Chapter 292 Do you think I'm a beggar?
I let out a sneer, looking at Anne's determined face, and said slowly, emphasizing each word, "What makes you think you're capable of running the Howard Group?"
"That's none of your business!" Anne shot back.
"When you were in charge, you turned the Howard Group into a mess. You've been in prison for years, completely out of touch with the outside world. The business market changes in the blink of an eye. Do you think it's still the same as before you went to jail? Even if you forcibly take over the Howard Group, you'll only drive the company, which has just gotten back on track, into the ground with your poor management. In the end, you'll get nothing and become the Howard Group's biggest enemy. The employees would drown you in their disdain." I couldn't help but mock Anne.
However, Anne crossed her arms and scoffed, "Stop trying to scare me. I've studied with Nicholas for years. How could I not be capable of managing the Howard Group? You only have your two companies thanks to a man's generosity. What makes you any better than me? What right do you have to judge me?"
I was furious but kept my composure and continued, "If you give up the Howard Group, I can give you $50 million. You can settle in any country you want and live a comfortable life."
Anne leaned back on the sofa and let out a cold laugh. "Fifty million dollars? Do you think I'm a beggar? I want the entire Howard Group. Do you really think I'd walk away for just fifty million? Not a chance."
Her breathing became rapid, and her chest heaved with anger.
After a moment, she said slowly, "Do you really think that money can make up for the three years of my youth I lost?"I took a deep breath, softened my tone, and tried to calm Anne down. "The past can't be changed. Clinging to what doesn't belong to you will only weigh you down further. I'm giving you a chance to start fresh, to live a peaceful life away from here. Isn't that a better option?"
"Back then, Edward gave me more pocket money than that," Anne muttered.
I suddenly realized this was the first time Anne had mentioned Edward since we met, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness for him.
"Anne, do you know what Edward's situation is like now?" I asked, gazing at her with a mix of emotions.
"Could it be worse than mine?" Anne stirred her coffee dismissively.
I stared straight into her eyes and said in a low voice, "He paid a heavy price for your mistakes. Not only did he lose the Howard Group, but his health was also ruined by the drugs you and your mother gave him. Now, he wears a clown costume and heavy makeup to sell balloons on the street. Even so, he's still saving money to pay off your debts. Don't you feel any shame?"
Hearing about Edward's plight, Anne exploded like a powder keg. "He brought this on himself. When the Howard Group was in trouble, he refused to help me. If he had helped, I could have asked Nicholas to fix things. If Nicholas had helped, the Howard Group wouldn't have nearly gone bankrupt."Her eyes blazed with anger, and her voice got sharper. "And it's all your fault!"
She suddenly stood up, pointing at me and shouting, "You jinxed Edward. The Howard Group was struggling, but he spent every day at the hospital with you, ignoring me. Now you both owe me!"
I was shaking with anger at Anne's sudden accusation. I stared back at her coldly and said, "You're being unreasonable. Your illegal actions and wrong choices have nothing to do with me."
A flash of rage crossed Anne's face. She stood up, leaning on the table as if ready to fight. "Don't play innocent. If you hadn't bewitched Edward, he wouldn't have ignored me. I made a mistake, but he should have helped me instead of focusing on you."
I shook my head with a bitter smile and responded, "Don't you get it? Edward always hoped you'd take the right path, manage the company well, or find a suitable partner. But you, driven by your selfish desires, got involved with Nicholas and did those dirty deeds, dragging the Howard Group into crisis. Do you think Edward didn't try to save you? Your mess was too big for anyone to handle. He didn't abandon you; he was powerless to help."
"Stop pretending to be kind," Anne snapped, leaning close to my face. "You just can't stand to see me doing well. Now that the Howard Group is improving, you want to take it over in your child's name. Dream on! You better hand it over to me."
Anne's loud voice drew everyone's attention in the café.
As the tension escalated, Alaric stood up and positioned himself between Anne and me. He looked at Anne seriously and said, "Ms. Howard, calm down. Blaming Diana for everything is unreasonable."
Anne glared at Alaric and said, "This is a Howard family matter. It has nothing to do with you. You have no right to interfere."
Unfazed by her hostility, Alaric continued earnestly, "I'm Diana's friend and a witness to this situation. The Howard Group's recovery is due to Diana's immense effort and pressure. You're being ungrateful. Is that right?"
He paused before continuing, "Speaking of family, Skylar is Edward's daughter. She should call you Aunt. If you truly care about Edward and your family, you should let go of your obsession and start anew."
Anne was stunned by Alaric's words.
She wanted to argue, but Alaric didn't give her a chance. He said, "You suffered in prison as a deserved punishment. We don't lack sympathy for you, but that's no excuse for your unreasonable behavior. If you choose to stop, Diana won't abandon you. But if you continue, you'll lose more than just the Howard Group. Consider this a friendly warning: the computer you used to hack into the Howard Group is now under my control. Think carefully about your next move."
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