Chapter 143 – Second Chance Love of the Missing Groom Novel

Abigail tugged at Diarmuid’s sleeve. “Please calm down…”

“I am calm, Abigail,” he said evenly.

He certainly knew what he should be doing right now, too: the first was to keep his son safe, and the next was to find the person who did this and make that person pay- no matter who it was!

For Abigail’s part, she understood that Abigail was angry, and decided to come clean. Moreover, misunderstandings were unnecessary now that she and Diarmuid just confirmed their relationship. Anyhow, they were still having trust issues.

She was hoping that she could convince Diarmuid to leave the problem to her.

“It’s Ricky,” she finally said. “But it’s not his fault-”

“Got it,” Diarmuid growled, cutting her short.

Seeing that she had more to say, Diarmuid added, “You’re Tommy’s mom, so come with me if you’re worried.”

Abigail hesitated for a moment, but eventually nodded. ” Okay, I’ll carry him.”

Diarmuid did not let her, however. “No, I can do it.”

He had learned how to carry a baby in private. Though he was no master, he was certainly not unskilled.

Abigail pursed her lips, and tried to speak on Ricky’s behalf. “It’s not his fault. He was being threatened…”

“Shush. Tommy’s sleeping.”

Diarmuid was clearly refusing to listen, so Abigail had to stay quiet.

They left the hospital with the bodyguards escorting them, not to Diarmuid’s mansion, but to the residence where he kept Abigail prisoner before.

There weren’t many who knew about this place, and it was relatively safer than Diarmuid’s mansion. Moreover, he had arranged for people to keep constant watch for additional security.

Zachary arrived just as they put Tommy on the bed- Diarmuid had called him here.

He wasn’t a doctor now, but he still had enough connections to find the best and most reliable pediatrician to act as Tommy’s attending physician, no matter how much it cost Diarmuid. Although he had to resign as a doctor, which was his favorite job, he had to go with his mother’s arrangement to work at Slate Industries for

Lulu Adams’s sake.

Zachary searched his memory for a while, and soon came up with the right man for the job.

“Leave this to me,” he said.

Diarmuid said, “Make it fast.”

“Okay,” Zachary replied, and glanced at Abigail. “Why would you need another doctor for your baby, though? You are a doctor–won’t it be more reliable to have you care for him?”

Abigail, however, knew that Diarmuid asked Zachary’s help because Diarmuid was angry with her. Anyway, she was a surgeon, and specialist pediatricians were better for the job. It was simply a matter of suitability..

That being said, no one could care for a child better than a mother. However, Diarmuid wanted a doctor to ensure that Tommy is safe for now.

“How are things with Lulu?” Abigail asked, trying to change the subject.

“Well, she promised to let me marry her once I took over the family business,” Zachary said feebly. “But if I can’t…

He allowed his voice to trail off, but Abigail understood it even though he left it unsaid.

She sighed it seemed it was going to be a bumpy road for him and Lulu.

Everyone seemed to be pushed around by things beyond their control, no?

The next day was the end of the three day limit Henry gave Diarmuid, and he arrived at Sky Group headquarters.

He could hardly eat or sleep over the last few days as he watched the company’s stocks plummet by the day. After all, how could he not feel anxious when his wealth was shrinking?

As such, Henry personally convened a board meeting, demanding that Diarmuid explain himself to the board and forcing him to give up his position as CEO if he couldn’t.

Greg–who hadn’t shown up for a long time–came with

Henry.

Henry had no choice but to side with his own son now that Diarmuid had obviously grown obstinate and wouldn’t play to Henry’s own tune. The fact that Henry abandoned

Tommy and Abigail was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

“Diarmuid, I gave you everything. It’s just a matter of thought if I want it back.”

Henry’s words were short and simple–he didn’t even care to put up an appearance now.

Diarmuid remained impassive, his thoughts inscrutable.

On the other hand, Greg was in a good mood now that his old man was backing him–he had every reason to return!

Leaning back on his chair and looking like he had already won, Greg gloated, “Oh, Diarmuid… The company’s suffering terrible losses, but you can’t seem to handle it. You have to explain yourself to everyone here now, don’t you?”

Diarmuid remained silent.

After all, he had been managing the company for years- there were those who would side with him even if he said nothing.

To no one’s surprise, someone soon spoke out, claiming hotly, “Ian Althoff’s crime is the reason our stocks are dropping! How is this Diarmuid’s fault? You’re being outrageous!”

Once the first board member loyal to Diarmuid spoke out, more board members nodded. Some rose to their feet and declared their support for him to keep his position as CEO.

They had all seen Diarmuid’s ability, and knew that they were only paid dividends despite holding small portions of the company’s shares because Diarmuid constantly led Sky Group to new heights.

On the other hand, would they really be able to enjoy the same benefits without hard work if there was a change in leadership? They were naturally suspicious. Not to mention, Ian’s crime called his father’s character into question.

That being said, Henry only called for the board meeting because he had privately contracted many board members, asking that they endorse Greg–that was why Greg appeared so confident.

Naturally, Henry would rather support Ian because Ian was young and more or less capable. Unfortunately, Ian was now under investigation for his casino ship. There was no way Ian could be here, just as the board was unlikely to endorse a person with a potential criminal record.

Thus, Henry was forced to endorse Greg instead.

“I think Greg will make a better leader. He’s older and experienced – he won’t lose out to Diarmuid in any way, and he’s also Diarmuid’s uncle. Diarmuid should voluntarily step down in favor of his uncle instead of hogging it!”

“What are you talking about? Does age determine merit?!

Someone snapped in protest right there and then.

Ability speaks above all else. After goofing off for years, Greg won’t even know what the market looks like these days!”

The spacious conference room turned quite hectic, and the board member endorsing Greg was immediately silenced. Even with an estate passed down through generations and accruing enormous wealth in the process, it took hard work from each family head to retain it. Diarmuid, however, was the one who took things further. His feats were irrefutable despite his youth!

“I think experience speaks here…”

“What experience? Greg’s just older–is there anything that makes him better than Diarmuid?”

Someone tried to speak for Greg again, but was once again silenced immediately.

Even if Diarmuid knew that his grandfather wanted him out, he never contacted the board members or asked them to endorse himself. After all, he had measures in place. The title of Sky Group’s CEO did not matter to him.

He was, however, deeply disappointed in Henry. It wouldn’t be a far cry to say that he was now convinced that every Althoff is a cold–blooded reptilian; even himself!

Not bothered to keep listening, Ian rose to his feet.

Inform me when you have come to a decision, Mr. Henry

Althoff.”

“We’re having a board meeting!” Henry snapped angrily. “How could you leave as you please?”

Henry was sure Diarmuid had bribed the people siding with him at the moment to fend Henry off. Leaving the meeting room was an obvious show of disrespect–a gesture showing that Diarmuid thought nothing of Henry!

Diarmuid leveled a cool gaze at Henry. “Whether I keep my job or not means nothing to me.”

In fact, Sky Group was nothing to him as he had been diverting various businesses to his own company overseas.

If he stayed, Sky Group would remain the giant it was–if he left, Sky Group would be nothing.

“You can have company if you want, ” Diarmuid said evenly and casually.

Henry was stunned, but he quickly came to his senses.

Was Diarmuid doing this on purpose?

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