644 Chapter 643
Keira arrived in the hallway outside old Mr. Sims' office.
When she last visited, the area was still open and not sealed off. Now, it was blocked, restricting entry to unauthorized personnel.
Holly's footsteps were unsteady, reflecting her anxiety.
They reached old Mr. Sims' office, where Holly hesitated at the door, prompting Keira to push it open.
Inside, they found an elderly man.
His full head of silver hair and wrinkled face still held traces of the authority he once commanded.
As he stood watering the plants and not looking at them, he said, "I've admitted my cris already. There's no need to co and ask again."
Holly began to tremble.
Despite everyone saying old Mr. Sims had confessed, she never believed it.
But hearing those words from her grandfather's mouth made her feel as though her world was collapsing.
She staggered forward, her voice trembling. "Grandpa, it's not like that."
At the word "Grandpa," old Mr. Sims jolted.
He turned slowly, staring at Holly in surprise before smiling. "Holly, you're here."
Holly hadn't expected him to be so nonchalant. She imdiately grabbed his hand. "Grandpa, tell it's not true. What you just said isn't true!"
Old Mr. Sims sighed.
Looking at her, he spoke after a mont, "I'm sorry. I've brought sha upon you."
Holly's eyes reddened as she looked at his wrinkled hand, her voice breaking with a sob. "It's not true, Grandpa. You're just teasing , right? You've always taught to love my country and to place the nation's interest above everything else. How could you do sothing like this…"
Tears filled Holly's eyes. "Grandpa, please say sothing. Tell none of this is real!"
Old Mr. Sims sighed again. "Holly, I was foolish. I had never seen so much money and thought a small mistake wouldn't cause any trouble…"
"I don't believe you! There must be so misunderstanding! The person you despised the most was Barry Brandt!"
Holly shook her head frantically, refusing to accept the truth.
Old Mr. Sims lowered his gaze and sighed. "Do you rember thirteen years ago when your grandmother was gravely ill?"
Holly was startled.
Old Mr. Sims continued, "Back then, only Country M had the advanced dical capabilities to save her. However, given our situation, we had no money, and the healthcare providers there refused treatnt unless we paid a large sum. They asked for a hundred million. You know our family assets were, at most, a few tens of millions. That was the first ti I felt helpless due to a lack of money…"
Old Mr. Sims lowered his gaze. "When your grandmother passed away, I suddenly felt a desperate need for money. What if the sa thing happened to your father next ti or to you after that? What would we do?"
He continued, "Without money, there is no sense of security. That was the start of my troubles.
"Once soone tells a lie, they need countless lies to cover it up; when they do sothing wrong, they need countless wrongs to hide it. I found myself in deep trouble, which is why I didn't dare to spend or touch the money—I just let it sit there."
He gave a bitter smile. "Billions in US dollars; I often think it could have saved your grandmother's life hundreds of tis over... Holly, I was wrong. So terribly wrong."
Holly looked at Old Mr. Sims in disbelief. "Grandpa... why didn't you say anything earlier? Why didn't you tell sooner? Why did you keep this from ..."
She cried uncontrollably. "Grandpa, you taught from a young age that even so, we must not admit defeat. How could you give in to money... Grandpa!"
Old Mr. Sims patted her shoulder. "Holly, I've dragged you and your father into this, haven't I?"
Holly lowered her head. "My dad has been dismissed and is now under house arrest. I'll also be investigated. Grandpa, how could you make such a mistake!"
Old Mr. Sims lowered his gaze. "I have nothing else to say. I'm prepared for whatever punishnt cos from above. Holly, you are innocent. I'm sorry to you and your father..."
The guilt in his eyes was evident.
Holly suddenly rembered sothing and blurted out, "So, is that why you've been refusing to hand over the Special Division to Uncle Dawson all these years? Is it because only the person in control of the Special Division has access to so many resources?"
Old Mr. Sims gave a rueful smile. "Exactly."
Holly staggered back, staring at old Mr. Sims. "How could you do this? Do you realize how much you've hurt Uncle Dawson?!"
Overwheld by the revelations, she ran out.
After she left, Old Mr. Sims turned to Keira. "You must be the Senior Sister, right?"
Surprised that he recognized her, Keira was montarily taken aback.
Old Mr. Sims smiled. "The only ones who can freely enter here besides Brian Dawson is the Senior Sister. I've heard about you from Holly."
Keira pursed her lips. "Greetings, Mr. Sims."
She bowed to him.
Old Mr. Sims said, "Please look after Holly in the future. I know that because of , her entire life will be overshadowed, and I hope you can make her life a little less bitter."
Keira sighed. "Mr. Sims, drop the act. Holly isn't here anymore."
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