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!

and mentally drained, she was sweating

– how

even wait for a response before she escorted her mother out, flanked

parking lot.

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

them who’s boss.” Edith soothed her mother’s back, her eyes filled with a sinister chill, “But now with 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,

it’s that

was from a distinguished family and saw things clearly, shaking her head in distress, “You saw it yourself; the whole thing was broadcast live. Even if it truly is 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

concern, but internally

away enough money for her and her mother to live lavishly for a lifetime. With plenty of assets and the Fairhaven Group’s share’s in her brother’s

someone tapping on the car window startled Edith. She looked up sharply and met Jareth’s icy stare.

of the car, he commanded with an iron edge to

is your sister. Can’t you speak to her a little more softly?” Mrs. Fairhaven

Jareth was unyielding, his

siblings had an unspoken agreement to keep their conversation away from

spending time with that silly girl? You were oblivious to

fingers, Edith feigned indifference while appreciating her flashy fingernails, “Why don’t you run along to your silly girl? She’s probably

contained 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.

beat, but she lifted her chin, questioning, “Do you have something to

was you. You were pulling the strings,” Jareth

are you rambling

him up to it. No more lies, Edith – I know it was you, Jareth gritted his teeth, clenching

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

a thunderous crash, Jareth’s fist slammed into the wall beside Edith’s head,

locking eyes with her, devoid of any sibling warmth, “Duke looked after you like his own since you were a kid. He was loyal to the

You’ve lost our dad, abandoned your sister, and now you’d risk losing our mom? She loves me; I am her world. If anything were to happen to me, what do you think would become of her frail health? Could she even go on living?” Edith shook her head, her eyes glinting

muscular arms tensing, veins bulging

his brother’s family were. They were quick to claim victories

leave, Dad!” Gary was done; for all his cunning, he was at a loss on how to clean up

gripped his cane, his hands trembling slightly, “Walking away now

there he stood, maintaining the dignity of the family patriarch in front of a million viewers, cutting ties with Duke 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

to protect one of their own. Now they had quickly changed their

he had considered everything. Thaddeus, however, was not satisfied. With a protective arm around Evadne,

the culprit, and we’ve committed to taking full responsibility. What more do you want?!” Gary, incensed, could barely contain his trembling

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