Chapter 534
Wendy''s withered hand was trampled beneath the feet of her sons and daughters-inw, kicked around
as though it were a ser ball.
Wendy was yanked from her wheelchair to the floor by Nancy, like a dying, desated old dog,
repeatedly jabbed by the pointed heel of Nancy''s stiletto.
Vivienne said nothing.
Percival said nothing.
Such dutiful descendants Wendy had indeed!
"You useless old hag, I''ve tolerated you for far too long. Our side of the family has done the most; in the
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end, we''re left with nothing. Your tant favoritism for your daughter could make a saint rage, and now
you still expect to charm us with a mere sliver of shares? Ptooey!"
Eliza was no better off. Teresa had always been the most envious of the Ashford family''s assets, and
now that they were all in Eliza''s hands, her resentment was even more palpable.
Thinking of the energy and the sacrifices her son had made for such meager gains only stoked
Teresa''s fury, making her blows all the more vicious.
"You little vixen, I knew you were never as kindhearted as you pretended, unting your shares as bait.
You really overestimate yourself. If you don’t cough up the Ashford family''s funds today, I’ll beat you to
a pulp!"
Once greed infects the human heart, it ceases to be human at all.
Vivienne had seen her fair share of families torn apart by petty squabbles over inheritance; the Brooks
and the Ellingtons had sumbed to simr fates.
For the sake of money, they would abandon principles and kinship without a second thought.
The Boyds were no different, willing to tear each other apart over a fortune, treating their elderly
mother''s hand as if it were nothing more than trash to be kicked around.
Sharp stilettos and ring-adorned fists became weapons in the battle for wealth.
Even without this fortune, such a family was destined to be a casualty of greed before long.
Percival draped his coat over Vivienne''s shoulders and embraced her, steering her away from the Boyd
Mansion.
The Boyd family''s reckoning was still toe.
After leaving the Boyd Mansion, Vivienne received a text from Matthew.
[Vivienne, Patrick''s been bailed out.]
She pocketed her phone, "Wendy still has that kind of clout?"
Percival scoffed. "None of the Boyds do."
The Boyds were still reliant on the Ashfords to expand their business. With Patrick in such hot water,
the Boyds would be lucky to save their own skins, let alone bail him out.
What a joke.
Vivienne smiled subtly, her approval apparent. "The people my mother picked would always have some
tricks up their sleeves."
...
At the Ashford Mansion, Patrick, freshly dressed and invigorated with some medicine, finally stepped
through the front door.
Terrified, Gillian flung herself at her father. "Dad, you''re finally back. I was so scared, I thought you’d
never return."
Patrick ruffled his daughter''s hair. "Didn''t I tell you I''d be gone for a bit and back soon? With my girl
here, how could I note back?"
"Right, my dad''s the best," Gillian said, leading him to the couch. "Dad, I did everything you told me to.
But how did you know the Boyds woulde to us for a deal?"
Though Gillian often yed the airhead, yearning to be the darling of Sea City''s elite bachelors, she
was far from foolish. How else could she have wrapped so many around her finger?
The words Eliza had thrown at her were nothing but leftovers from Gillian''s ybook.
It was clear to her that the contract was Eliza''s attempt to monopolize the Ashford family''s enterprises.
Wishing to capture the prey without hunting, how delusional.
But Patrick had made his instructions clear before the yacht g: if the Ashfords were in trouble and
the Boyds came sniffing around for an advantage, let them have it. Gillian was to simply y along and
sign the deal.
So, when Eliza approached, Gillian feigned panic and, under Eliza''s guidance, signed the contract.
Patrick chuckled. "Those greedy dogs in the Boyd family would not miss a chance to gnaw on a bone.
But they should check if they''ve got the teeth for it. Gillian, once I swallow up the Boyd Group, we''ll
reach out to the Ellingtons, and you''ll marry into their family, alright?"
Gillian snuggled against Patrick''s shoulder. "I knew you''d always look out for me, Dad. I’ll listen to you
from now on and stop making foolish mistakes."
"I have only one daughter, and I won''t let you suffer. But remember, never act on your own. Marrying
Percival won''t be easy; we must y our cards right."
Patrick''s gaze grew more profound, his murky eyes harboring a strange light, betraying his deep
thoughts.
Lost in her fantasies, Gillian missed her father''s subtle shift.
Patrick''s release made headlines, and he quickly called a press conference to clear the air.
I, Patrick, swear again that neither I nor the Ashford Group will engage in any uwful activities. We
aremitted to beingw-abiding citizens. Thank you, everyone."
Patrick''s impassioned speech quickly spread across the inte through live streams and media
coverage, effectively severing his association with the three-ton Keco that had been looming over his
head.
After the press conference, Patrick stepped down from the stage and went to the lounge at the back.
No sooner had he closed the door than a woman dressed as a reporter entered, conspicuously without
a camera or microphone.
Copsing onto the couch, Patrick loosened his tie and did not seem surprised by the visitor.
"Well, that was quite the heart-stirring speech, Mr. Ashford," the ''reporter'' said, perching opposite
Patrick with a sly grin.
Patrick half-opened his eyes, giving the woman a sidelong nce before chuckling. "F-Poison sent
you?" Draмa?ovеls.cом
"Yes." The woman narrowed her eyes and ripped off the press badge hanging around her neck,
casually tossing it onto the table. "You can call me Quincy."
Patrick straightened up. "Weird name for a pretty girl. What''s the word from F-Poison?"
To any onlooker, she might have seemed amiable enough.
But to Patrick, her words were like an iceberg passing through, making him straighten up involuntarily.
"Mr. Ashford, if your daughter had not meddled, Percival might already be dead," Quincy said, eyes
narrowing as she gave Patrick a frosty look.