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,

– how

I need to get her to the hospital!” Edith didn’t even wait for a response before she escorted her mother out, flanked by bodyguards,

the parking lot.

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

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, there shouldn’t be

it’s

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 hornet’s nest. The public backlash is going to

showed concern, but internally

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 possession, they had wealth beyond measure! Let her grandfather and uncle deal with the mess; as long as she could walk

on the car window startled Edith. She

of the car, he commanded with an iron edge to his

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

Now, Jareth was unyielding, his tone even

siblings had an unspoken agreement to keep their conversation

spending time with that silly girl? You were oblivious to the thunderstorm brewing at home. Why show up at this hour?”

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

his eyes glinting with barely 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. Don’t

skipped a beat, but she lifted her chin, questioning, “Do you have something to say?”

it was you. You were pulling the strings,” Jareth moved

are you rambling

Edith – I know it was

him; it was all his doing.” A sinister smirk suddenly crept across Edith’s face, “And even if I did orchestrate it, where’s your proof? Show me the evidence.”

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

one is lucky forever. No one 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 to

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

his muscular arms tensing, veins bulging with

thinking how cunning his brother’s family were. They were quick to

for all his cunning, he was at a loss on how to clean

leave!” Barry’s weathered face was ashen as he gripped his cane, his hands trembling slightly, “Walking away now would be the end of the

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. Chairman Emeric Ashbourne, Mr. Thaddeus Abernathy, we will abide by your decision. Moreover, we will take full

to protect one of their own. Now they had quickly changed their stance, ready to turn

protective arm around Evadne, he spoke in a chilling tone, “Mr. Fairhaven, do you think this settles

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

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