Chapter 312
Chapter 312:
Left with no alternative, Emalee hesitantly began her explanation.
“After you denied my parents’ participation in Skyline Group’s project, they felt aggrieved and decided to ally themselves with Sup Group. My grandfather, upon discovering their plan, explicitly forbade them from proceeding. Nevertheless, they covertly reached out to Sup Group. Rejected due to insufficient funds, they resorted to borrowing from loan sharks to secure a spot in one of Sup Group’s ventures. Perhaps the recent plummet in Sup Group’s reputation had caused them to change their strategies, for they abruptly withdrew from our agreement, declaring our family’s project null and void.”
After a pause, she continued, “I was blindsided by the news and implored my parents to abandon their dreams and quickly repay the loan. However, the loan sharks, ruthless as ever, demanded twice the principal with accrued interest—a sum we couldn’t possibly muster, having taken the loan only days before. When we resisted, violence ensued. My parents suffered at their hands, and when the debt collectors approached my grandfather, he too was not spared the brutality.”
As Ashton absorbed the gravity of the tale, his brows knitted together, his face setting into an icy mask of resolve. Though it appeared Emalee’s family were victims of circumstance, their own hasty decisions had ensnared them in this perilous predicament.
He managed to contain his outrage but spared no words as he stood by the old man’s bedside, his tone stern and uncompromising.
“Look at the mess you’ve created! Why are you still here? Step aside and let me examine him!”
Miriam, tinged with guilt yet defensive, bristled at Ashton’s stern rebuke. Her voice was sharp with indignation as she retorted, “Who do you think you are to order us around? We did everything for the betterment of the James family. We are victims too—I was attacked as well. What right do you have to judge us?”
Ashton had no desire to engage in a fruitless argument with Miriam. With a dismissive snort and a piercing glare, he silenced her complaints.
𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺: 𝗀Ɐ𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝗍𝖊𝗅𝘀﹒ⅽ𝗈𝗺
Sensing her misstep, Miriam no longer dared to protest and reluctantly moved aside, her face clouded with resentment. Matthew, ever the submissive spouse, hastened to follow, quietly clearing the path.
Only then did Ashton approach Bobby’s bedside to evaluate his condition.
The prognosis was grim; given Bobby’s advanced age and frailty, recovery seemed a distant hope.
Yet, Ashton remembered the Longevity Pill he had once gifted Bobby.
If that pill still remained, combining it with his medical expertise, perhaps there was a chance to restore Bobby to his former vitality.
As he initiated the acupuncture treatment, Ashton inquired softly, “Bobby, where is the birthday gift I gave you before?”
Bobby shakily pointed to his chest. Ashton leaned in closer and noticed the jade porcelain bottle that Bobby wore like a talisman, hanging around his neck. It held the Longevity Pill; obviously, Bobby treated it as his most prized possession.
With a heavy heart, Ashton carefully removed the bottle, extracted the pill, and administered it to Bobby.
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