzled until he learned that Nolan had abruptly resigned from Evergreen City University three days ago.
It was Nolan's first job after returning to the country, one he had eagerly taken up. Yet, after just a few months, he had quit.
For someone as steady as Nolan, this was highly unusual.
"Michael, I'm no longer teaching at Evergreen City University."
Nolan didn't beat around the bush. He placed a document in front of Michael.
It was a termination of his employment contract.
Michael narrowed his eyes. He already knew about this, but he was curious why Nolan felt the need to inform him.
When had their relationship become so close?
Nolan seemed to view Michael as a rival, and Michael felt the same way about Nolan.
"So, what are you trying to tell me?"
Michael asked calmly, raising an eyebrow.
Nolan had quit his job and immediately sought out Michael. Did he expect Michael to find him a new job?
Ridiculous.
This was Nolan!
He was the man who had once single-handedly taken control of the Brown Group, even managing to build a successful career abroad after leaving.
Someone as cunning and strategic as Nolan wouldn't be short of job opportunities.
But to Michael's surprise, Nolan seemed to read his thoughts.
"I want a job that matches my status."
Nolan's tone was serious, his eyes locked onto Michael's, showing no hint of jest.
Michael's expression tightened, and he sat up straighter, a cold smile forming. "A job that matches your status? Are you eyeing my position, planning to take over?"
Michael laid it out plainly.
Nolan had called him out to discuss this, revealing his ambitions, huh?
Since that was the case, there was no need to pretend otherwise.
Back then, Michael might not have been as knowledgeable about running the company as Nolan, but three years had passed. He was no longer the same Michael.
The Brown Group was firmly under his control now.
Nolan couldn't just waltz in and take it away.