Chapter 749
The words hit the boardroom like a bombshell. Gary’s face turned crimson as he slammed his hand on the table and roared to his fest, “Jareth! You’re telling me to get out of the Group? Are you fricking out of your mind? I was helping your grandfather build this empire when you were still wetting the bed and playing in the
mud
With no outsiders present, the uncle and nephew had finally come to blows, old grudges mixing with fresh animosity.
“Jareth, don’t push it!” Barry believed this brat clearly lost it, his voice seething with fury, “I know what you’re up to. You’re just trying to avenge that Abernathy girl! But don’t forget, you’re a Fairhaven, the CEO of the Fairhaven Group! Your father put his heart and soul into this company. By turning it upside down, are you honoring his memory?
Besides, your uncle is right! Do you really think you can take care of a lunatic for the rest of your life? You don’t have the patience! It’s not possible. Better to cut ties now than to regret it later!“.
“Grandpa Barry, just answer me one question.” Jareth said, ignoring the tirade, “Do you agree to my request to kick Gary out of the Fairhaven Group?”
“You think you can just dismiss a board member on a whim? This is a company, not one of your nightclubs where you can do whatever you please!” Barry bellowed.
“Fine.” Jareth’s tall figure leaned back, raising his voice, “Dean, come in!”
Like a shadow, Dean moved to his side, “Mr. Jareth Fairhaven.”
“Grandpa Barry, your birthday is in a few months, isn’t it? It’s not your eightieth birthday, but I’ve prepared a special gift for you!
Jareth took a manila envelope from Dean’s hand and casually tossed it onto the old man’s desk. Barry’s brows furrowed as he slowly picked up the envelope and pulled out its contents.
A stack of photographs, each one showed him on a luxury yacht, surrounded by scantily clad women in compromising positions! Any one of them could destroy his reputation!
Gary tried to sneak a peek but Barry snapped, “Get out of my sight!” Barry then glanced at Jareth with twitching cheeks, “What are you trying to do?!”
“Grandpa Barry, you’re quite the ladies‘ man, even at your age.” Jareth took out a cigarette and placed between his thin lips, Dean quickly lighting it up, “But biting off more than you can chew isn’t wise at your age. You should be taking care of yourself.”
Gary realized at once what was happening and felt a chill! That “yacht meeting” had tight security, all the guards were armed. And yet Jareth had managed to get these photos. The kid was playing hardball!
“If you don’t agree to my terms, I’ll have no choice but to scatter these photos around Elmsworth; let everyone have a good look at Grandpa Barry’s golden years,” Jareth’s eyes narrowed as he took a drag, the cherry glowing red against his lips.
Barry shook with rage, “You“”
“And there’s more where that came from. I know plenty about you, Grandpa Barry.” Eyes half closed, Jareth lazily blew smoke rings, “Each one enough to enjoy your twilight years behind bars.”
Jareth! Have you lost your fricking mind?! This is the grandfather who raised you, and you’d turn on him for a woman? You’re no better than a beact!” Gary’s face paled, unable to believe Jareth’s ruthlessness
“Manilla isn’t just any woman. She is…my wife, the only true love of my life. Jareth’s eyes were filled with tears he refused to shed, “Now, Fm just fulfilling my duty as a husband. Anyone who hurts my wife, no matter who, will pay the price.”
Even if Marilla no longer wanted him, he would always love her, even if they couldn’t be together, she would forever be his wife in his heart.
Barry clutched his chest, gasping for breath! His grandson had truly gone mad. For a single woman, he was willing to turn the Fairhaven Group upside down!
“Grandpa Barry, you’ve always been good at weighing the pros and cons. Here are my terms, think carefully about your next move.”
With that, Jareth stood up slowly, crushing his cigarette butt on the conference table.
“Wait!”
Barry suddenly called out, his voice quivering, “I agree. I accept your terms!”
“Dad! I’ve made monumental contributions to the Fairhaven Group; how can you do this to me just to save yourself?!” Gary’s eyes bulged with desperation.
“Enough! You’re not fooling anyone with that self–righteous act! Barry roared back, “We both know who really made monumental contributions to the Group. It was Krisl Jareth’s father, your older brother!
Even without this mess, I would have kicked you out of the Fairhaven Group sooner or later! Did you think I didn’t know about your shady dealings? I just turned a blind eye because I couldn’t be bothered!
Today, I’ll take the opportunity to rid myself of this thorn in my side. From tomorrow on, you’re no longer part of the Fairhaven Group. The board meetings, the shareholder meetings…all have nothing to do with you anymore!”
The old man was clearly looking for a way out.
“You’re throwing me away after I’ve outlived my usefulness!” Gary stamped his foot like a petulant child, showing his true colors in a moment of crisis. Looked like he was really panicked.
Barry’s roar echoed through the room, “Get out! Get the hell out now!”
Gary knew that further protests were pointless. He glared hatefully at Jareth’s stoic face before storming out like a beaten dog, slamming the door behind him.
“When is Gary’s termination notice going out?” Jareth asked, his voice detached.
“By the end of the week.”
At those words, Jareth’s gaze narrowed dangerously. Barry quickly corrected himself, “First thing tomorrow.
morning!”
“Good. I’ll be awaiting the news.”
Jareth turned and strode away, with Dean following closely behind.
“Jareth, I’ve watched you grow up. The entire Fairhaven family, even your mother doesn’t know you as well as I do!” Barry’s raspy voice trailed after him, “You’re not suited for that Abernathy girl, not by
family, not by temperament. You’re utterly mismatched!
That girl’s too meek and timid. She can’t handle the Fairhaven family, much less you! Without a strong wife to keep you in check and to manage the Fairhaven Group, you’re going to have a rough time. Sooner or later, all this lovey–dovey nonsense will be ground away by reality!”
Jareth paused but didn’t turn around, “I love whom I choose, and Lchoose whom I love. As for your worries, they’re unnecessary. My shoulders are broad enough to bear it all. And Marilla…she just needs to hold my hand, and that’s enough”
At K Group headquarters, Evadne was in her office, having been reviewing documents all afternoon.
After finishing the last one, she let out a long sigh and stretched her limbs with a loud “ah“. Just then, her phone rang. It was her older brother, Arnold. Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.
“Arnold, I thought you’d forgotten about your sis after getting hitched. What’s got you calling me? Evadne
12:26
drawled, lounging on the sofa.
“Evadne, I need to ask you something.” Arnold paused, his voice low, “Did Ms. Marilla Abernathy and Jareth break up?”
Evadne’s eyes flickered, “Why would you ask that all of a sudden? How did you know?”
They really split?” Arnold sounded shocked, then contemplative, “Seems like that incident hit them hard.”
“Come on, Arnold, don’t beat around the bush. Spit it out.”
“This morning, I attended the wedding of our District Attorney’s youngest son. It was quite the affair; even the Bartleys were there. I heard with my own ears, Mr. Bartley saying his son is engaged to Ms. Marilla Abernathy.” “What?!”
Evadne bolted upright, pretty eyes wide with disbelief, “Who? Who’s getting engaged to Marilla? Mr. Bartley’s son?!”
Then, a knock on the door interrupted them. Jason entered with a grim expression on his face.
“Ms. Ashbourne, there’s something you need to be briefed on.”