Chapter 225 Well-Intentioned
The Twin Group. Chairman's office.
Skyview, Suzanne, Lily, and Hekka were all huddled around Skyview's computer, eyes glued to the live feed. It wasn't some blockbuster movie; it was a live stream of Jaxon getting his comeuppance from Maddox.
No one in the room felt even a tiny bit sorry for Jaxon. His cockiness and reckless antics had finally caught up with him.
"Three grand a month," Skyview said to Suzanne, "twelve-hour shifts, six days a week, and just one day off a month. Jaxon might hate it, but that's the reality for millions in Golden Valley. He's your brother, Suzanne. Can you really handle him slogging away in that factory for seven months?"
The truth was, Suzanne had set this whole thing up. Thelonius had tried to take out Skyview by using Jaxon as a pawn. He got a loan company he controlled, The Crimson Shadows, to nab Jaxon on bogus charges, forcing Suzanne to leave her post protecting Skyview.
But Thelonius didn't know that The Crimson Shadows were secretly run by the Kensington family, and Lily, Skyview's assistant, was one of them. When Jack had kidnapped Skyview before, it was Lily who called in The Crimson Shadows to save him.
Kellan, wanting to help Skyview again, had tipped him off about the assassination attempt. Skyview decided to play along with Suzanne's supposed distraction, using it as bait to catch the assassins.
Suzanne had one condition: Jaxon needed a serious wake-up call. She didn't expect a complete 180, but she couldn't stand watching him spiral out of control.
"Hard work builds character." Maddox's voice boomed from the computer. "Jaxon's problem is he's lazy. Years of being spoiled have messed up his sense of reality. Let him work in the factory for six months, sweat for every penny to pay off that loan. He might just get his act together. He likes video games, not gambling. If it were the latter, we'd be having a very different talk."
"And what if he doesn't change?" Suzanne asked, worry in her voice.
"Don't sweat it," Maddox reassured her. "I've got a backup plan."
A wave of understanding hit Suzanne. Maddox's tough love was exactly what Jaxon needed.
"I do feel sorry for him, honestly," Suzanne admitted, her voice cold, "but he's made his choices. My family always favored the boys. My parents spoiled him rotten, and this is what we get. He's still young, though. If we step in now, there's a chance he can turn things around. If he keeps going like this, he's done for. Honestly, I'd rather see him dead than like that."
Suzanne's icy exterior hid a well of emotions. Her words, though cold, were tinged with deep sorrow.
Skyview chuckled. "Don't worry. If six months in that factory doesn't straighten him out, send him my way. My irresistible charm will work wonders."
Suzanne shot him a disdainful look. "You're more of a con artist than he is. You've swindled people out of billions! Didn't Kaelen get so riled up that he spent 200 million on a deepfake video just to discredit you? You're worse than Jaxon, far more shameless!"
"Suzanne, you wound me." Skyview feigned hurt. "You misunderstand my genius! It's all about thinking outside the box, achieving success through unconventional means."
"Just focus on surviving Kaelen's assassins first," Suzanne retorted coldly.
"With you around, no one can touch me," Skyview laughed. "Don't you have any faith in your own abilities?"
"Sometimes," Suzanne muttered, "I'm tempted to kill you myself."
"Am I truly that unbearable?" Skyview asked, feigning innocence.
"You’re the epitome of a capitalist," Suzanne stated flatly. "Exploiting others, living in obscene luxury. Tell me, Skyview, do you ever find yourself repulsive?"
"If my past self met my present self," Skyview mused, "he'd probably be appalled. But right now? I'm feeling pretty damn good about myself. Sorry to disappoint you."
Hekka intervened, chuckling. "Alright, you two, enough bickering. Suzanne, Skyview genuinely cares about you."
Suzanne scoffed. "If he didn't, I wouldn't be his bodyguard. I would have knocked some sense into him ages ago."
Hekka turned to Skyview, her eyes twinkling. "And Skyview, Suzanne cares about you too."
Skyview threw back his head and laughed. "I know. She's all bark and no bite. Deep down, she's smitten. It's understandable, really. Spending every day with someone as charming as myself..."
Suzanne rolled her eyes and turned to leave.
"Where are you going?" Skyview called after her.
"To throw up," Suzanne replied flatly. "You're disgusting."
Hekka watched their exchange with amusement. They were two sides of the same coin, fiercely loyal but masked by their pride and constant bickering.
"Kaelen's assassins are a serious threat," Lily interjected, her tone serious. "Luring them out was just the first step. We need to consider the long game. What if he sends more?"
"Simple," Skyview said, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Let's retaliate."
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