Ivan Willow clutched his head, his eyes brimming with tears.
The Little Tyrant Willow felt deeply wronged.
But the little tyrant kept it to himself.
"Ladies and gentlen," Fabian Lockwood announced into the microphone from the stage. "My cousin has returned to us today, alive and well. My grandfather has an important announcent to make, and I ask you all to bear witness. Grandfather, if you please."
Fabian Lockwood shoved the microphone into Master Lockwood’s hand.
Master Lockwood looked at Fabian grimly. "Fabian, this is your last chance. It’s not too late to turn back."
"Turn back?" Fabian laughed. "If I turn back now, I’d be a real fucking moron! I’m getting impatient," he snarled. "Hurry it up, Grandfather. I can wait, but my n behind can’t. For everyone’s sake, just stop stalling."
Master Lockwood averted his gaze and spoke into the microphone. "I am overjoyed today that my grandson, Shane, has returned to us safely. I am getting old, and so I have decided to transfer the fifteen percent of company shares I hold, along with the position of chairman, to Shane..."
"Grandfather!"
Fabian Lockwood violently snatched the microphone back, the viciousness on his face barely contained. "Grandfather, that’s not what we agreed upon!"
He then muffled the microphone, his voice a low, vicious snarl. "You old bastard, if you spout any more nonsense, don’t bla for what cos next. Or maybe I should have Shane Lockwood die a second ti. Would that teach you how to talk?"
As Fabian Lockwood finished speaking, the bodyguards behind him took a nacing step forward, clearly ready for action.
The bodyguards who had slipped into the morial hall earlier now rested their hands on their waists, their murderous intent palpable.
The guests in the morial hall grew alard.
They were all prominent figures; being suddenly dragged into the Lockwood family’s internal affairs was far too dangerous.
Lost in the crowd, Alia Sutton’s eyes were filled with malicious glee.
’Eliza Sutton had lorded her status as Madam Lockwood over ti and ti again. Now that Shane Lockwood is about to be cast aside, her precious title won’t be worth a damn!’
’Once the second young master gets tired of Eliza, I’ll make that little bitch kneel before !’
Ivan Willow was worried. "Dad, should we call for backup to help my aunt?"
Chairman Willow glanced at Ivan. "If you want to help her, then go ahead."
Ivan pulled out his phone. "I’ll call our bodyguards over right now."
He tried to make the call, but there was no signal.
Ivan cried out, "Dad! Dad! That treacherous second Lockwood blocked the signal!"
"Mm. To be expected."
"Then how am I supposed to protect my aunt?"
"You go."
"What?"
"You’re a man of the Willow family, and a junior. You go." With that, Chairman Willow kicked his son squarely in the rear.
The force of the blow sent Ivan stumbling onto the stage.
THUD.
Ivan Willow landed face-first on the floor.
Seeing all eyes on him, Ivan raised a hand and gave a weak laugh. "Just ca up for a closer look."
Fabian Lockwood frowned at Ivan. He might have looked down on the Willow family’s spoiled brat, but he was still wary of Ivan’s influential background.
He wanted to take over the Lockwood family, not run it into the ground.
"Master Willow, my apologies for the poor hospitality. Once I’ve handled this family matter, how about I join you for a drink?"
"A drink sounds great. No, wait, that’s not it. I an, I ca up here to protect my aunt."
"Master Willow’s aunt?" Fabian was baffled. "Since when do you have an aunt?"
"What’s it to you?" Ivan dusted himself off, stood up, and strode over to Eliza Sutton. He puffed out his chest. "She’s with . I’ve got her covered."
Eliza looked up at Ivan.
’He must be terrified,’ she thought. ’Compared to those well-trained bodyguards, his slender fra looks so fragile.’
But he still stood protectively in front of Eliza. "Don’t be afraid. My dad and I are both here. As arrogant as Fabian Lockwood is, he wouldn’t dare lay a hand on ."
Ivan didn’t forget Emtt either. He patted the little boy’s head. "Hey, little guy, hide behind . Big bro’s got your back today."
The expression on Eliza’s face suddenly softened.
’This nephew-by-marriage isn’t so bad after all,’ she thought.
"Fabian Lockwood, let us leave."
Fabian frowned. "Master Willow, don’t make things difficult for ."
Ivan sneered. "I am making things difficult. What are you going to do about it?"
Fabian’s expression darkened. Just as he was about to speak, Lord Lockwood cut in. "Fine. You can take them and go."
Lord Lockwood turned to his son. "It’s just one woman and a little brat. It doesn’t matter if they leave."
’It’s not as if we can’t deal with them later.’
’I don’t know why Ivan Willow is sticking his neck out for Eliza, but he can’t possibly protect her and Emtt twenty-four hours a day. We’ll just find another opportunity to get rid of them later.’
Fabian understood his father’s reasoning. "Fine. Master Willow, I’ll defer to you this ti. Take them and go."
"That’s more like it." Ivan picked up Emtt and turned to Eliza. "Let’s go, Aunt."
Eliza didn’t move.
Mrs. Lockwood grew anxious and urged her, "Eliza, listen to . Hurry and take Emtt with you."
Eliza’s gaze fell on Shane.
He nodded at her.
"Let’s go." Eliza followed Ivan off the stage.
Emtt was very worried. "Mommy, what about Daddy, Grandma, and Great-Grandpa?"
"Don’t worry," Eliza soothed him. "They’ll be safe."
Alia Sutton watched this unfold, grinding her teeth in hatred.
’That vixen Eliza really knows how to seduce n.’
’I brought Ivan here to teach Eliza a lesson, and sohow she managed to seduce him too!’
Back on the stage.
Fabian’s face was a mask of smug triumph, as arrogant as a peacock fanning its tail feathers. "Did you see that, Grandfather? The Lockwood family is mine now. I call the shots here. If you manage to please , I might even let that cripple Shane keep his worthless life."
He then turned to Shane, his face twisted with long-suppressed malice. "Big brother, from now on, you’ll not only have to be a good cripple, but a good dog, too. WOOF, WOOF, WOOF."
Mrs. Lockwood couldn’t bear it any longer. "Fabian! How can you say such things? We’re your family! You’ve gone too far!"
"Too far? My son speaks a few ho truths and that’s too far? What if I were to slap you a few tis?" Florence Young said, raising her hand to strike Mrs. Lockwood, her eyes glittering with excitent.
’This sister-in-law who has always held down will finally have to live at my rcy!’
Suddenly, Eliza grabbed her wrist.
Mrs. Lockwood was startled. "Eliza, why are you back? Where’s Emtt?"
"Don’t worry, Mom. Emtt is with Ivan, he’ll be fine." Eliza stared at Florence Young. "Second Aunt, we are in public. That’s enough!"
"Enough? I think you’re the one who needs to be told that! A jailbird bride, married off for good luck, dares to act so presumptuously before ! If I were you, I’d get on my knees right now and beg to be allowed to stay in the Lockwood family!"
Eliza looked at Florence Young’s gloating, arrogant face, shook her head, and couldn’t help but say, "Second Aunt, are your eyes just for decoration? Why don’t you take a good look and see whose side these n are really on?"
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