<b>Chapter </b><b>749 </b>
The words hit the boardroom like a bombshell. Gary’s face turned crimson as he mmed 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 ying in the
mud
With no outsiders present, the uncle and nephew had finallye 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 thispany. 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 itter!“.
“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 apany, 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,e 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 man 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 d women inpromising positions! Any one of them could destroy his reputation!
Gary tried to sneak a peek but Barry snapped, “Get out of my sight!” <b>Barry </b>then nced at Jareth with twitching cheeks, <b>“</b>What are you trying to do?!”
<b>“</b>Grandpa Barry, you’re quite thedies‘ man, even at your age.” Jareth took out a cigarette and ced 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<b>! </b>That “yacht meeting” <b>had </b><b>tight </b>security<b>, </b>all the guards were armed. And yet Jareth had managed to get these <b>photos</b><b>. </b><b>The </b>kid was ying hardball!
“If you don’t agree to <b>my </b>terms, I’ll have no choice but to scatter these photos around Elmsworth; let everyone have a good look at Grandpa <b>Barry’s </b>golden years<b>,</b><b>” </b>Jareth’s eyes narrowed as <b>he </b>took a drag, the cherry glowing red against his lips.
Barry shook with rage, “You<b>“</b><b>” </b>
“And there’s more where that came from. I know plenty about <b>you</b>, Grandpa Barry.” Eyes half closed<b>, </b>Jarethzily blew smoke rings, “Each one enough to enjoy your twilight years behind bars.”
Jareth! Have you lost your fricking mind?! This is the <b>grandfather </b>who raised you, <b>and </b>you’d turn on him for a woman<b>? </b>You’re no better <b>than </b>a beact<b>!</b><b>” </b><b>Gary’s </b>face paled, unable to believe Jareth’s ruthlessness
“Mani isn’t just <b>any </b>woman. She is…my <b>wife</b>, the only true love of my <b>life</b><b>. </b>Jareth’s eyes were filled <b>with </b>tears <b>he </b>refused to shed<b>, </b><b>“</b>Now, Fm just fulfilling my <b>duty </b>as <b>a husband</b>. Anyone who hurts my wife<b>, </b>no matter <b>who</b>, <b>will </b><b>pay </b><b>the </b>price.”
Even if Mari 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 ept 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 orter! 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 petnt 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<b>!</b>”
Gary knew that further protests were pointless. He red hatefully at Jareth’s stoic face before storming out like a beaten dog, mming 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!”
<b>“</b>Good. I’ll be awaiting the news.<b>” </b>
Jareth turned and strode <b>away</b><b>, </b>with Dean following closely behind.
<b>“</b>Jareth, I’ve watched you grow up. The entire Fairhaven family, even <b>your </b>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, <b>not </b><b>by </b>family<b>, </b><b>not </b><b>by </b>temperament. You’re utterly mismatched!
That girl’s too meek and timid. She <b>can’t </b>handle the Fairhaven family<b>, </b>much less you! Without a strong wife to keep you in check and to manage the Fairhaven Group<b>, </b>you’re going to have a rough time. Sooner orter, all this lovey–dovey nonsense will be ground <b>away </b><b>by </b><b>reality</b><b>!</b><b>” </b>
Jareth paused but <b>didn’t </b>turn around, “I love whom I choose, <b>and </b>Lchoose whom I love. As <b>for </b>your worries, they’re unnecessary. My shoulders are broad enough to bear it all. And Mari…she just needs to hold my hand, and that’s enough”
At K Group headquarters, <b>Evadne </b>was in her office, having been reviewing documents all afternoon.
After finishing thest one, she let out a long sigh <b>and </b>stretched her limbs with a <b>loud </b><b>“</b>ah<b>“</b><b>. </b>Just then, her phone rang. It was her older <b>brother</b>, Arnold.
“Arnold, I thought you’d forgotten about your sis after getting hitched. What’s got <b>you </b>calling me? <b>Evadne </b>
<b>12:26 </b>
drawled<b>, </b>lounging on the sofa.
“Evadne, I need to ask you something.” Arnold paused, his voice low, “Did Ms. Mari 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 contemtive, “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<b>, </b>Mr. Bartley saying his son is engaged to Ms. Mari Abernathy.” “What?!”
Evadne bolted upright, pretty eyes wide with disbelief, “Who? Who’s getting engaged to Mari? 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.”