“How dare you?” Eve seethed, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Sean had made it very evident that he was swaying toward Myra, and he disregarded his mother’s warnings along the way.
She grew indignant at the thought. When she stormed into the building earlier, she hadn’t expected Myra to be so unkind and dismiss her like she was nothing. This girl is acting high and mighty now that she has the Hart Family to back her up! “You’d better watch your manners, Myra! Don’t forget that I used to be your mother-in-law!” Eve snapped angrily.
“Thank you for the reminder but as my former mother-in-law, have you forgotten what you did to me at the time of the divorce?” Myra asked and there was a glint of dark amusement in her eyes as she assessed the woman.
She had long since understood how despicable Eve could be, and there was no point in trying to keep up the niceties under such ugly circumstances. With that in mind, she turned around and strode toward the exit, then bit out tersely, “I’m afraid you’re not welcome here in the Stark Group, Madam Chase. Please stay away from our premises and avoid causing a scene; otherwise, I won’t hesitate to look into the Marina Bay Bridge incident once more.”
Eve blanched at the warning, though Myra had brought it up without implication. The Chase Group had, indeed, been involved in the Marina Bay Bridge incident. As much as Eve wanted to retaliate, she thought better of it. She clenched her jaw and did not take another step to barricade Myra, then watched darkly as the latter brushed past her.
“One day, the Hart Family will finally see you for who you really are, Myra! Let’s see if they’ll still want you then!” Eve cursed.
However, Myra didn’t even bother with a response and she walked out of the company building, leaving the furious woman high and dry in the lobby.
…
It didn’t take long for Gemma to speed over to the Hart Group but upon her arrival, she was barred from going past the front desk. The receptionist thereafter informed her that Tony was too busy to meet her.
Gemma obstinately lingered around the lobby, but grew frustrated when it became clear that she would not be able to meet Tony today. Fuming, she got into her car and decidedly drove over to the Hart Residence instead.
She refused to believe that Sebastian and Lisa had so easily forgiven Myra. Surely they couldn’t have been so persuaded by her lies that they would allow Tony to marry her.
Unbeknown to her, the truth was that Sebastian had been incensed after news of his grandson’s alleged plans to marry Myra broke out. He was outraged that Tony had given him no notice, and had instead acted on his own accord.
However, his resentment didn’t last long. As soon as he had calmed down, he had the kitchen prepare lunch for Myra. After all, she was going to be married soon and a baby could be well within their plans. He had to make sure that she was building up enough strength to carry a child.
Having arrived at the Hart Residence, Gemma knocked on the door and asked to see the elderly couple, only to be turned away by the housekeeper. “Old Master Hart is resting in his bedroom. He has a terrible headache and he said he won’t be meeting any guests today.”
“How about Old Madam Hart?” Gemma pressed.
“She’s currently taking care of Old Master Hart so she won’t be meeting any guests either,” the housekeeper answered placidly.
Gemma understood the implication immediately. It’s not that they are not seeing guests; rather, they do not want to see me.
She gritted her teeth at the thought and she pleaded, “Could you pass them a message? Tell them that I know I made a mistake and I was too impulsive yesterday. I only posted that video because I was so worried that they would be manipulated by Myra’s lies; I never meant to hurt the Hart Family’s reputation.”
Gemma was well aware that while the video had been posted to expose and humiliate Myra, the Hart Family had undoubtedly been embarrassed in the process.
Knowing that she was presently asking for a favor, she tried her best to come off as pleasant as she kept her temper in check.
Alas, the housekeeper simply offered her an apologetic smile as she kept the girl firmly on the other side of the door. “I’m sorry, miss, but perhaps you should come back next time.”
With that, the housekeeper closed the door between them, leaving Gemma standing outside the threshold.
Her face darkened considerably at the exchange that had taken place.
It was clear to see that the Hart Family was still enamored with Myra despite the video, and it made Gemma bewildered by how things had turned out. That video is real so why are they siding her instead of me? Why are they still letting her marry into the family after seeing her true colors?
