Chapter 629 Sean's Betrayal
"I came over for a drink." Mars turned around and dealt with a few bodyguards.
Larry sneered, "And who do you think you are? Oh, it's the lackey that the Rodriguez family doesn't want, young master Mars! Weren't you punished by Mr. Lawrence and demoted to an outlying province? The entire Trento City is aware of it! You two really make a perfect pair, two rejects from the Rodriguez family!
Mars's face darkened; he clenched his fists tightly and was about to rush forward.
Concerned about potential trouble and aware of Mars' deep humiliation, Sean swiftly took hold of Mars, urging, "Mars, they outnumber us. Let's make a run for it!"
Mars was reluctant, but he allowed himself to be pulled away by Sean.
The two left the club looking disheveled. Mars handed Sean over to the waiting driver and squinted, saying, "My wallet is still inside, I'll go get it."
Sean gazed at him. Despite the usual tension between Sean's family and Mars', with minimal interaction between them, Sean couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude towards Mars in that moment.
"Mars, I'll wait for you outside!" Sean called out.
"If you didn't wait for me, you wouldn't have the guts to go back and face Bryan looking like this," Mars taunted before heading back into the club.
Larry was waiting in the corridor. When Mars arrived, he smirked, "Mr. Martin, how was my performance?"
"Good job," Mars said and threw a black card at him.
Larry laughed wickedly and said, "Next time there's a job to humiliate Sean like this, just call me!"
Mars shot a meaningful look and smirked, "He falls for it every single time." With that, he turned and departed. Larry, clutching the card, walked away contentedly. To his surprise, he collided with Bentley as soon as he turned around.
Bentley stared at him.
Larry asked, "Bentley, what are you doing here?"
"You're helping Mars with something?" Bentley confirmed.
Larry hesitated before speaking, "You know my mom has cut off my financial support recently, right? I could really use some cash."
Bentley intervened sternly, "This is the last time. Don't let Mars manipulate you!"
Snatching the black card, Bentley ordered, "Go home immediately." Larry felt a wave of anxiety, unsure of how he had been manipulated.
He didn't dare to challenge Bentley and promptly departed.
Bentley squinted, staring at Mars's retreating figure, his eyes growing darker.
Bentley sensed that Lawrence might be in trouble.
However, as the president of the Jenkins Group, he was not foolish enough to entangle himself in the disputes of the Rodriguez family.
The last time Mars attempted to win him over, he had chosen to meet with Lawrence, which had already earned Lawrence some respect.
"Now, with Mars making these moves and taking Sean away, what does it signify?" Bentley pondered. "They must have a significant conspiracy."
With a slight smile playing on his thin lips, Bentley loosened his tie. "Lawrence, your fortune will be tested this time."
Bentley was determined to remain neutral in such affairs, as they were not his concern. With that, he turned and departed.
At Mars's villa, Sean was brought in by the driver, covered in injuries, and thrown onto the living room floor.
Shortly after, Mars returned to his car and entered, dropping a bag of medicine. Sean's face was swollen, his eyes barely visible.
It took him a moment to reach for the medicine, trembling. As he applied the medicine to his wounds, he cried out in pain.
With glass shards in his eyes, he, usually accustomed to being pampered, was now frightened and asked, "Mars, can you help me find a doctor? Larry hurt my eyes!"
"Useless." In the darkness, Mars leaned down with interest, smoking and staring at him, and asked, "Are you in pain?"
"I'm in so much pain!" Sean cried.
"If you're in pain, remember it." Mars lowered his eyes, his gaze turning colder, saying, "Remember this feeling of being humiliated. Do you think it was Larry who caused our difficulties, getting kicked out of the club?"
Sean paused heavily, understanding Mars's words.
Through gritted teeth, he spat out a name. "Lawrence! It's because of him that I've accomplished nothing! He's the reason they belittle me, treating me like a nobody. They constantly mention him and ridicule me, claiming that everything I have is thanks to Lawrence. But it's not true! I depend on my own abilities!"
Mars focused his gaze on Sean, a satisfied smile curling on his lips. "You're far from foolish, Sean; you're intelligent. Surely you see that it's all due to Lawrence. Without him, you wouldn't be treated as insignificant and looked down upon. It's a pity, really. Bryan shouldn't have to defer to someone of Lawrence's questionable lineage. And Sean," he continued, "just to make it clear, your time in the spotlight is waning. The rumors are true: once Lawrence comes back, your position will be at risk. He's a ruthless man who doesn't tolerate those who don't contribute. You don't consider yourself a freeloader, do you?"
Mars's lazy words stirred a seed of fear in Sean's heart.
Feeling guilty for his lack of contribution to the Rodriguez Group and relying solely on the success of the chip development to feel proud, Sean couldn't shake the thought that Larry was correct. He hadn't played a part in the chip's development.
As Sean pondered on Lawrence's impending return and the inevitable shift of glory back to him, Mars sensed the opportune moment as he observed the uncertainty in Sean's eyes.
Taking hold of his collar, Mars urged, "Sean, focus! You also desire to oust Lawrence, don't you? Don't be afraid!
Sean trembled in confusion. "Mars, can I get rid of him?"
"Of course you can. I'll tell you an easy way. Now that Bryan is in charge of the Rodriguez Group, you and your father are at the core. You have no pressure entering EWM's lab, right?"
"Are you saying I should..." Sean uttered with uncertainty.
"That's right, you take out the data from EWM," Mars said.
"That's stealing!" Even if Sean was a fool, he understood how important the EWM chip was. He was afraid and shook his head subconsciously. "Mars, the lab is protected by Jeremy, who is Lawrence's most trusted individual. Jeremy is ruthless; he commands a team and is not afraid to kill!"
"What are you afraid of? I have a plan." Mars squinted, losing patience. He said, "I've explained the pros and cons. When Lawrence returns, you and Bryan have no future. He's been oppressing you for so long, and you have to figure out a way for yourself! You also want to get the entire Rodriguez Group, don't you? If you manage to steal the data, it will sabotage the Rodriguez Group's path to chip development. Even if Lawrence sacrifices himself, it won't be sufficient to make up for the loss!"
"But if EWM is ruined, the Rodriguez Group will be ruined too. Then I'll be broken. I don't want a ruined Rodriguez Group!" Sean said.
"Even if the Rodriguez Group is destroyed, there will still be money left. Once you assume the role of the Rodriguez Group's president, you won't have to worry about lacking funds. At that point, Lawrence will be insignificant in comparison, and you can belittle and control him as you wish. Ambition is necessary. Just envision that scenario; wouldn't it bring you joy?"
Sean's eyes were glazed over with greed, and he was lost in fantasies of taking the president's seat, bringing Lawrence down, and finally letting all his fury out!
He had also advised his father about this, but Bryan's mind was clouded. He only served Lawrence wholeheartedly and even scolded his own son.
Sean clenched his fists, pondering, then suddenly looked up at Mars in the dim light.
He wasn't a fool.
Mars had displayed a strong ambition within the Rodriguez family, indicating that he would not willingly assist Sean in becoming the president.
Sean calmed down again and asked, "Mars, why are you helping me?"