Chapter 742
Chapter 742:
Several staff members quickly caught on and moved to escort Stephen out of the restaurant.
Turning back to Malcom and the Figueroa brothers, Ashton said firmly, “The competition is paused for now. I hope you can sit down and sort this out properly.”
Unfortunately, Stephen’s disruption left both sides simmering with resentment, stubbornly ignoring each other.
Malcom’s tone was cold as he retorted, “I’ve cut ties with them. There’s nothing left to discuss.”
Ashton shook his head, a hint of frustration in his voice. “You’re as stubborn as ever, Malcom. You have a chance to reconcile, but instead, you’re choosing to make things harder for yourself. If you truly believe you’ve severed all ties, then tell me this—why did you remember that cheese omelet you used to make for them as kids when I asked you about it? And why were you three deeply moved by this awful omelet earlier?”
Malcom and the Figueroa brothers lowered their heads, their silence speaking volumes.
Ashton smirked and gave Malcom a light pat on the shoulder. “You’re not kids anymore. You’re in your fifties, and they’re in their forties. Stop with the childish behavior and be honest about why you didn’t want them to invest.”
Malcom’s expression shifted slightly, but his voice was unwavering. “It’s an ancestral rule. No outsiders touch family business!”
Ashton’s grip on Malcom’s shoulder tightened as he leaned in, his tone unwavering. “The people you didn’t want around are already gone. If you don’t tell the truth, this rift will never heal. Do you really want to remain estranged forever?”
There was a long pause as Malcom absorbed Ashton’s words. Finally, he sighed and admitted, “The restaurant was under Pavilion Foods Group’s watch for a while. At first, my dad’s influence kept Stephen in check. But after he passed, Stephen went rogue, looking for ways to take over our restaurant. This brand has been in the family for generations. I couldn’t just hand it over. Even knowing the odds were against me, I fought the Crawford family’s money to the bitter end. It was during that time that the three brothers had offered to use their hard-earned savings to help me expand the restaurant. But I couldn’t let that happen. I’d rather they hate me than risk losing everything they’d worked so hard for. It was better for them to invest in their own futures.”
However, instead of pacifying them, Malcom’s explanation only fueled the Figueroa brothers’ anger.
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Esteban erupted, his voice echoing with frustration. “Malcom! You always said we were like family. If that’s true, why didn’t you let us share this burden? With our combined skills, there’s nothing we couldn’t have tackled together!”
Malcom let out a bitter chuckle, shaking his head. “After all your years working for Stephen, do you really not understand how the Crawford family deals with anyone who stands in their way? I’ve watched you grow, seen your successes, and celebrated them like any brother would. Of course, you’re my family. And that’s exactly why I couldn’t let you get dragged into this mess. I couldn’t be the one to destroy your bright future.”
His words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken emotions. The Figueroa brothers, overwhelmed and conflicted, fell into silence once again.
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