Chapter 753
Chapter 753:
When Stephen realized Ashton fully understood the stakes yet remained unshaken, his expression darkened. His voice grew colder as he said, “Ashton, don’t think I’m incapable of dealing with you. I’ve simply chosen not to waste too much effort. You’d better know when to stop. I can tolerate the situation as it is, but if you keep pushing your luck, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”
Unfazed, Ashton smirked. “Oh, that’s perfect! It’s amusing, really, your Crawford family, supposedly giants in the food industry, trying to monopolize the market like this. Honestly, it’s laughable! In fact, I’m hoping you’ll ramp up the sanctions against us. It’s…
“Great for boosting our reputation. By the way, here’s something you might not know. Those branches of mine? They didn’t cost much. Most of them were restaurants your Pavilion Foods Group drove into bankruptcy. All I did was offer them funds to reopen. And if I’m not mistaken, there are quite a few more of those in Staville, right?”
Stephen’s jaw tightened, his face a shade darker with every mocking word. Ashton’s taunts stung, each one slicing through Stephen’s pride like a blade. “I’m only trying to avoid unnecessary losses. What’s wrong with letting our businesses grow peacefully? Why throw everything into chaos? Refusing my generous offer would be foolish. But if you’re that eager to fight, then fine, I can play that game. I have the time, the resources, and the patience. Do you? Or will Skyline Group crumble before it’s even begun?” Stephen said through clenched teeth.
Ashton remained composed, lifting his coffee cup for another sip. The air between them was thick with tension. Slowly, Ashton set the cup down, and then stood. Without warning, he knocked the cup to the floor, smashing it beneath his foot. The sharp crack of porcelain breaking echoed in the room. He glanced down at Stephen with cold, unwavering eyes. “I’m far from done preparing, Mr. Crawford. If this is the best you’ve got, don’t bother. Your pathetic, amateurish tactics are already boring me.”
Without another word, Ashton turned and strode out of the room, leaving Stephen seething in silence.
As Stephen watched Ashton’s retreating figure, his mind burned with anger. The memory of Ashton’s taunts and provocations replayed in his head like an unstoppable loop.
𝓜𝓸𝓻𝓮 𝓾𝓹𝓭𝓪𝓽𝓮𝓼 𝓲𝓷 𝓰𝓪𝓵𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵𝓼.𝓬𝓸𝓶
His fists trembled, his rationality swallowed by a growing fury.
He couldn’t let this stand. Ashton had to be disposed of at any cost. This thought took root in Stephen’s mind, festering and consuming his rationality until it left no room for hesitation.
Driven by unrelenting rage, he grabbed his phone and made a reckless decision. He sent a message to Leonardo and Hamlin. “Leonardo, Hamlin, get to my place immediately. I don’t care what it takes. This time, we’re eliminating Ashton. Whatever the cost, he must be destroyed!”
Although Stephen had kicked Leonardo and Hamlin out of his house last time, the two still showed him considerable loyalty—it seemed they had no plans of turning their backs on him. Just a message from Stephen was enough to make them set aside their past grievances and once again accept the invitation to the Crawford family’s residence.
As soon as they entered the house, they noticed that Stephen’s expression was even grimmer than last time.
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