<b>Chapter </b><b>719 </b>
The news that Bevis had been ousted from the boardroom by Ms. Ashbourne, and subsequently fired for embezzlingpany funds, spread like wildfire through <b>the </b>entire <b>K </b>Group.
It was like a plot straight out of a feel–good movie<b>, </b>delighting everyone to <b>the </b>core!
Bevis, emboldened by <b>his </b>status as the chairman’s own brother<b>, </b>had been throwing his weight around <b>the </bpany for far too long, demanding kickbacks and abusing his power, which <b>already </b><b>had </b>exasperated <b>other </b>members. Ms. Ashbourne stepping into her new role and <b>ousting </b>such a parasitic leech had everyone breathing a sigh of <b>relief</b>. How could <b>they </b><b>not </b><b>rejoice</b>?
<b>Bevis </b>returned <b>home</b><b>, </b><b>his </b>face the picture of <b>defeat</b>, and in a fit of anger<b>, </b>he tossed his coat at the maid the moment he stepped <b>in </b><b>the </b><b>house</b>.
The maid, caught off guard<b>, </b>failed to catch <b>it</b><b>, </b>and <b>the </b>coat <b>fell </b><b>to </b>the floor. Over such a trivial matter, Bevis erupted in rage and kicked the maid so hard <b>she </b>fell <b>to </b>the ground and couldn’t get up for <b>a </b>long time.
“Useless<b>! </b>Get <b>out!</b><b>” </b>
At that moment, Dolores rushed in, a look of deep concern etched on her face, “Dad! You’ve been sacked?! Is it <b>true</b><b>?!</b><b>” </b>
The fact that even his vapid, spendthrift daughter, whose mind was upied only with shopping and stic surgery, had <b>heard </b>the news spoke volumes about the extent of the scandal.
Probably the entire businessmunity of Skyrim knew by now! Bevis was livid with anger, and in his fury, he flung all the things on the coffee table to the floor.
He <b>had </b>thought that at this board meeting, with Emeric and Cassius both out of Skyrim, he could show that little upstart <b>a </b>lesson. But instead of making a grand entrance, he ended up exposing his backside, thoroughly humiliated by Evadne. It was a disgrace<b>! </b>
“Even you know about it, so how can it be fake?!” Bevis spat, his mouth twitching with rage.
“Oh no! With you out of power in the K Group, what will happen to me?!” Dolores panicked, grabbing her father’s arm and shaking it frantically, “How will I ever hold my head up in high society now? Those sons and daughters of the elite look down <b>on </b>everyone else. If you’re kicked out of the K Group, they won’t want to associate with me anymore! How will I ever find a wealthy husband now?!”
The thought crossed Bevis‘ mind, and he too felt an overwhelming headacheing on. His downfall would directly affect his daughter’s prospects for marriage.
“It’s all thanks to that wretched Evadne! When the cat’s away, the mice will y!”
“Dad, maybe you should plead with Uncle Emeric! He’s always doted on you as his only brother. Maybe he could.”
“No way!” Bevis pushed Dolores away with a forceful gesture, “Evadne already knows I was the one who leaked the video. If she had told Emeric, things wouldn’t be so quiet still! If I go begging to Emeric for mercy now, Evadne will tell that old fox everything. Emeric has no ws except his pride. If he finds out I was the one who humiliated him, we might not even be brothers anymore. This trump card would be utterly useless!”
Dolores was stunned, “So, Evadne’s using this as leverage against you. She’s anticipated you’d seek Uncle Emeric’s help. That woman, how cunning!”
Bevis‘ gaze turned dark, his mind racing. He knew that Emeric’s indulgence wasn’t all brotherly love. Much of it was in remembrance of the woman he once saved – Emeric’s beloved wife.
That angelic sister–inw had been dead for nearly twenty years, and yet her memory had protected him for just as long.
But now, with Evadne in power, his favor might not carry any weight. He needed a new n to ensure his own survival.
“Oh no, President Ashbourne! Disaster, disaster!” The secretary burst in, panicked, “Just now, the IRS seized two of the restaurants under your name, and five of the beauty salons under Ms. Ashbourne’s name!”
The Ashbourne father and daughter went pale, “What?!<b>” </b>
“The initial estimates just the restaurants owe over two million in back taxes! The beauty salons haven’t been calcted yet! <b>If </b>they keep digging, it could be four or five million! Also, on my way here, Gabriel called to say he tried to reach you on your cell but there was no answer. He wanted me to tell you that you’re going to have to reimburse him to thest cent for the restaurant losses, or he’ll never let this go!”
Dolores copsed onto the sofa, utterly devastated, while Bevis felt the world spin, his chest constricting with pain.
09:37
<b>“</b>Evadne, you <b>dare </b>to strike <b>from </b>the shadows? You’ll be <b>my </b>sworn <b>enemy</b><b>! </b>
Avery rushed back to the Velvet Haven as quickly as possible. After all, he <b>had </b>borrowed the man <b>from </b>Mr. Chad Abernathy, and <b>even </b>if it was just a subordinate, <b>he </b>couldn’t afford to be too dismissive
Upon entering. Elsie was already there <b>to </b>greet <b>him</b><b>. </b>
<b>“</b>Is he here?” Avery asked, his tone cool.
Yes, in the private room<b>.</b><b>” </b>
<b>“</b><b>Is </b>he coops.ative?”
Elsie frowned<b>, </b>“He’s reticent and <b>a </b><b>bit </b>odd.”
“Odd<b>?</b><b>” </b>
You’ll see <b>what </b>I mean when you meet him<b>.</b>”
Avery approached the door, <b>and </b>Elsie opened <b>it </b><b>for </b>him.
“Wait outside for me,” with that<b>, </b>he stepped <b>in</b><b>. </b>
Elsie’s face tightened<b>, </b>her fingers curling inward secretly. She knew that Avery was beginning to <b>suspect </b>her.
If she <b>didn’t </b>take action against Elvis, she would be slowly marginalized. And she could well imagine what awaited <b>her </b><b>in </b><b>the </b><b>end</b>.
Inside the opulent room<b>, </b>a tall, rugged man dressed in a ck leather jacket with a casual ck hoodie underneath was drinking vodka straight.
His demeanor was detached and cold, with an aura that kept people at bay. He downed one ss after another, the strong liquor seemingly just water <i>to </i>him.
Avery steadied himself and approached the man with a smile, “Thanks for making the trip. It must have been tough.”
However, the man didn’t even nce at Avery<b>, </b>simply focusing on his drink.
Avery’s expression soured slightly, but considering the man was sent by Chad, he persisted with a smile.
“May I know your name, <b>sir?</b><b>” </b>
The man’s voice was hoarse and icy cold, “Hans.”
“I’m Avery, responsible for Mr. Abernathy’s interests in Helgen and Elmsworth markets. A pleasure.”
Avery extended his right hand, and it was then that Hans finally looked up. The dim lighting and Hans‘ long fringe had obscured his face until now.
And then Avery saw his face clearly – sharp, handsome features with brooding eyes that hinted at a tough, seasoned life. Avery stared at the man’s striking face, his heart skipping a beat.
Hank’s voice dropped to an icy whisper as he asked, “Who are you nning to take down<b>?</b><b>” </b>
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