Currently, the S-Star Group was beset by internal and external troubles. With his right-hand man, Lionel, behind bars, and Aviana taking charge at headquarters, Mark only had Lilian by his side.


    Taking a deep breath, Mark''s gaze darkened as he stared at Avery—a figure of arrogance personified, with intentions as twisted as the serpents hidden behind his stylish spectacles.


    Lilian, having weathered many a storm with Mark, faintly sensed the malicious intent and ambition emanating from Avery.


    "Mr. Mark Griffith, you don''t seem to be in good health. Quite ill, I presume?" Avery remarked with a sneer.


    Before Mark could even offer a seat, Harvey had already brought one over, and Avery seated himself with an elegance.


    Such disdain, such arrogance-this was no bedside manner of a visitor; it was a clear challenge!


    Anger surged within Lilian, but before she could speak up, Mark preempted with a cold voice, cutting through the tension.


    "Mr. Chambers, if you''vee to pay your respects, you''ve done so. Could you leave by now?"


    "Mr. Mark Griffith, let''s not rush things."


    Leaning back with an air of nonchnce, Avery crossed his legs leisurely. "I''m here not just to pay you a visit, but mainly to discuss business."


    "Business? I have no business to discuss with you!"


    Mark''s voice wavered with barely contained irritation. "Show our guest out."


    "I''m here to make an offer on S-Star Group." Avery''s lips curled into a cold smile, revealing his grand ambitions.


    Audacious, to say the least!


    "What did you just say?!" Mark''s face flushed with a mix of fury and shock.


    S-Star Group was his life''s work, not just his, but also Emeric''s, who had silently supported him from the shadows. Over the years, Emeric had poured over three billion into thepany to get projects off the ground in Elmsworth and beyond.


    And all of this, Aviana didn''t know, nor did Evadne and the rest of the Ashbourne family. It was Chairman Emeric using his own money to subsidize the Griffith family, and he never asked for repayment!


    And now, Avery, this upstart, dared to talk of a takeover S-Star Group. How could he tolerate it?


    What difference was there between that and letting this snotty little brat relieve himself on his neck?


    Mark scoffed at the audacity. "Dream on, Mr. Chambers. S-Star Group isn''t some publicpany you can just snap up. Over my dead body!"


    "That''s true, which is why I''m here, to personally discuss with you."


    Avery said, the smirk never leaving his face as he gestured grandly, "Everyone knows I''ve taken over the Chambers Group. In Elmsworth, it''s either the Abernathy Group or mine. If S-Star Group wants a future here, you''ll need to know who you can and cannot afford to cross. Without my goodwill, even the cops might find reasons to wander through your doors more often than not. How long do you think your business can survive that?"


    Lilian could feel Mark''s hand turning ice cold with dread.


    "Consider this a generous offer, Mr. Griffith. Take the money, get well, and enjoy your retirement with your wife. Miss this chance, and when S-Star Group crumbles, not even giving it away will rid you of it."


    Avery wrote a check with a sum that most could only dream of and handed it to Harvey, who presented it to Mark with a reverence that bordered on mockery.


    Mark, struggling for breath, took the check.


    Avery''s smile deepened, but his smugnesssted no more than three seconds before Mr. Mark Griffith tore the check into shreds!


    The room seemed to drop a few degrees as Avery''s demeanor shifted from smug satisfaction to icy threat.


    "I won''t sell it to anyone but you!"


    With a flick of his wrist, Mark scattered the bits of paper like fallen leaves, "Take your filthy money and get out!"


    Harvey looked about to erupt, but Avery calmly stopped him with a gesture, "Perhaps we can find another way toe to an agreement."


    His eyes narrowed, a sinister gleam within, "Sell me S-Star Group, and I''ll ensure Lionel walks free from his charges. He''s about to be indicted for manughter- with some luck, it might be the death penalty; without luck, life imprisonment. A deal is a deal. You sign the transfer agreement, and I guarantee, he will be safely back by your side within a week."


    Mark was staggered, his heart clenching as if in spasm!


    Lionel was more son than subordinate to him. How could he stand by and watch him die?


    With a myriad of conflicting emotions and struggles,, Mark found the contract and pen shoved before him by Harvey. The paper felt like a thousand pounds, its weight unbearable!


    Trembling, Mark picked up the pen, but hesitated to sign his own name.


    "Mark." Lilian''s heart twisted in pain, tears streaming uncontrobly down her cheeks.


    Avery nced at his watch, impatience written all over him, "I''m busy and don''t have time to waste. Make your decision quickly, Mr. Griffith. You may have the luxury of waiting, but Lionel does not."


    With a heavy heart, Mark finally made up his mind and prepared to sign his name.


    Just then, a deep,manding voice sliced through the air, as if the resounding toll of a centuries-old bell in a long-forgotten cathedral, reverberating powerfully:


    "Hold on!"