Chapter 454

Evadne gasped; it was only now that she noticed the blinking green light in a hidden corner. A camera had been set up without her realizing, and the whole sordid affair with the Fairhaven family’s smug denials and Gary’s bully–boy antics had been broadcast live!

Everything had happened so stealthily that even the detail–oriented Evadne had failed to notice in time.

The live chat was exploding with viewers pouring in. The viewer count had skyrocketed past five million!

[Holy smokes! The Fairhaven Group were beyond ruthless! To win a competition they would stoop to harming animals, and they nearly killed Ms. Ashbourne! That’s a crime! That’s murder!]

[Utterly despicable! Morally bankrupt! They’ve hit a new low!]

[The Fairhaven family were rotten to the core. Barry’s dad was nothing but a dockworker at the Skyrim ports back in the day, hauling sacks for a living before turning into a thug. But he was gutsy and ruthless, and it was that along with a stroke of luck that saw him rise to mob leader. That’s how the Fairhaven Group started.]

[Oh, it figures! Just street thugs at heart, no wonder they’re so utterly shameless!]

[Indeed, compared to a true blue–blooded dynasty like the Ashbourne family, they’re nothing! Edith trying to measure up to Ms. Ashbourne is like trying to touch the moon by standing on tiptoes!]

[Oh dear! Why does Mr. Jareth Fairhaven have to be tied to the Fairhaven family? He’s such a looker; it’s a crying shame!]

[The commenter above, what are you on about? Since when do we judge good from evil based on looks? Although, I must admit Jareth is quite the eye–candy.]

Thaddeus had been plotting the live stream long before it all kicked off, and he’d given Jareth the heads up.

At first, he had worries, but Jareth was nonchalant, waving his hand dismissively, “Go for it. And don’t just go for it; I want you to make a real show. Gary has high blood pressure; if you can get him bedridden for a couple of weeks, I’d owe you one!”

Thaddeus could only smile wryly, “You’re always such a rebel. But you should know, public opinion is a powerful thing – it can float you, and it can sink you.”

Jareth flicked his cigarette casually, “I used to think I was one of the Fairhaven family. But now I have my own life, so let the Fairhaven family be the Fairhaven family, and Jareth will be Jareth.”

The live broadcast utterly dissipated the Fairhaven family’s arrogance. Edith watched as her family was skewered by public opinion, berated and vilified. Rather than worrying about her grandfather who always doted on her, she was relieved that Duke hadn’t thrown her under the bus.

And she managed to keep her cool, not showing fear or wetting herself with panic like Elspeth. Imagine if that had been caught on camera – mortifying! The Fairhaven family might be shameless, but she had to save face!

Fairhaven couldn’t handle the scandal. Physically and mentally drained,

– how

Barry, Uncle Gary, Mom can’t take it anymore; I need to get her to the hospital!” Edith didn’t even wait for

parking

It was half fright and half not wanting to stay and lose face any longer. “Duke is usually so cautious and reliable; how could he act so recklessly this time?

this mess, it’s his own bad luck. Grandpa and Uncle just need to throw Duke to the wolves, let him take the fall as the Ashbourne family’s punch bag. If we insist this was all Duke’s idea and nothing to do with the Fairhaven Group, there

it’s

Duke’s fault, he’s still a member of the Fairhaven Group, and our attitude towards Thaddeus and Evadne was so confrontational. It’s like we’ve provoked a hornet’s nest. The public backlash is going to hit the Fairhaven Group’s stock prices and reputation hard; they’ll plummet

but

of assets and the Fairhaven Group’s share’s in her brother’s possession, they had wealth beyond measure! Let her grandfather and uncle deal with the mess; as long as she could walk away unscathed.

the car window startled Edith. She looked up sharply

get out of the car, he commanded with an

her a little more softly?” Mrs. Fairhaven chided, defending her daughter.

Jareth was unyielding, his

The siblings had an unspoken agreement to

you been busy spending time with that silly girl? You were oblivious to

flashy fingernails, “Why don’t you run along to your silly girl? She’s probably a mess without

fury, “You should count your blessings that I still let Marilla be your sister–in–law. If you keep acting out, you’ll find yourself in the same league as the likes of Glynnis. My treatment of them will be a preview of your future. Don’t believe me? Just

she lifted her chin, questioning,

You were pulling the strings,” Jareth

you rambling

No more lies, Edith – I know it was

it was all his doing.” A sinister smirk suddenly crept across Edith’s face, “And even if I did orchestrate it, where’s

into the wall beside Edith’s head, making

gets to use others as stepping stones without paying a price,” he seethed, locking eyes with her, devoid of any sibling warmth, “Duke looked after you like his own since you were a kid. He was loyal

your sister, and now you’d risk losing our mom? She loves me; I am her world. If anything were to happen to

was taken aback, his muscular arms tensing, veins bulging with pent–up

were. They were quick to claim victories and even quicker to dodge

done; for all his cunning, he was at a loss

weathered face was ashen as he gripped his cane, his hands trembling slightly, “Walking away now

in a bid to salvage their name, “Duke, I brought you from the orphanage. You were raised alongside my sons, never wanting for anything. The Fairhaven family has treated you well. How could you commit such despicable acts? I’ve always considered you family. Where does this leave us? Duke, I am bitterly disappointed in you. Now that the evidence is clear, you’re guilty.

before, the Fairhaven family had shown no concern, hoping to protect

was not satisfied. With a protective arm around Evadne, he spoke in a chilling tone, “Mr. Fairhaven, do you

culprit, and we’ve committed to taking full

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