However, Gideon had warned Gemma to keep away from trouble; hence, she repressed the urge to barge through the front door to demand the elderly couple’s attention. Her fists clenched on either side of her and she thought grimly, Fine, then. I’ll just wait until Gideon and Grandpa come back to Bradfort City.
…
Meanwhile, Eve received yet another phone call from Sasha after she had left the Stark Group, and she was agitated to see that her brother and father had called repeatedly as well.
Grimly, she answered Sasha’s call, knowing that the girl would only pester her relentlessly if she didn’t.
“Hello, Aunt Eve!” Sasha was panicking on the other end of the line, and she sounded as though she was close to tears as she went on pleadingly, “You have to help me this time—please, you have to help the Hay Group!”
Eve had cut off all ties with her family after the Hay Group’s last incident.
She couldn’t help recalling how she had begged for her family’s help back when the Chase Group was in trouble, but all her father and brother had given her was two million in cash. They had made it clear that the cash was all the help they were willing to give her, and told her that she could return to the family and live a carefree life should the Chase Group collapse.
When Sasha had approached her for help previously, Eve had returned the favor by writing them a check for twice the amount they had given her. Presently, she was beginning to grow tired of her niece as the girl pestered her once more.
With forced patience, she said placatingly, “Sasha, I would love to help you but things are a bit tight for the Chase Group at the moment. You know that Myra has taken away half of Hiliville after the divorce and we had to sell off the remaining half at below market price. There truly is nothing I can do for you.”
Eve grimaced at the thought that Myra had taken away half of the company’s real estate project.
“Grandpa mentioned that Sean has a couple of worthwhile projects lined up. If you could let the Hay Group collaborate on them, then we could keep things afloat for some time while we figure things out. Please, Aunt Eve, I’m begging you!” Sasha had been left with no choice but to resort to asking her aunt for such a favor, having been left behind by Gemma at the basement carpark.
Before this, she had always thought of herself as better than Eve, though she never showed it. She didn’t think that the tables would turn on her, and now she was begging her aunt for a favor just so she could save her family’s company.
Upon hearing that the Hays were eyeing her son’s recent projects, Eve frowned and her expression darkened as she answered coldly, “I’ll talk to Sean but there’s no guarantee that he will agree to it. Right, then; it’s getting late and I have a few errands to run. Goodbye, Sasha.”
Eve didn’t wait for a response before she swiftly ended the call.
Now that the Hays were having a hard time surviving in Bradfort City, she couldn’t risk the Chase Group being associated with them. In fact, it was crucial for her to avoid them at all costs in times like these.
Then, irritated by the recent events that seemed to work against her, she slid into her car and drove away with a sour look on her face.
…
A storm appeared to be brewing in Bradfort City following Myra’s recent scandal, which mainly revolved around her alleged affair and the subsequent rumors of her marriage into the Hart Family.
While Cameron and Kris had yet to stir up trouble, Myra’s guard was still up as she tried to anticipate whatever next move they might make.
In the blink of an eye, Tony’s birthday had arrived and the banquet thrown in his honor was to be held at the Ritz Carlton.
It was meant to be an extravagant occasion, given that it was the first birthday banquet held in honor of the heir to the Hart Group.
Even Conan couldn’t help but be amused as he told Myra, “Aren’t we making a huge loss by throwing him such a grand birthday party? We are family, after all.”
Myra had retorted in hushed tones, “I’m not family yet so I can’t escape the bill.”
Upon hearing this, Tony raised a brow and on that same night, he decided to educate her on a couple of family values in advance.
…
On the afternoon of the day of Tony’s banquet, Myra had gotten off work early. She had just walked out of the company building when she saw Leo standing in front of an elegant Mercedes-Benz G500. Upon seeing her, Leo nodded and said, “Miss Stark, Director Hart has asked that I escort you to the atelier.”
Myra couldn’t help but smile at the sight of the vehicle. When she said that the black Mercedes-Benz G500 was a bold and elegant ride, she had meant it as nothing more than a passing remark. She didn’t think that Tony would have Leo pick her up in the same car.
Nodding, she flashed Leo a bright smile and slid into the vehicle.
