Chapter 232 Complaining
Anthony smoothly shifted the conversation to the main issue.
Victor and Nathan stayed quiet, knowing this wasn't their fight.
Victor glanced at Damian and heard him calmly say, "Stock fluctuations are normal. Grandpa, you've been in the business game your whole life and know market trends better than I do."
Anthony scoffed, "Don't blame the market for personal choices. You think I don't follow the news, or do you think I'm an idiot?"
The tension in the garden spiked. Victor and Nathan held their breath, not daring to speak.
Damian stayed composed, "What have you heard, Grandpa Hearst?"
Anthony's anger was clear, his eyes sharp. "I've been unwell and out of company matters for two years. I trusted you, but it seems you're impulsive and neglecting shareholder interests. If you want success, don't let women distract you."
Victor, still single, kept his relationships clear. Despite having millions of female fans calling him "honey" on Facebook, he maintained a scandal-free image.
Anthony's words hit Damian hard.
The Hearst men kept their reputations intact in their inheritance fight. They fought fiercely at home but never let outsiders know.
Except for Damian, whose messy marriage left a mark on his record.
Damian, with a clear conscience, said, "You're right, Grandpa Hearst."
Anthony was surprised. His usually defiant grandson didn't argue?
"You know you were wrong?" Anthony asked.
"Yes, Grandpa Hearst. Getting involved like that isn't how a man should act. When it comes to a woman, I've got to be direct and decisive," Damian replied.
Anthony sensed a deeper meaning but couldn't grasp it. "Handle the online news quickly. You're a businessman, not a performer. Stop the nonsense and avoid making a fool of yourself."
"I will handle it," Damian said.
Victor, sweating, thought Grandpa Hearst and Damian would clash, but it ended just like that.
It seemed Grandpa Hearst favored Damian more than he thought.
Nathan joked, "Damian, are you dating Trinity?"
Anthony followed up, "Yes, you and Trinity should discuss wedding plans. I'll handle the rest!"
He couldn't let Damian act on whims anymore; they needed to move the wedding plans quickly.
"Grandpa Hearst, Trinity and I..." Damian started to clarify to avoid future issues.
Just then, the butler hurried over. "Mr. Anthony Hearst, Trinity is outside. She wants to see you."
Anthony's face darkened. He glanced at Damian and asked coldly, "Did she come alone?"
"Yes, Mr. Anthony Hearst. She seems quite anxious," the butler replied.
Annoyed by the interruption, Anthony gruffly said, "Let her wait in the parlor."
"Yes, sir," the butler responded.
Trinity saw Anthony and nodded respectfully. As she was about to speak, she noticed Damian and clutched her skirt, unable to sit still.
Seeing her anxiety, Anthony asked, "Who threatened you? Why are you so scared?"
Trinity hesitated for a moment, then gathered her courage. "No one, Mr. Anthony Hearst. I need to tell you something. I can't marry Damian."
Damian stayed calm on the sofa, showing no surprise.
Anthony looked puzzled. "Why not?"
Trinity, eyes red with tears, avoided Damian's gaze. "Because I've always liked someone else."
Anthony was confused. "You were the one who set up the blind date with Damian. Why say this now?"
Anthony's intimidating presence made Trinity's voice tremble, disrupting her prepared speech. She blurted out, "I wanted a reliable partner for Emperial Avenue Group. Who better than the Hearst family? But I can't marry someone I don't love. It's my fault. Please don't blame Damian."
Anthony, deeply puzzled, instinctively felt Damian was behind this. "Damian, speak up."
Innocently, Damian said, "I had no idea," shifting the blame to Trinity.
Damian's lips curved slightly, hinting at a smile. It seemed Ashley had handled things for him.
Trinity bowed deeply. "Mr. Anthony Hearst, Mr. Damian Hearst, I'm sorry. Please don't blame my parents or make things difficult for Emperial Avenue Group. It's all my fault, and I'm willing to bear all the losses."
Damian, empathetically, said, "Feelings can't be forced. I respect your decision."
Trinity, feeling a thousand thorns in her heart, sincerely thanked him, "Mr. Damian Hearst, thank you for your care these past few days. I'm happy to have you as a friend."
Anthony sighed deeply, "If that's the case, then so be it."
But Anthony wasn't truly letting them go. Trinity's actions had played the Hearst family, and she would have to pay the price to quell Anthony's anger.
In the adjacent tea room, Nathan and Victor could only speculate about the conversation inside.
Nathan, indignant, said, "Victor, Trinity must be here to complain! Damian publicly said online that he and Trinity aren't lovers. How could she bear such humiliation? Grandpa Hearst is in a bad mood today. You should use this chance to make him lose faith in Damian's management. Then you can become the official president."
Victor, more experienced, understood Damian's character better and chuckled, "We can't rush. Grandpa Hearst's trust in Damian runs deep. Unless he makes a major mistake, Grandpa Hearst won't falter. Today was just a wake-up call. Do you think Grandpa Hearst was serious?"
Nathan complained, "Victor! This is so unfair! Based on seniority, he shouldn't be president! Why? How is he better than you?"
Victor softly scolded, "Watch your mouth, or you'll get in trouble."
Nathan stubbornly said, "I don't accept it! Victor, if we join forces, we can definitely beat him!"
Victor said, "I was planning to ask Grandpa Hearst to let you join the company today. Let's see if there's an opportunity later."
Nathan nodded. "Once I'm in the company, with us working together and Dad helping, we can definitely outmaneuver Damian, no matter how meticulous he is!"
Victor signaled him to be quiet and, after some thought, said, "Since Ashley returned, she's helped KM Group with several lawsuits. These were all arranged by him. This is no coincidence. If you have nothing to do, keep an eye on Ashley for me."
