Chapter 613


    Chapter 613


    In the restaurant, the tension was palpable – the air felt like it could freeze solid at any moment.


    Barry and Jareth were at an impasse, the situation spiraling into an ungainly mess.


    “Ahaha. Ohe on, Dad, Jareth, it’s not every day we get to have a family dinner together. Let’s not


    do this!” Gary chuckled as he walked behind Barry, gently guiding him back into his chair and kneading


    his shoulders. “Dad, Jareth’s been running the Fairhaven empire for us, working tirelessly from dawn till


    dusk. The kid’s been a real hero for our family.”


    Jareth red at Gary’s weaselly grin, not for a second believing he had anything worthwhile to say.


    “Just think about it, over the years, has Jareth ever asked you for anything?”


    Barry’s brows knitted together as he pondered. His eldest son had passed away early, leaving only


    Jareth. The boy had shouldered the responsibility of caring for his mother and sister from a young age.


    And throughout the years, he had been making his own way in the world, his investment projects raking


    in profits, his business ventures in Elmsworth expanding wildly. Indeed, he had never once asked for a


    handout from the family patriarch.


    Seeing Barry’s expression soften, Gary pressed on with a grin, “Now, Jareth wants to marry the heiress


    of the Abernathy family. It’s rare to see him reaching out to you for something he wants. Let’s make it


    happen for him.”


    Barry looked up in surprise, lips pressed tight.


    Jareth was taken aback. He hadn’t expected Gary, who had vehemently opposed his ns earlier, to


    suddenly be wagging his tail and taking his side.


    What had gotten into him? Had he gone out for a breath of fresh air and cleared his head of all its


    cobwebs?


    Gary leaned in closer, whispering to Barry, “The Abernathy girl has Elspeth’s blood, true, but she’s also


    Frederic’s daughter. She’s a genuine Abernathy heiress. The Abernathy Group reigns supreme in


    Elmsworth, and an alliance through marriage could only benefit us. Since we have no business


    dealings with them, why not tie them to us through marriage? If we y our cards right, the Abernathy


    family will surely throw us a bone out of familial obligation.”


    Gary’s voice dropped to a near whisper, “As for that Abernathy girl. You shouldn’t lose any sleep over it.


    We know Jareth. He’s just after the thrill, and the fact that she’s his buddy’s little sister adds an extra


    kick.”


    Barry clicked his tongue, disgusted with Gary’s vulgar insinuations.


    “Hey, I’m just saying, even if she does be part of the family, what of it? Give it a couple of years,


    and Jareth will tire of her, finding her more of a nuisance than anything. By then, we’ll have milked the


    Abernathys for all they’re worth, and the marriage will have run its course. You know how these things


    go. We’ve got the upper hand, being the men in the family. We can’t lose.”


    Too far to overhear the conversation, Jareth could only watch as Barry’s face visibly rxed.


    “Jareth, if you’re so set on this girl, I’ll give you my blessing,” Barry said, offering a way out with some


    reluctance, “But I won’t go to the Abernathys on your behalf. If you want this woman, you’ll have to fight


    for her yourself. If the Abernathys agree, then I have nothing more to say.”


    Mrs. Fairhaven and April were stunned, one looking at her father–inw, the other at her husband.


    Jareth could scarcely believe his ears, a wild joy dancing in his eyes as he beamed a bri youthful smile.


    Thank you, Grandpa. Thank you for your blessing! I’ll bring her to meet you as soon as I can!”


    After the family dinner, Jareth hurried home, eager to see his future bride.


    her only son had left her behind, fixated on that sly fox of a girl born to Elspeth.


    Mrs. Fairhaven watched her son’s retreating figure, a surge of bitterness and Ss welled up in her.


    Without Edith by her side,


    Clinging to her chest, shemented, “Why must my life be so hard.”


    You call that hard? You’re about to have an heiress for a daughter–inw. If I were you, I’d be lighting


    the biggest candle in church, April said, sidling up to her with a smile. “Once Edithes back, your


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    farmily will beplete. You should find a way to bring her home.”


    “Yes, Edith needs toe back to me!” Mrs. Fairhaven’s thoughts turned to her daughter out there on


    her own, and she couldn’t hold back the tears.


    As April got into her car, her smile vanished, reced by a cold stare directed at her husband,


    engrossed in his mobile game. What are you up to, really? Weren’t you against Jareth’s marriage with


    the Abernathy girl at first? Why the sudden change?” The things you don’t understand,” Gary said


    cryptically, his lips curling into a sinister smile. This is what you call a set–up. I want Jareth to feel on


    top of the world, to believe he has everything in his grasp. The higher he stands, the harder he’ll fall.”