Chapter 470
Tensions were as high as a standoff at high noon.
Anyone with half an eye could see that Klein was about to lose it. But then again, this was a gathering of the Fords. Wasn’t it public knowledge that there was bad blood between father and son? Disrespect from the young, lack of affection from the old. The apple didn’t fall far from the tree, it seemed. Some might say it’s in the genes. But as Adah liked to put it, it was a case of every dog having its day.
Klein, being the only son of the Ford legacy, should’ve known better than to lead a life of scandal if he didn’t want Gregory to dismiss him outright. Adah was all for Gregory putting his father in his place.
Just when everyone thought Klein would explode, he stepped forward, slapped Gregory on the back, and with a grin said, “You little rascal, alright, daddy’s begging you here, help your brother clean up this mess, will ya?”
“…Brother?” Gregory sneered, his gaze icy as he looked towards Mrs. Ford. “Mom, when did you give me a brother?”
Mrs. Ford was the epitome of grace and virtue, understanding her son was standing up for her yet not wanting another fallout. She gently intervened, “Greg, let it go.”
As for Hanson Ford, she had lost all hope in him long ago. It wasn’t just about the lost love; it was a marriage of convenience from the start. She stayed true to the Fords, not just out of lingering feelings but because her family’s fortunes had waned and needed the Ford’s support. And, of course, she couldn’t abandon her children. The only time she ever really clashed with Hanson was over that laboratory explosion. Palmer had just joined Ford Enterprises. And her son had nearly paid the price.
Now, with her son back, she reverted to her usual reticence, sparing any unnecessary words with Hanson.
Knowing his mother’s temperament all too well, Gregory chuckled before turning his icy gaze back to Hanson. “Mom asked me to let it go, but you know me, I don’t turn a blind eye to deceit.”
Both men stood their ground, but Gregory seemed to tower over Hanson in presence. Two years had sharpened him considerably. Glancing towards the direction of the upstairs study, Gregory’s voice was calm but firm, “If you want me to clean up this mess at Ford Enterprises, fine, but your illegitimate show–off needs to hit the road. Far away.”
Playing dress–up for someone else? Not his style.
Hanson’s eyes flickered, “Greg, he’s still a Ford by blood.”
Gregory’s gaze turned icy as he tossed a dossier over, “Take a look at this first.”
“What’s this?” As Hanson flipped through it, his face paled. “You…how did you find…?”
1/2
Chapter 47U
“It’s not important how I found it. What matters is, what do you think the police would make of this?”
The dossier was filled with evidence from the explosion two years back, all pointing to Palmer. Attempted murder, enough to put Palmer away for a long stretch.
Adah couldn’t help but want a peek, “Let me see that, Watson.”
“Mom! It’s nothing important, better you don’t.”
Hanson clenched his teeth, his demeanor turning surprisingly conciliatory, “Fine, you call the shots. I only handed Ford Enterprises to him because I thought you were gone. Now that you’re back, it’s rightfully yours. Time for irrelevant people to take a hike!”
A hike was better than jail time. And if things went south, it could drag him down too. But his reaction also indirectly confirmed his awareness of the explosion two years prior.
Disappointment flickered in Gregory’s eyes, yet he wasn’t surprised. He almost praised, “Typical of you, always knowing what stakes to play.”