<b>09-37 </b>
The audacity <b>of </b>that sniveling weasel was in as day now! It was <b>only </b>at this moment that Jeff finally saw through this little aiter’s true colors
if he hadn’t been duped by Avery’s Oscar–worthy performance in the beginning, if he had just trusted Matthew more and safeguarded his seat as CEO instead of constantly undermining him and giving Avery the chance to worm his way in, maybe <b>he </b>wouldn’t be in this damned <b>if </b><b>he </b>did, damned <b>if </b>he <b>didn’t </b>situation now!
If Avery <b>had </b>helped him out of a corporate crisis, so what? <b>Making </b>deals with such a conniving brat, even if he <b>was </b>his own flesh and blood, was like bargaining with <b>the </b>devil himself<b>! </b>
Jeff had to y it smart and stay cool, so he softened his tone and took a step back, “Avery, you can bring your mother back to the Chambers Estate, but as for the shares<b>, </b>it’s not as simple as just handing them over to you.”
<b>Avery </b>adjusted his gold–rimmed sses, “Didn’t Matthew say he’d transfer them to <b>you</b>, and then he did?<b>” </b>
<b>“</b>Your <b>brother’s </b>behind <b>bars </b><b>with </b><b>a </bundry list of crimes. He won’t see the light of <b>day </b>again. Elva’s divorced him<b>, </b>and I’m next in line for <b>those </b>shares, which rightfully shoulde to me<b>.</b><b>” </b>
Though Jeff was seething <b>inside</b>, considering he had no other cards <b>to </b><b>y </b>but <b>Avery</b><b>, </b>he had to y along, <b>“</b><b>If </b>thepany’s stock <b>undergoes </b>a major shift, <b>it </b>could disrupt the bnce of power. <b>That’s </b>a matter <b>for </b>the board <b>to </b>decide.
I went out on <b>a </b>limb <b>to </b><b>back </b>you before, and the board had enough to say about that. With all that’s happened<b>, </b><b>it’s </b><b>best </b>not <b>to </b>rock the boat now. Just <b>do </b>your job well, and the sessorship of the Chambers Group <b>will </b>naturally <b>fall </b><b>to </b>you.”
<b>Avery </b>got <b>the </b>message. First, he was being dangled a carrot to keep working for the Chambers Group<b>; </b><b>second</b>, he was subtly reminded that, in essence, a CEO is still just a glorified employee.
<b>As </b>long as he held a significant share and control of the board, kicking him out of the Chambers Group would be as <b>easy as </b><b>pie</b>.
“Heh. I get it,” Avery’s expression was as dark as a brewing storm, but he ultimately held his tongue, abruptly rising and striding out of the hospital room without so much as a goodbye.
Jeff was <b>so </b>furious it nearly gave him another heart attack, and he had to down a handful of pills to calm down.
Back in his <b>car</b>, Avery was seeing red, punching the window in a fury.
“That old coot won’t cough up Matthew’s shares?” Harvey was fuming, “Now that he only has you, the Chambers Group will eventually be yours anyway. What’s he trying to do, take them to the grave with him?!”
“As much as that, I’m afraid Mr. Chad Abernathy won’t have enough patience.” Avery tugged at his tie in agitation, still feeling a suffocating tightness in his chest that he couldn’t shake off, “With Jeff, we’re basically at war now, just without the formal deration.”
“In the end, it’s all because of that damn Thaddeus, egging on Ms. Ashbourne to screw everything up! Completely threw off your game!”
Harvey couldn’t contain his rage, “Mr. Chambers, we can’t keep being led by the nose. We have to strike back!”
Avery’s eyes darkened as he pulled out his phone. Just as he was about to call Edith, another call came through.
Avery’s heart skipped a beat. Hesitant, he answered with cautious respect.
“Mr. Abernathy.”
“Did you secure Matthew’s shares?” Chad’s crisp voice came through from the other end,ced with a chilling undertone, which made him feel stifled.
“I’m sorry.” Sitting up straight, Avery exined, “Due to unforeseen circumstances, Matthew was taken by the police at the banquet, and the leverage I had…”
“Turned to dust,” the emotion through Chad’s voice was elusive.
“Mr. Abernathy, I truly apologize. However<b>, </b>please rest assured, I will find a way.”
“What can you do?”
Chad’s tone wasced with haughty disdain, <b>“</b><b>If </b>you had Matthew’s shares, you could stand up to your father. But <b>now</b>, he still holds the lifeline of the Chambers Group, and in his eyes, you’re nothing more than a glorified employee<b>.</b><b>” </b>
Glorified employee<b>. </b>Those words stung Avery like an insult to his very <b>soul</b>.
As he remained silent, Chad scoffed, “Your father, he’s been unwelltely, in hospital, correct<b>?</b><b>” </b>
09:37
Yes
Heart condition?
<b>It’s </b>a heart issue, indeed. But seemingly, it’s not as serious as one might think.”
<b>“</b><b>Old </b>age can turn small issues fatal if you’re not careful. Wouldn’t you agree, Mr. Chambers?”
Chad’s words were casual but sent a shiver down Avery’s spine, a cold realization dawning <b>on </b><b>him</b>.
“I understand your implication, Mr. Abernathy<b>.” </b>
“The man you borrowed from me is <b>already </b><b>at </b>the <b>Velvet </b><b>Haven</b>, Ms. Archer has taken care of him. I hope this <b>time</b><b>, </b>you won’t disappoint me <b>again</b>.”
Before Avery could <b>reply</b><b>, </b><b>Chad </b>hung <b>up</b>. The <b>car </b>fell into silence.
<b>“</b><b>Mr. </b>Chambers, Mr. <b>Abernathy </b><b>didn’t </b>give <b>you </b>a <b>hard </b><b>time</b><b>, </b><b>did </b><b>he</b><b>?</b>” Harvey asked tentatively.
Avery gripped his phone <b>tightly</b><b>, </b><b>his </b>gaze turning icy.
“Back <b>to </b>the Velvet Haven<b>.” </b>
<b>00-37 </b>
Good news stayed inside, bad news spread far and <b>wide</b>.