fanqie novel
Chapter 72
Chapter 72
Bainbridge was gloating. “I know It’s tough on you, buddy. It’s just that your body didn’t play ball. Why not stay in the hospital a little longer?” Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.
Waldo said that Howard’s days were numbered.
The look in Bainbridge’s eyes was pure crocodile tears.
“How come your parents aren’t here, Howard?” Farrah breezed over in her flashy red cocktail dress. “Even your granddad made it. Are they too high and mighty or what?”
Then she threw a disdainful glance at Gwendolyn. “No offense, but you’re treating this country girl like she’s a treasure. Parading her around, aren’t you embarrassed?”
Howard’s face remained calm, but his eyes twinkled with barely concealed amusement. “Farrah, she is my treasure.”
“Mr. Howard, I hear Gwendolyn’s interning at the hospital. Even her mother has to wait in line like everyone else. Tough luck having a daughter like that. You call her a treasure?”
Vivien sneered with a superior air.
“Would you rather be the treasure?” Howard shot back with a mocking smile. “You have all this interest in whom I cherish. What, are you still hung up on the past?”
Back in the day, Vivien had a thing for Howard. And why wouldn’t she? He was the catch of the season.
“Enough!”
Bainbridge’s face was a thundercloud. As soon as the cornerstone ceremony was over, he would dump
Vivien.
She was of no use to him anymore.
“Bainbridge, the ceremony’s about to start. Don’t get tied up with these nobodies. Don’t disappoint your granddad,” Jarvis reminded him coolly.
“Yes, Father.”
With a contemptuous glance at Howard, Bainbridge finally stalked off.
Once the senior Chadwick had cleared out, Howard suggested, “Let’s move closer to see something.”
“Sure.”
Gwendolyn wheeled him forward.
Around the foundation stone, a crowd of people had gathered. They stopped at the edge of the crowd, next to Warren in his traditional brocade jacket with a sturdy oak pattern.
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Leaning on his cane, his face stern, flanked by bodyguards, he asked Howard, “How’s the leg?”
“Holding up, thanks to you.”
“Hmph, tough guy.” Warren scoffed coldly.
He’d been suffering from chronic chills, looking more stooped and aged than usual. With constant pain in his limbs and no relief from Waldo’s acupuncture, it was clear to Warren that Waldo was no disciple
of Enoch, but he didn’t expose the truth.
Howard was in a wheelchair and rumored to be infertile. The future of the Chadwick Group was for the family’s main branch, and Warren didn’t want to stoke the fires of conflict.
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“It they can’t fix your legs, so be it. The Chadwick family will ensure your comfort in life. That 5% share? 1 won’t take it back. Consider it a bonus for your family”
His seemingly generous offer was steeped in favoritism.
Warren had given Bainbridge’s family a 20% stake, while Howard’s family got a measly 6%, and he still held onto 30% himself. The Chadwick family controlled 55% of the Group, an absolute majority, with the rest scattered among minor shareholders.
“Thanks for the handout, Grandpa.” Howard was used to the unfairness, maintaining a polite smile.
Warren glared at him. “Cut the sarcasm, and stop blaming the world.”
Standing by, Gwendolyn felt a pang of injustice for Howard.
“Maybe you should keep an eye on Bainbridge,” Howard said casually from his wheelchair. “I heard he’s staked his 20% share in a high–stakes deal with Summit Corp for Utopia Skylines.”
If Bainbridge lost, he would have nothing left, and the Chadwick family’s iron grip on the Chadwick Group would slip.
Warren’s face darkened with sudden anger.
“Fool!” As his voice dropped, the crowd erupted into a clamor of shouts and screams!