Chapter Seventy-Three: Wilmin x2

"I have no idea, who told you that Wilmin would be present?" Mo Shu was surprised by how well-informed this reporter was.

The female reporter just smiled without answering, pointing instead to the stage behind Mo Shu.

Mo Shu glanced back, unable to decipher her meaning, but he did notice Wang Yu stepping onto the stage from the side. He tested the microphones one by one and then announced,

"Dear friends from the press, the Divinity Racing Team thanks you for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend our press conference. Please be seated quickly—the conference is about to begin!"

"And let's also invite our team's lead driver, Mo Shu, up onto the stage," Wang Yu called out, waving to Mo Shu.

Hmph! To be called out by name through the loudspeaker—Mo Shu felt a bit embarrassed as he made his way to the stage.

"Now, let us give a warm welcome to today's distinguished guest, Mr. Christopher Wilmin!" Wang Yu's announcement nearly made Mo Shu, who had just climbed onto the stage, tumble right back down.

Did they really invite Wilmin?

Wilmin is Wilmin, but "Mister"? In old China, it was customary to address distinguished ladies as "Madam," but there's no need to complicate things with international etiquette—it would only confuse foreign friends!

Mo Shu steadied himself. He was curious to see how Wilmin would appear on this stage—or rather, how she could have the nerve to attend the Divinity Racing Team’s press conference.

Looking out over the audience, Mo Shu saw a sea of reporters. There must have been a hundred cameras aimed at the stage, all waiting to capture Wilmin.

As a stir rippled through the crowd, Mo Shu saw two burly, suited bodyguards step out from the left exit of the stage.

Tch, he’d guessed Wilmin would bring bodyguards; otherwise, she’d be mobbed. Mo Shu clenched his teeth at the thought.

But then, two more identically dressed bodyguards followed behind the first pair.

Mo Shu was nearly exasperated to the point of spitting blood—since when did bodyguards come in matching pairs?

As they drew closer, Mo Shu realized that someone was walking in the middle, flanked by the four bodyguards. The bodyguards were so large, they’d blocked his view.

Mo Shu didn’t like Wilmin, and he’d already prepared himself, hoping to send a message with his gaze to the woman passing by:

I’m not afraid of you!

Wait a minute—why did Wilmin’s eyes look so aged, with so many wrinkles at the corners? The murderous glare Mo Shu had been preparing suddenly faltered.

Damn! It was that old gentleman from before!

Sir, of all the names in the world, why must you share the same one as that wretched woman!

Were it not for the crowd of journalists below, Mo Shu would have pounded his chest and stomped his feet on the spot.

The old gentleman walked slowly to the center of the stage and gave a slight bow to the reporters below. The flashbulbs burst into a frenzy, making it impossible to keep one’s eyes open.

Then, Russlein came onto the stage, followed by an unfamiliar European man.

The two of them, brimming with confidence, waved to the audience and helped the old Wilmin to the two central seats on the stage.

Russlein nodded at Mo Shu, gesturing for him to sit on the other side.

Meanwhile, Wang Yining, Wang Qing, and Geng Hua also took their seats in order, their expressions solemn as they sat near the center.

And so, with Mo Shu—the main party in the defamation incident—still in a haze, the Divinity Racing Team’s press conference began.

Team manager Wang Yu continued as the host, speaking at length, but not a word was wasted—all of it was statements on how the Divinity Racing Team would respond to the Black Gold Petroleum slander.

Mo Shu knew all of this already. Bored, he glanced around and noticed the European man’s suit pocket bore a name tag.

ERC Official. Russlein had even managed to invite someone from the ERC; things were starting to make sense for Mo Shu.

As he let his mind wander, Wang Yu delivered his closing remarks, which made Mo Shu’s heart clench.

Anyone could see that this old gentleman was truly the important figure Wang Qing had mentioned. But Mo Shu never expected that the old man’s background would be so formidable—even the ERC official was there to accompany him.

"Now, let us invite Mr. Christopher Wilmin—former international racing legend, former President of the Global Automobile Federation, former Head of the Six Realms Grandmasters, and also known as the Father of the Six Realms Grandmasters—to deliver a statement."

Just look at those titles, the bodyguards, and the sheer number of journalists present.

Mo Shu had thought they were all there for Russlein, but no—the real, towering figure was this unassuming old man.

The Father of the Six Realms Grandmasters!!!

Good heavens, I’m in awe!

Though Mo Shu sat firmly in his seat, in his heart he was already kneeling.

With such a legendary figure coming to their aid, there was nothing to fear!

Now, let’s hear what Wilmin—no, the Father of the Six Realms Grandmasters—has to say. Mo Shu perked up, fully attentive.

“I…” After listening to Wang Yu’s account, Old Wilmin was clearly agitated.

“I’ve said it before, many years ago—Black Gold Petroleum is not an upstanding company. But I never imagined they’d stoop so low.” Old Wilmin’s expression grew grave.

“I hadn’t intended to come out of retirement—after all, I am retired, ha ha—but Russ called me last night, said the situation was urgent and asked me to mediate. After I learned the details, I was truly…angry! How could the world of racing have become so corrupt? It pains me deeply.

Today, on behalf of my late brother and my niece, Olivia Wilmin, I declare to all of you—we, the Wilmin family, have absolutely no connection to Black Gold Petroleum. I urge you, journalists, to report the truth. This retired old man of mine has no reason to lie.

However, if Black Gold Petroleum truly engages in slander and persecution against competitors in this way, I will call on my old colleagues to launch a thorough investigation—and those responsible will be severely punished!”

The flashes exploded again, lighting up the room.

“That’s all I have to say!” The old gentleman was truly enraged, his chest heaving. With a snap, he switched off the microphone.

“Now it’s time for questions from the press. Please raise your hand if you wish to speak,” Wang Yu continued the proceedings.

Almost every hand in the room shot up. Most, however, wanted to question Old Wilmin and Russlein, leaving Mo Shu with little to do. He began mulling over the unexpected turn this press conference had taken.

Six Realms Grandmasters, the Father of the Six Realms Grandmasters.

The Wilmins—uncle and niece—a powerful family.

Black Gold Petroleum, Black Gaulton, a puppet CEO.

No matter how you looked at it, the world of racing seemed to be under the control of the same group of people.

It was obvious—even Russlein had admitted that the younger Wilmin controlled Black Gold Petroleum, yet Old Wilmin claimed there was no connection. The old man was likely lying this time.

So had Old Wilmin come out of retirement because he saw his niece had made things too complicated, worried she would be exposed, and hurried to the press conference to sever all ties between her and Black Gold Petroleum? That seemed likely.

But what about Russlein? Since he’d left the Six Realms Grandmasters and, by extension, the younger Wilmin’s influence, why was he still so close to Old Wilmin? Was the old man not angry with him?

Or perhaps Old Wilmin truly disapproved of his niece’s actions? By attending the press conference, he was helping the innocent Divinity Racing Team while preserving the Wilmin family’s reputation, and so chose not to reveal everything?

Mo Shu was perplexed. He wished the press conference would end soon so he could ask Russlein for details.

Still, with a figure as significant as Old Wilmin publicly condemning Black Gold Petroleum, at least half the crisis could be averted. That was a relief for Mo Shu.

At the very least, perhaps he’d be allowed to participate in the race today—he would wait for the official word from the ERC.

Mo Shu’s thoughts drifted to Black Mirror, still on the plane. Now that the issue was nearly resolved, had Black Mirror’s journey been in vain?