Chapter 158 The Apology from the Flynns
Alyssa suspected Reese might be bluffing, so she walked over and tugged at Reese's sleeve.
"Reese, bragging won't get you anywhere. You better come up with a way to make Grandpa forgive you."
Reese patted Alyssa's hand gently, "Chill out. Didn't Grandpa say as long as we can smooth things over with the Flynns, he won't hold Malcolm accountable?"
"Do you really think the Flynns would just let it go? Didn't you see Uncle Sawyer and Shirley's eyes bore into you as you left? It was as if they wanted to drill holes through you!"
"Don't worry."
Seeing Alyssa so concerned for her, Reese felt that she was quite decent, at least she wasn't adding fuel to the fire in this situation.
Besides, even if there was additional drama, Reese wouldn't be fazed. She never let others' interference sway her decisions.
Malcolm, on the other hand, was somewhat curious. He crossed his arms in a relaxed and indifferent manner, wondering what Reese was going to pull off.
Everly, however, didn't believe Reese had such capabilities and didn't miss the opportunity to scoff from the sidelines.
"Reese, don't stall for time here. Grandpa's not going to lessen your punishment just because you waste a few minutes."
Reese glanced coldly at Everly, "Weren't you just pleading on behalf of Malcolm? Why? Are you hoping Grandpa whips him a couple more times to make you feel better?"
Everly retorted in a hurry, "When did I say that? You're trying to stir up trouble between my brother and me, yet you claim you're not up to something?"
"If I really had ulterior motives, you might not be able to call him 'brother' anymore."
Reese's words were loaded with meaning, understood by those who knew the score.
Everly had feelings for Malcolm that went beyond sibling love; despite being his legitimate wife, Reese hadn't made an issue of it. Yet here was Everly, arguing with her over it.
Reese had refrained from escalating the situation, not wanting to cause further conflict. If her anger flared, it would be hard to predict whose reputation might suffer.
Hearing Reese's insinuation, Everly froze, her face flushed with embarrassment.
"You... stop talking nonsense!"
"Whether it's nonsense or not, you know best. If you want us to live in peace, it's best we mind our own business."
Reese's dealings within the Flynn family were always aboveboard; she had no fear of any dirt that Everly might dig up. In contrast, Everly's situation was quite the opposite.
Everly bristled with indignation but couldn't muster a valid counterargument to challenge Reese. Tension hung in the air until an aide hurried in with unexpected news.
"Sir, the Cartwrights have arrived."
Grandpa Flynn's eyes widened in disbelief. "Who has come?"
"Mr. Sawyer Cartwright and his daughter, Shirley, sir. They brought a bunch of stuff with them, said they came to apologize."
This news shocked Grandpa Flynn and surprised everyone present, especially Reese. It was a striking coincidence that the Cartwrights chose this moment to show up and make amends.
Alyssa remembered the earlier heated argument and how angry father and daughter had been. It was perplexing that just a few hours later, they were personally delivering gifts as an apology.
She cast a glance at Reese, who remained cool and collected. Good heavens, what had he done to sway those two proud individuals to come over and apologize?
"Let them in," Grandpa Flynn said, still puzzled but unwilling to leave his guests waiting outside.
After the aide ushered the Cartwrights in, Mr. Cartwright entered the foyer with gifts, his face beaming at the sight of Grandpa Flynn.
"Grandpa Flynn, I apologize for the late visit," he said with a warm smile.
Grandpa Flynn quickly rose to greet him. "Nonsense, I'm glad you're here. I was just talking about having Reese and Malcolm visit you to apologize. They're young, a bit hot-headed, and prone to mistakes. If there's been any offense, I hope you won't take it to heart."
Mr. Cartwright had a hearty demeanor and showed no signs of taking offense.
"Oh, don't speak like that. How could I hold a grudge? Our families go way back. In fact, I should apologize to Malcolm and Reese. I was in the wrong today for not understanding the whole situation— I should've been a better father."
Saying this, he nudged Shirley with his elbow. Reluctantly, and with clear unwillingness, Shirley forced herself to address Grandpa Flynn.
"Grandpa, I was wrong today. I realize my mistake."
Caught off guard by the sudden display of contrition, Grandpa Flynn was momentarily confused but kept a composed façade.
Shirley had no reason to apologize. If anyone owed an apology, it was Malcolm who should have apologized to her. His actions today were impulsive, and he must have hurt her feelings.
"No, no, it's not Malcolm's fault at all. It's all on me."
Shirley quickly waved her hand in dismissal, she couldn't bear to blame Malcolm. And if she were to blame anyone, it was Reese – she was the one causing all this trouble.
If it hadn't been for her whispering poison in Malcolm's ear, he never would have had the heart to treat her this way.
It was all so confusing to Shirley; today, just after returning home with her dad, they got a mysterious call. The person on the other end, whoever it was, demanded they apologize to Malcolm and Reese. Of course, they refused.
But then the threats came. The caller used the stocks of Sue's Diner as leverage, claiming that if they didn't comply, by tomorrow he could tank the stock, causing losses in the hundreds of millions – practically a death blow to Sue's Diner, given that half their business was tied up in the stock market.
Naturally, they weren't the type to bow to such pressure, but what happened next was a shocker. Their stocks plummeted within minutes, losing tens of millions. It scared Shirley and her brother Sawyer half to death. To prevent further loss, they had no choice but to come over in the dead of night, bearing gifts and apologies.
Frankly, nobody wanted to do it, but they were out of options.
They had tried to investigate the identity of the caller, but it remained elusive, and their financial losses were real.
As Shirley recalled the earlier incident, she found herself still shaking from the scare.
Even Grandpa Flynn felt awkward demanding an apology from Sue's Diner, considering their years of friendship and mutual business interests. It wouldn't make sense for such a minor incident to sour such a fruitful relationship.
Breaking the tension with a hearty laugh, Grandpa Flynn remarked, "These are minor issues; Malcolm and Reese won’t take them to heart."
Sawyer, however, shook his head. "Nevertheless, a formal apology from Shirley to Malcolm and Reese is in order – just to get their forgiveness."
With that, Sawyer gave Shirley a pointed look. Left with no choice but to save Sue's Diner, Shirley braced herself to face Reese and Malcolm.
"Malcolm, Miss Reese, I'm sorry."
Malcolm slung his arm around Reese’s shoulder, saying, "Shirley, Reese is my wife, and since you call me Malcolm, you should call her Reese."
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
