“Can’t you see his attitude–how he spoke to me?” Henry snorted, clearly disgruntled with Diarmuid but not at all aware of his mistakes.
It was understandable if he wanted someone competent helming Sky Group and wanted to give Ian a chance since he was his grandson, but he shouldn’t have abandoned Diarmuid’s child.
Moneypenny asked, “Are you siding with Master Greg?”
Henry stayed silent, but that was clearly his intent.
Coming to Diarmuid’s office and throwing the divorce papers. made it obvious that he had changed his mind–he wanted Abigail to marry Diarmuid because he believed she could help Diarmuid give up on his grudge, but now, she was the reason Diarmuid turned against him.
It was no different from shooting himself in the foot!
“I wish he’d give up on his hate for Abigail’s sake, but Ian took his son,” Henry sighed. “He must hate Greg’s family to the bone now, and he’ll definitely make a move… All that appeasement! Wasted!“.
Moneypenny reasoned, “I’m sure you can still turn things around.”
“How?” Henry shot back.
“I believe Master Diarmuid still holds on to old sentiment …”
“Even if I keep appeasing him, what will happen after I die?” Henry asked.
Moneypenny clearly wanted to speak, but refrained from doing so.
As he lowered his gaze, Henry snorted coldly, narrowing his turbid eyes. “You know very well that Diarmuid will definitely destroy Greg’s family the moment I die. I need to take away all his power while he still can.”
As long as Diarmuid didn’t have that much power, it wouldn’t be easy for him to ruin Greg’s family.
Moneypenny, however, believed Henry shouldn’t give up on Diarmuid so soon, rather than be harsh on Diarmuid. “Master Diarmuid had been helming the company over the years, and you were hardly present although you are board chairman. There’s not much you can do, is there?”
“I’ve only given him leadership of the company, not the shares,” Henry growled.
He naturally had backup measures in place, because he could never get a read on Diarmuid–even if Diarmuid never sought revenge on Greg Althoffs and his family.
Moneypenny, however, believed that Henry was being paranoid, even misunderstanding Diarmuid.
After Diarmuid’s parents died so early in his life, Diarmuid was denied warmth and a sense of security–had Henry treated Diarmuid with genuine kindness, there was no question that Diarmuid would be swayed.
Now, however, Henry had allowed Ian to kidnap Diarmuid’s son, for Ian was bent on using the boy as leverage against Diarmuid. It would be bizarre if Diarmuid wasn’t seething!
“What?! Do you think I’m wrong?” Henry demanded.
Moneypenny quickly shook his head. “Of course not.”
In the end, there was no way he would go against his own master.
Back in Diarmuid’s office, Stan walked up to him and said, He’s really upset this time, isn’t he?”
Diarmuid was scowling–mostly out of disappointment towards his grandfather.
“Sir, we have to come up with something right now–we have to stop the stocks from dropping,”
Stan appeared anxious, but Diarmuid seemed to think nothing of it.
Rising to his feet and taking Abigail by the hand, he started to head outside as he said flatly, “Leave it to PR.”
Stan was speechless.
Leaving such a momentous task to PR? Is Diarmuid really not going to care?
“Oh, wait!” Stan exclaimed just then, almost forgetting something else. “I’ve looked into the matter, but it wasn’t Harvey who leaked the news. He’s been busy at his office and he’s been staying in Sunny City, so he won’t have time to mess with us.”
Diarmuid stopped right then, instantly smelling something fishy. “Get to the bottom of this.”
“Yes, sir. Also, the man we threw overboard is dead. Still, he deserved it since his criminal record is as long as my arm: robbery, rape assault and battery–he’s done it all. He just recently got out of prison and immediately worked for Ian, resuming his life as a career criminal.”
“I see,” Diarmuid replied.
Stan grew a little worried. “But I don’t think your grandfather is happy with this. Is he going to side with Ian?”
He was certainly surprised by Henry’s reaction–he expected rage, but not that much.
On the other hand, Diarmuid seemed to expect that, and thought nothing of it.
“His warning just now, and if our stocks really do keep dropping, I’m afraid—”
“Stan,” Diarmuid growled, cutting him short. “Do you remember why we set up a branch in Franconia?”
Stan shook his head. “You’ve never told me, and I still have no idea…”
Hold on!
Just then, something clicked in Stan’s mind.
As the realization dawned upon him, Stan exclaimed, You were prepared for this? So long ago?”
Naturally, the thought gave Stan confidence. It meant that they did not have to worry about Henry impeding them in any way. At this, even his tone lightened up considerably. “I didn’t think he could be that heartless…”
Henry would actually take back management of Sky Group!
Diarmuid, however, remained impassive.
It wasn’t as if he was pleased that the insurance he had prepared kept him safe–in truth, he was sorely disappointed.
Abigail could sense that Diarmuid wasn’t in a good mood, and had a rough idea why.
Taking his hand, she said quietly, “I won’t ever leave you.
Even if those around him betrayed or deserted him, she would always stay by his side!
Diarmuid looked into her eyes and gathered her into his arms, while Abigail wrapped her arms around his slender waist.
Self–aware as ever, Stan promptly stepped out of the office with his eyes averted, even closing the door behind him and telling Debbie the secretary, “Don’t let anyone. disturb them.”
“Okay,” Debbie replied, though she hesitated for a moment before stopping Stan. “Do you think this will hurt Mr. Althoff?”
Stan clapped an assuring hand on her shoulder. “It’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”
Debbie still appeared worried. “I could tell that Henry Althoff looked upset. I’m afraid-”
“We just have to do what we’re supposed to do, and leave the rest to Mr. Althoff–think no evil and talk no evil, or everyone else in the office will start panicking too,” Stan advised her.
Debbie quickly understood. “I guess I was paranoid.”
Stan nodded in satisfaction and started to leave. “Good. business I should do the same too.‘
Now go about your
“Stan…”
“What?” Stan turned around.
“It’s nothing. I’ll get back to work.” Debbie smiled.
Stan and her had been working together for years and were basically Diarmuid’s limbs, their loyalty beyond question.
Still, Stan did not dwell on her hesitation and left.
In Diarmuid’s office, Abigail was looking up to Diarmuid’s eyes as she said, “Let’s go home.”
Diarmuid nodded.
Tommy was awake when they returned to Bernstein Mansion, and Sherly was carrying him around the living room, amusing him with a toy.
“Mom.”
Sheryl had been too preoccupied with Abigail to notice them coming. Her smile stiffened when she saw Diarmuid after Abigail called out to her.
Abigail whispered to Diarmuid, “I’ll talk to her. Just stay in the living room–Tommy’s up, so you can get to know him.”
“Yeah, okay,” Diarmuid murmured.
“Mom.” Abigail then walked up to Sheryl, taking her by her hand. “Come with me for a while. We should talk.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
Leave a Reply