NovelEnglishChapter 769
Aaron’s brow furrowed tighter, his gaze growing icier by the second,
“So you're tellingto back off?”
Jareth’s throat felt parched, and just as his lips parted to speak, Aaron cut in, “Ever since | found out you two
were head over heels for each other, I've kept myself on the sidelines. Hell, | even avoided Marilla to keep you
from getting the wrong idea, despite how much | cared for her. Jareth, the ball’s always been in your court,
whether it was your issues or your family’s. Now that you've split up, why can’t I have my shot?”
A piercing retort landed squarely in Jareth’s chest, leaving him stunned and speechless.
“You two are over. There's nothing wrong withpursuing Marilla now. If you still love her, then go ahead, spill
your guts to her. We can have an honest competition. You can try to reignite whatever you had, and | won't
interfere. But here you are, askingto step aside and hand you the opportunity. Mr. Fairhaven, don’t you think
that’s a bit overbearing?”
Aaron’s voice was edged with an unwelcoming chill, each word deliberate, “Your feelings for Marilla are genuine,
but aren't mine just as real? You'd die for her, and you think | wouldn't? What's the point in saying all this to a
rival, other than to pat yourself on the back?”
Guilt, self-reproach, and resentment, a multitude of emotions tore through Jareth’s weary soul.
That time, on the art school’s rooftop, if it hadn't been for Aaron’s shrewd negotiation skills and swift reflexes
saving Marilla from the clutches of a thug, Jareth might have lost his love forever.
“Can | see Marilla?”
Jareth’s eyes were red rimmed, his plea desperate and humble, “I swear, | won't interfere with you two, | won't
fight or compete anymore. Just letsee her, okay?”
“If there's nothing else, | have work to get back to.”
Aaron didn’t look at him again, expressionlessly opening the car door.
Jareth sat there, his spirit drained, as Aaron paused with half his body out of the car, dropping a heavy decision
with a casual remark,
“Yesterday, | made plans with Marilla to take her to the amusement park this weekend, have sfun, watch
the fireworks.”
Then, he got out of the car with agile movements.
It took Jareth a long while to regain his composure, until Aaron’s commanding figure vanished through the
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtprecinct doors. His pale lips muttered a faint,
“Thank you.
Fast forward to Friday.
Gary was discharged from the hospital, and because Barry insisted on him going abroad for “recuperation”, he
couldn't stay in any longer even if he/wanted to.
As he walked into his home, he was greeted by chaos. The servants rushed to him, claiming that Mrs. Fairhaven
had cin the morning with a crew, taking all valuables and smashing anything they couldn't carry. The
damage was estimated in the millions.
After Gary's divorce, this place was like being robbed.
Everyone expected Gary, known for his love of money, to erupt in rage.
Instead, he merely acknowledged them with a detached “I know,” and left them hanging as he ascended the
stairs
Chapter 769)
However, this abnormal calm was even more chilling.
Gary had just entered the barren room when April's call cthrough,
“Mr. Fairhaven, you're out of the hospital, about to emigrate and live out your years in comfort. Isn't it tto
hurry up with the divorce proceedings?”
April's voice dripped with sarcasm, her words prodding at his pride, “Dragging your feet serves no purpose. The
longer you wait, the looser my lips get. If | let slip sunsavory details, won't that just worsen your
predicament?”
Gary pulled a fruit knife from the coffee table and emotionlessly began carving letters into the expensive
mahogany, “April, | used to be your husband anyway. I've never skimped on taking care of you since you married
into the Fairhaven family. | didn’t want it to cto this, and I still have feelings for you. Can we renegotiate the
divorce settlement? You're practically cleaningout. At the end of the day, I'm still the Fairhaven family’s
second son. You gotta leavesdignity.”
“Dignity? You're a cripple now, with no shares, no power, barely clinging to life. What use do you have for such a
luxury as dignity?”
April's voice was full of scorn and resentment, “All these years, I've been Mrs. Fairhaven in nonly, while you
never gavea second glance, gallivanting around with your wild parties as if | were nothing but a decoration!
That | could tolerate, but you hid your infertility from me, pinning the blonfor not having. kids, making
married you if not for your Fairhaven family name? Stripped of the Fairhaven Group's halo, you're less than a
beggar on the street. I've waited long for this day! Tomorrow morning is your final deadline. If you don’t sign, I'll
go straight to Barry myself. Don’t pushto say something you won't like to hear!”
