Chapter 12 Guilt
+8 Pearls
The atmosphere in the conference room felt frozen. Everyone kept their heads down, fearing they would become the next target of Gavin’s wrath. Standing to the side, Brian furrowed his brows. He knew that if the situation wasn’t brought under control immediately, this turmoil could bring immeasurable negative consequences to the Layton Group.
“Mr. Gavin, please calm down.” His deep voice cared an undeniable authority.
Gavin lifted his head, his sharp gaze sweeping over everyone present. His chest rose and fell violently, fists clenched tightly as if he were on the verge of another outburst. However, under Brian’s deep and composed stare, he ultimately chose to relent.
Tm sorry Gavin forced out the words through gritted teeth, his voice so low it was almost inaudible.
Brian nodded, then turned to the other executives, speaking in a steady yet firm tone. “Today’s meeting is adjourned. Everyone, please return to your work. As for the partnership issue, I will arrange another discussion at a later time.”
The attendees let out a collective sigh of relief, hastily rising from their seats. Many didn’t even bother gathering their documents before making a quick exit, desperate to flee the tension–filled room. Soon, only Gavin and Brian remained.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Brian walked up to Gavin, his voice laced with obvious disapproval “Do you realize how many eyes were on you just now? Losing control like that only gives the outside world more ammunition against you.”
Gavin didn’t respond. He merely lowered his head, his face clouded with emotions. His lips trembled slightly, but he said nothing
Brian sighed. “Forget it. Now isn’t the time to assign blame. Go home, cool off, and don’t make things worse.”
Gavin lifted his gaze, meeting Brian’s eyes. Within them was a turbulent mix of anger, frustration, and deep regret. He said nothing more, simply grabbing his suit jacket from the back of his chair and striding out of the conference room.
By the time he reached the underground parking lot, a cold breeze blew against him, bringing a moment of clarity. Yet the suffocating weight of guilt and pain remained. Sitting inside his car, he placed his hands on the steering wheel but didn’t start the engine.
A single image kept surfacing in his mind–Adeline standing in court, her pale yet resolute face, and the look in her eyes–amir of despair and unwavering determination. She could have defended herself yet she had chosen silence, sacrificing her own reputation to protect the Layton family’s name and interests. And me! I had known the truth all along and had done nothing….
A surge of indescribable emotions overwhelmed him. He slammed his fist against the steering wheel, letting out a low growl. The guilt and remorse clawed at him, threatening to tear him apart, yet he had no idea how to make amends.
“No.. I can’t be like this!” He abruptly opened his eyes, shoved the key into the ignition, and floored the accelerator. The car sped out of the parking lot.
By nightfall, he was seated in a dimly lit bar, downing glass after glass of strong liquor. The burning sensation as it slid down his throat dulled his thoughts but did nothing to numb the pain gnawing at his heart. He stared at the liquid in his glass, as if it were an abyss that could swallow all his anguish and regret.
“Sir, would you like me to call a driver for you? A waiter cautiously approached, eyeing Cavin’s drunken state and speaking in
a soft voice.
Gavin looked up, his voice hoarse. “No.. Just bring me another drink”
The waiter hesitated but eventually complied. Gavin picked up the glass and drained it in one go, slamming the empty glass onto the table. His face was flushed from the alcohol, yet his eyes remained cold and hollow,
Meanwhile, at the Layton residence, the atmosphere was suffocating. Rayden sat on the sofa, his expression dark, one hand. tapping the armrest repeatedly while the other gripped his phone, dialing Gavin’s number over and over. No matter how many times he called, there was no answer.
do sense of responsibility at
That ungrateful brat!” He finally lost his patience and hurled the phone onto the coffee table. “No
Chapter 12 Guilt
8
+8 Pearls
and needs some time to adjust….”
“Adjust”” Rayden scoffed “He seems to be adjusting just fine! After making a mess of the company, he has the audacity to go our drinking
Adeline stood in a comer of the living room, silent. Her gaze was lowered, appearing calm, but her fingers were clenched tightly around the hem of her clothes. I could feel it–this entire incident someone involved me, and that lingering unease suffocated
At that moment the front door swung open. Gavin staggered in, reeking of alcohol. He looked utterly dishevelled, his tie loosened, his shirt wrinkled–nothing like the composed and confident heir he usually was.
“You still have the nerve to come back?” Rayden shot up from his seat, striding over and grabbing Gavin by the collar. “Look at yourself? Do you have any shame!”
“Let go of me “Gavin struggled, but in his drunken state, he was too weak. He could only let his father shake him like a ragdoll “I already feel terrible enough. Stop pushing me!”
Pushing you?” Kayden let out a bitter laugh. “If I hadn’t been shielding you all this time, the shareholders would have kicked! you out of the company by now! And now? Thanks to your tantrum, the company is in chaos, and you have the audacity to
talk back?”
“Enough” Diana, who had remained silent, finally stepped in, placing herself between the two men. Her voice carried pleading tone. “Rayden, stop scolding him. He’s already suffering enough. If this continues, something terrible will happen.”
“Suffering!” Rayden’s eyes widened in disbelief as he glared at his wife. “What part of this is suffering? He made a mistake and expects others to clean up his mess!”
Adeline stood motionless in the corner, watching everything unfold. Her chest felt heavy, like a boulder pressing down on her, making it hard to breathe. And when she saw Diana turn to look at her, the complex emotions in her adoptive mother’s gaze made her heart clench even tighter–it was an expression of remorse mixed with guilt and unease.
Why? Why was Mom looking at me like that? Did this mean… that this whole mess was truly connected to me?
Adeline clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms, yet she still couldn’t suppress the rising unease. Just then, she
heard Diana’s soft voice.
“Addie, go back to your room and rest. This has nothing to do with you.”
That single sentence was like an invisible barrier, shutting her out. But at the same time, it planted even more doubts in her heart–what had really happened? Why was everyone hiding the truth from me?
Back in her room, she leaned against the door, took a deep breath, and closed her eyes. The suffocating feeling didn’t lessen in the slightest. Instead, it grew heavier, like waves drowning her, pulling her deeper into the abyss…
Send Gifts
1
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