Chapter 199 Daniel Uses His Nephew to Take Away Justin
Lisa stared at Daniel in disbelief, as if she couldn't fathom his intentions. "What are you planning to do?"
She couldn't recall a time when Daniel displayed such calculated scheming.
In a hushed voice, Lisa questioned, "Have you lost your mind?"
"Casey?" Howard queried, his curiosity piqued.
It was evident that Howard was also willing to resort to extreme measures to achieve his objectives.
Within Stellar Enterprises, Ethan's prowess was undeniable. Howard's attempt to pressure Ethan into taking a 'leave of absence' had backfired, leaving the company floundering in Ethan's absence.
Now, with Ethan using this as a pretext to stay away, Howard was becoming increasingly desperate.
He was prepared to employ any means necessary to coax Ethan back.
"Dad, the Taylors haven't been keeping a close eye on Casey lately, and I'm too occupied to handle it myself. Casey refuses to return home and insists on staying with my brother, along with Justin," Lisa whispered.
Lisa was genuinely surprised that Ethan had taken an interest in Casey. When she was too intoxicated to pick Casey up, Ethan stepped in and took him home. Since then, Casey had been having such a great time that he didn't want to leave.
In Lisa's perception, Ethan had always seemed distant, seemingly looking down on her and Daniel. She had assumed he would treat Casey similarly.
However, to her surprise, Casey had formed a genuine bond with his great uncle, even shedding tears when it was time to depart. It was evident that Ethan had invested genuine effort in bonding with his nephew.
This unforeseen development caught Lisa off guard, stirring some unexpected emotions within her.
"We could have Casey lure that brat Justin out and keep him away from the Summers for a while. Once something happens, Richard is bound to contact Jasmine, and her return would inevitably bring Ethan back," Daniel proposed.
"Daniel!" Lisa was outraged. "You're involving a child in your schemes—Casey is only five years old, what are you thinking?"
"It's not exploiting him." Daniel furrowed his brow. "It's merely having him take Justin out to play. Our people will discreetly monitor them; nothing will go wrong."
"I disagree." Lisa's tone was firm, reflecting her displeasure.
She wouldn't allow her son to be entangled in such affairs. Regardless of the outcome, how would Casey confront his uncle Ethan once he learned of his role?
"Just follow Daniel's suggestion," Howard commanded sternly, convinced it would compel Ethan to return.
"I bet your brother's been ensnared by that seductress!" Howard spat indignantly.
"That Jasmine, she's nothing but trouble. Look at what she did to our Daniel..." Clara's voice trembled with emotion, tears welling in her eyes. "She's a curse, that's for sure. Just look at any family that's associated with her; none of them have had a good outcome."
After a moment's pause, she continued, "Take the Wilsons, for instance—their daughter vanished for over two decades, leaving poor Serena sick with worry. Then there's the Browns; Zelda is so terrified of her that she's afraid to return to the country. If those so-called victims were to speak out, Zelda could end up behind bars upon her return."
Clara's anger was palpable. "Jasmine is a catastrophe, wreaking havoc wherever she goes. She truly did a number on the Wilsons, and not once did her foster parents defend her."
Daniel scowled deeply, offering no defense for Jasmine.
People were only aware of the dire circumstances faced by the Wilsons and the Browns, oblivious to the even more atrocious acts they had perpetrated against Jasmine.
"Zelda Brown got what she deserved," Lisa declared with a sense of righteousness. "Even as a child, she was a bully. I know far more than what's commonly known—like the time in elementary school when she blinded a classmate. Truly despicable. Regardless of whether her exile from the country had anything to do with Jasmine, does she really wield that much influence?"
Clara shot Lisa a piercing glare but refrained from further comment.
After a prolonged silence, Daniel finally spoke up, "Sis, I'm going to pick up Casey tonight."
Lisa furrowed her brow with concern. "Daniel, think this through carefully."
Although she harbored resentment toward Jasmine and was consumed by jealousy—going so far as to watch others torment her without intervening—she couldn't stomach the idea of involving children.