The call ended.
The room was as silent as a grave.
With an impassive face, Gary set down the knife and dialed his trusted associate Jackson,
“Tonight, bring the gear. Before we leave, we'll see Barry one last time. The last tin this life.” With that, he
rose and left the room, leaving behind the twisted, carved word “dead” on the coffee table.
The Fairhaven family.
In the still of the night, Barry was in his study with his secretary, sorting through his assets and shares.
“Mr. Fairhaven, are you truly resolved to transfer all this to Mr. Fairhaven?”
The secretary looked incredulously across the polished mahogany desk, double-checking his boss’ intent. “Once
you hand these over to Mr. Fairhaven, you're essentially putting the entire Fairhaven Group into his -hands.”
Barry picked up his pen, a hint of resignation in his eyes. “I'm well aware. Why else would | have you draft up the
paperwork?”
“Mr. Fairhaven, the Fairhaven Group is your life’s work. Without you, it wouldn't exist. Are you truly ready to let
go completely?”
Barry chuckled dryly, a bitter edge to his laughter as he shook his head. I'm knocking on death’s door. What use
is a business empire to me? You can’t take it with you.”
His face grew somber as he recounted recent events, “Ever since Jareth cstorming in, making threats, and
landed Gary in the hospital, I've seen the light. If I cling to power, I'll only plunge the company into deeper
chaos. It could drive Jareth to do something drastic. Deep down, I've always known he’s got the makings of a
leader. He inherited Kris’ sharp intellect, keeps his wits about him despite his wild ways, and he’s got the likes of
Thaddeus as a friend. That boy’s path is only going to broaden from here. | was too harsh, using his uncle as
leverage against him, stubbornly standing in the way of his marriage to the Abernathy girl. It all spiraled out of
control. If only | had stepped down sooner, handed the reins over to Jareth. He was always my chosen
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Chapter 769
successor. But here | am, an old man, riddled with doubts, nothing like the decisive leader | once was.”
The secretary rushed to console him. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. Without your guidance, Mr. Fairhaven
wouldn't have thrived all these years. Your strict approach was to shape him into a capable man.”
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm
With a heavy sigh, Barry signed the transfer documents and pressed his seal onto the parchment. He called in
his long-tattorney, handed over the paperwork, and instructed him to wait until the dust settled before
passing them on to Jareth..
His phone rang just then.
He saw it was Gary calling. Barry didn’t want to pick up, but considering he was about to leave Elmsworth for
good, he believed in tying up loose ends. Reluctantly, he answered.
“Gary, haven't you left the country yet?”
“Dad, you sure seem eager to get rid of me.” Gary's voice was laced with a mocking amusement.
Barry's brows furrowed. “What do you want at this late hour?”
“I heard you're packing up, planning to leave EiImsworth?”
“That's right. Jareth’s taking over the Fairhaven Group, and the chaos is under control. It's t| retired.”
“You're leaving, I'm leaving. This goodbye might be for good. | suppose you don’t want to see your silly son
anymore,” Gary said with a self-deprecating sigh.
Barry frowned. “A father and son don’t carry grudges overnight. Don’t overthink it.”
“Dad, I'm at the villa you bought for Mom.”
Gary's tone suddenly softened, filled with sadness. You built this empire, and Mom was your loyal partner. You
always looked so in love. Now that you're leaving, don’t you want to take something of hers with you, to keep
her memory close? I'd also like to see you one more time. If you still consideryour son, we should part on
proper terms.”
After a moment's contemplation and a gravelly voice, Barry agreed, “Alright, I'll cby shortly.”
“I'll be here, waiting for you.”
No sooner had Barry and his secretary left than April stormed in. She'd been waiting for Gary all day, calls
unanswered, driving her to confront Gary directly and pin more blon him.
“What? Gary left? Where to?” April demanded, grabbing the butler by the arm.
The butler, taken aback, stuttered, “He’s headed to the Fairhaven family estate.”
April spun on her heel and exited in a hurry.
Barry wouldn't go to the family estate without good reason; Gary had to be there.
Tonight, chell or high water, she was determined to get Gary's signature on those divorce papers. She could
wait, but her young lover couldn't.
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