Chapter 9

“I understand, madam. Then, what about the young mistress?” Xu Bo asked. He felt a bit sorry for Martha Lambert. She had married into this family not long ago, yet she was already faced with countless problems. It seemed like she was destined to bring trouble wherever she went.

Marian Reid thought for a moment and realized she couldn’t let such a good opportunity slip by. “Seal off her room, prevent anyone from entering. Then spread the word that she was attacked and is too badly injured to survive.”

“Yes, I’ll go now.”

Xu Bo stepped back and gave the orders to those bodyguards, following what Marian Reid had said just now.

Marian Reid glanced at her phone, dialed a number, and a slight smile appeared on her lips. “I doubt you’ll remain inactive after hearing this news.”

Before long, Nick Harold was seen stumbling into the hospital. Outside Martha Lambert’s , a group of bodyguards stood guard, preventing even a fly from getting in. Marian Reid sat on a chair outside, head bowed, constantly wiping away her tears with her hands.

Nick Harold immediately thought of all the bad things that could happen. If Martha Lambert died, then her fate would be over… Without Martha Lambert’s fate, his beloved grandson would never be able to return! At the thought of this, Nick Harold felt like the sky was falling in on him.

For a moment, he almost lost his balance and fell. Luckily, Marcus Harold, who had come with Nick Harold, and his father managed to support Mr. Harold in time. Larry Harold patted his chest and said, “Grandpa, calm down. Don’t get too excited.”

This statement seemed to provoke Marian Reid. She suddenly stood up in a fit of rage, ignoring her own appearance as she rushed at Larry Harold. She kept hammering him with her hands: “Are you happy now? I’ve lost my child, and all hope of him returning is gone. Are you satisfied now? The money you spent hiring someone to kill my son wasn’t wasted, was it?”

These words sounded a bit confusing, but Larry Harold, who understood what was being said, felt a pang of concern. How did she know? But she didn’t show any signs of realization. Instead, she said innocently, “Aunt Reid, what are you talking about? Killing him? No matter how bad my relationship with Owen Harold is, he’s still my brother. How could I ever hire someone to kill him?”

Larry Harold might be able to suppress those emotions and continue to hide his true feelings well, but Marcus Harold might not be able to do the same.

Upon hearing Marian Reid’s words, Marcus Harold became impatient. He was afraid that Old Harold might believe Marian Reid and start doubting him. So, he spoke louder than Marian Reid to counter her: “What nonsense are you talking about! I know that Owen Harold’s death was a shock to you, but you can’t just blame others without any reason. Don’t think we’re easy to manipulate.”

A voice louder than Marian Reid’s, and those nervous glances around, avoiding looking at Old Harold. Larry Harold couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. It was so obvious—that was practically telling Nick Harold, that old bastard, that they were the ones who did it.

Just as Larry Harold had predicted, Nick Harold narrowed his eyes and glanced at his son. He quickly understood the truth of the matter.

“You unfilial wretch! Owen is your own nephew. How can you even call yourself an uncle?” Nick Harold slapped Marcus Harold, feeling disgusted.

“Dad! You can’t just believe everything that woman says! What if she’s lying about me?” Marcus Harold was somewhat dissatisfied.

Looking at Marcus Harold, who refused to admit his mistakes, Nick Harold became even angrier. “You really won’t admit defeat, will you? If you can’t lie, then don’t do such despicable things. You also have no idea how to hide your true feelings. How am I supposed to trust you with managing the company in the future?”

Upon hearing this, Marian Reid felt a chill in her heart. Was the old man trying to treat her with too much leniency?

“Dad! If you don’t believe me, I can show you the evidence right now!” Marian Reid was getting impatient. If that old man would act like this, then what was the whole purpose of their efforts in the first place?

After saying that, Marian Reid took a folder from her bag. From inside, she handed over the documents she and Owen Harold had collected to Nick Harold. It was clear from the documents that it was Marcus Harold and his son Larry Harold who hired the killers to attack Owen Harold.

Marian Reid believed that, given how much Old Harold loved Owen Harold, upon seeing this, he would surely punish both of them severely as revenge for Owen Harold.

But things weren’t as simple as Marian Reid thought. Nick Harold took the documents, held them in his hands for a moment, then handed them to Larry Harold who was sitting next to him.

“Dad!” Marian Reid was somewhat puzzled, not understanding why Nick Harold would do such a thing.

“Ah, Marian, let’s just forget about this matter.” Nick Harold sighed, head bowed. After saying those words, he seemed to have aged ten years old all at once.

Marian Reid was defiant: “Why must things be done this way?! Dad, if Barrett were still here, would you still act like this? Aren’t you just taking advantage of the fact that I no longer have Barrett and Owen? Is this fair to them?”

Marianne Reid acted like a hysterical madwoman, a desperate woman whose all hopes had been destroyed.

But Marian Reid’s words made Marcus Harold unhappy: “What do you mean, the son of a mistress…”

Before he could finish speaking, Marcus Harold was slapped by Nick Harold. Nick Harold thought of his clever and talented younger son, Barrett Harold, who was excellent both in his studies and at work.

“Marian, I know you’re resentful toward Dad. But the Harold family cannot allow such acts of fratricide to happen. After all, Owen is gone, and I still need an heir.” Nick Harold spoke slowly, forcing Marian Reid to accept this unacceptable decision. “So, let’s just say Owen died in an accident… I’ll arrange for Larry Harold to take care of you for the rest of your life.”

Marian Reid realized clearly that in Nick Harold’s mind, no matter how important a grandson might be, no matter how much he loved his son, or even the woman he claimed to have loved his whole life, if any of them got in the way of the Harold family’s interests, then they all had to be sacrificed!

“Is that so?” asked Marian Reid.

“Ah, just accept reality. The Lambert family will surely offer some compensation.” Nick Harold sighed again and made a decision: “Let’s leave it at that. I’ll have my lawyer handle it later…”

“What if Owen isn’t dead?” Marian Reid’s words interrupted what Nick Harold was about to say.

“What?!” Nick Harold suddenly raised his head, seemingly unable to believe what Marian Reid had just said. Even Larry Harold, who usually acted as a mere background figure, stared at Marian Reid in disbelief.

Marian Reid tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and repeated the words that had just shocked the three of them: “I ask, if Owen isn’t dead, would you change your mind, Dad?”

Nick Harold, both surprised and incredulous, grabbed Marian Reid’s hand. “Marian, where is my dear grandson now?”