"You don’t need to worry," Daniel asserted firmly as he rose from his seat and left the Douglas family residence.
He intended to ascend the ranks steadily until he stood at the pinnacle, with Ethan beneath his heel.
Daniel's objective was to oust Ethan from Stellar Enterprises entirely. And when that day arrived, he wanted to witness firsthand Ethan's true capabilities, stripped of his veneer of pride and grandeur.
In Silverlight City, the artificial island remained tranquil and unspoiled, earmarked for an as-yet-unopened resort boasting breathtaking vistas.
Nestled at the island's heart was a luxury hotel, fully constructed but not yet operational.
The resort's butler chauffeured Jasmine around the premises in a golf cart designated for sightseeing. "Miss, are you familiar with this locale?" he inquired.
Jasmine shook her head in wonderment. "I've seen reports about it, stating it's a forthcoming retreat owned by the Crestwood Development Group."
"Yes, indeed," the butler affirmed with a smile as he drove her toward the hotel.
The boutique hotels on the island exuded a cozy, welcoming ambiance. Split-level villas dotted the landscape, each featuring expansive garden courtyards and open rooftop gardens that sparkled under the night sky, mere steps away from sandy beaches and the sea. It was an idyllic setting, perfect for honeymooners or wedding celebrations.
In recent years, the city had witnessed the meteoric rise of a powerhouse that surpassed Stellar Enterprises in real estate and venture capital investments. To evade the limelight cast by this burgeoning force, Stellar Enterprises had maintained a cautious distance from these sectors.
Jasmine was well-acquainted with the buzz surrounding this dynamic upstart.
To ensure Ethan had a robust contingency plan, she needed to secure formidable allies for him—partners such as the Cunninghams and the Browns, individuals who would give Howard pause before making any rash decisions.
Publicity Inc. stood out as the most enigmatic of all the enterprises.
To this day, Jasmine hadn't been able to discern the true identity of Publicity Inc.'s CEO.
Speculation abounded within the business community regarding Publicity Inc. Some posited that it was helmed by a naturalized Chinese-American, while others believed it was backed by foreign investment, with a figurehead registered as its legal representative. The identity of the individual truly pulling the strings behind the company remained a mystery to all.
In the past five years, Publicity Inc. had experienced a dramatic surge, emerging as a dark horse in the business arena.
"Jasmine, come over here." At the resort, Ethan, clad in swim trunks, beckoned to Jasmine.
Alighting from the tour trolley, Jasmine dashed toward him eagerly. "Mr. Ethan! This is the Publicity Inc. resort that hasn't opened to the public yet!"
Observing Jasmine's elation, Ethan smiled warmly.
"This area is still private. I've heard that the chairman of Grand Sea Corporation sought to host his daughter's wedding reception here, but he couldn't even persuade Publicity Inc.'s CEO to make an exception!" Jasmine practically bounced with excitement, her eyes gleaming with newfound hope.
"Who told you that? Sounds like mere gossip to me." Ethan chuckled. "Come on, let's go for a swim."
Jasmine's enthusiasm for swimming had waned. "Mr. Ethan, do you know the CEO of Publicity Inc.?"
If Ethan could establish a connection with the CEO of Publicity Inc. and secure a collaborative project, then even if Howard sought to eject Ethan from Stellar Enterprises, he would have to think twice.
Ethan regarded Jasmine thoughtfully for a moment. "I suppose you could say... I'm acquainted with him."
Jasmine's heart swelled with joy. The private resort area, as she had heard, was the personal domain of Publicity Inc.'s CEO. The employees of Publicity Inc. all claimed that their CEO intended to host a wedding reception there, and until that event transpired, the resort would remain closed to the public.
The fact that Ethan had brought her here indicated that he must be quite familiar with the CEO—close enough, at least, to be considered friends.
"Mr. Ethan, can we discuss arranging a project collaboration with Publicity Inc.?" Jasmine dashed off to retrieve her tablet, eager to delve into business matters.
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