Alistair was so overcome with rage that he collapsed on the spot.
“Dad!”
“Grandpa!”
The birthday banquet came to an abrupt end.
Not wanting to make a public scene, the Fordham family quickly called a private doctor to the house.
“Mr. Alistair Fordham’s old condition has flared up again. Please, do not provoke him or let him get this agitated. Fainting from anger is no small matter–you can’t afford to take chances with this,” the doctor warned sternly after finishing his
examination.
Chester nodded, trying to steady his nerves. “Thank you, Doctor. Do you know when my grandfather might wake up?”
“At the earliest, tomorrow morning,” the doctor replied.
Everyone in the Fordham household wore grave expressions.
Although the cancellation of the banquet was officially blamed on Alistair’s health, guests were left whispering and speculating about the real cause.
Chester’s uncle, Harrison Fordham, had rushed over straight from the office after wrapping up urgent business. He’d always had reservations about his nephew inheriting the family business, and now his frustration was boiling over.
“Chester, what on earth is going on in your house? Your grandfather just recovered, and all year he looks forward to this one day. Can’t you keep it together for his sake? Your father’s off gallivanting overseas in his old age, and you–well, you’re getting lazier by the day, tangled up with two women! If you two can’t behave in Portside City, at least spare us the embarrassment here in Oceanview. The whole city is laughing at the Fordham family!”
Chester remained silent, head bowed. “You’re right, Uncle Harrison.”
Dahlia, Chester’s mother, stepped in anxiously to defend her son. “Harrison, don’t blame Chester for all this. It’s not his fault. If anyone’s to blame, it’s that foolish girl in the family, and the scheming woman outside. They’ve brought nothing but trouble!”
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Chapter 152
Uncle Harrison rounded on her, his anger undiminished. “He’s almost thirty, Dahlijal He’s not a child you can keep coddling. If he can’t handle our family’s mess, how can we trust him with the company? You spoil him rotten, and it’s clouding your judgment!”
Dahlia pursed her lips, retorting, “And you’re such a model parent? Victor turned out no better–he let a woman ruin him-
”
Chester shot her a warning look. “Mom.”
Victor Fordham, Chester’s cousin, had been at the center of a scandal years ago–set up by others, exposed for inappropriate relations with an employee. Back then, Chester had been the one to quietly handle the fallout, saving both Victor’s reputation and the family business, which had secured his own position as heir. Victor, meanwhile, had spent the years since abroad, claiming to be recovering his health, only returning under escort for major holidays. The whole affair was a sore spot for Uncle Harrison.
If Dahlia kept pushing, today’s argument would never end.
Sensing this, she bit her tongue and found an excuse to slip away.
Harrison ground his teeth in frustration. “I wash my hands of your branch of the family!”
Victor had indeed made a mistake, but his real error was leaving evidence–enough for others to use against him. Six years had passed, yet Alistair never allowed Victor to return home. The instigator behind it all, Harrison thought bitterly, was truly vicious.
Chester, ignoring his uncle’s anger, spoke calmly. “Uncle Harrison, let’s not get worked up. I’ve heard that Portside City is looking to connect with the Prescotts. As it happens, the Prescott heir is a close friend of my wife’s. I might have a proposal you’d be interested in. Would you care to hear it?”
Harrison shot him a suspicious look. “You’re not serious, are you? The Prescotts just announced they’d never work with us. I thought that was odd at the time…”
He narrowed his eyes. “How could your wife possibly be friends with their heir?”
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