Chapter 176
Chester remained on one knee. “Grandfather, I’ve kept every word you said close to my heart. As for the money the Fordham family lost, I’ll find a way to make up for it.”
With that, he bowed his head deeply to the old man sitting at the head of the table.
Alistair saw the determination in Chester’s posture and knew he meant every word.
“Fine! I’d like to see what miracle you think you can pull off! Get out of
my sight!”
Another teacup shattered against the marble floor, fragments scattering at Alistair’s feet.
The Langley Residence.
A sharp slap echoed through the room.
“Dad, you hit me?!” Elena stared at her father in disbelief. He’d always been the one to spoil her.
Her father’s hand tingled from the blow as he pointed at her, his finger trembling. “Yes, I hit you, you ungrateful child! Now tell me what did you do to Gideon? Didn’t I warn you to steer clear of anyone from the Prescott Group lately? Do you have any idea what kind of mess you’ve made?”
Just recently, word came that Gideon would be visiting Portside City. To secure a deal with the Prescott family, he’d practically worn a path to the Prescott Group’s
local offices.
Others in Portside City might not realize the power the Prescott Group had amassed here, but he knew. Over the years, they’d quietly acquired the rights to some of the hottest properties and products in town.
It was only a matter of time before the city’s business elite felt the ground shift
beneath them.
He’d seen the writing on the wall–and chased after every opportunity. Finally, the Prescott Group agreed to a meeting, only to deliver a cold, final rejection: they would never do business with the Langleys.
When Elena learned Gideon was really cutting ties with the Fordham family, her cry was sharp and shrill. “Dad! It’s them–the Prescotts are blind to real power! Why should we, the Langleys, let them push us around? This is Portside City! Crushing
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a little outfit like the Prescott Group would be as easy as squashing an ant!”
Her father’s anger flared. “Easy as squashing an ant? If anyone’s getting crushed like an ant, it’s you!”
He glared at her, exasperated. “And don’t forget that fake painting you bought! I told you not to, but you wouldn’t listen–you just had to bring it home! Three hundred million dollars, gone in a flash! All because of your impulsiveness! Haven’t you learned a thing?”
He’d tried to put those disasters behind them. The Langleys could afford the loss. But he never imagined his daughter would be so utterly clueless–still making the same mistakes.
He fixed her with a steely glare. “And what’s this I hear about you spending another ten million today? What did you buy this time?!”
Elena shrank back. “N–nothing important.”
“Don’t lie to me!”
“I… I just thought a cane looked nice, so I bought it for you.” She sheepishly pulled out a gold–plated walking stick.
Her father’s vision swam with rage. “This cane isn’t worth more than two hundred grand–even with the gold and silver plating! You spent ten million on this?”
He felt like he was about to lose his mind. How could his own child be so
hopeless?
Elena dissolved into tears, too scared to say another word.
“Enough with the crying! Do you even know what you did wrong?”
“I shouldn’t… I shouldn’t have bought the cane. Sob…”
He nearly lost his composure. “Fool! It’s not about the cane–it’s Celestine! The Fordham family’s Celestine! Both times you’ve been humiliated, it was because of her! Instead of worrying about the cane, you should be worrying about her!”
Elena’s tears stopped. “So… should I send someone to get rid of her?”
Another slap landed, even harder. “What you need to do is go apologize! Make peace with her–beg for her forgiveness!”
A storm of historic proportions battered Portside City.
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Chapter 176
Celestine’s flight was canceled, leaving her stranded at her hotel.
She managed a decent night’s sleep and, upon waking, ordered herself breakfast.
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