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!

drained, she was sweating

– how

it anymore; I need to get her to the hospital!” Edith didn’t even wait for a response before she escorted her mother

parking

to return. 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? It’s a disaster!” Mrs. Fairhaven murmured

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

doubt it’s that

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 by tomorrow. And your grandpa

showed concern, but

a lifetime. With plenty of assets and the Fairhaven Group’s share’s in her brother’s possession, they had wealth beyond

sound of someone tapping on the car window startled Edith. She looked up sharply and met

of the car, he commanded with an iron edge

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

unyielding, his tone

lips as she stepped out, of the car. The siblings had an unspoken agreement to keep their conversation away from their mother’s ears, so they distanced

spending time with that silly girl? You were oblivious to the thunderstorm brewing at home.

a glare; with a flick of her manicured fingers, Edith feigned indifference while appreciating her flashy fingernails, “Why don’t you run along to your silly girl?

your sister–in–law. If you keep acting out, you’ll find yourself in

but she lifted her

You were pulling the strings,” Jareth moved his lips,

are you rambling

him up to it. No more lies, Edith – I

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

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

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 to the Fairhaven family and took the fall for you. But not everyone is Duke. Your misdeeds will catch up with

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

arms tensing, veins bulging with

brother’s family were. They were quick to claim victories and even quicker

Gary was done; for all his cunning, he was

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

alongside my sons, never wanting for anything. The Fairhaven family has treated you well. How could you commit such despicable

concern, hoping to protect one of their own.

words sounded noble, as if he had considered everything. Thaddeus, however, was not satisfied. With a protective arm around Evadne, he spoke in

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

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