Chapter 575: Trick Howard
Jasmine shot Ethan a look of pure shock. "They ratted out Claire that fast?"
"But you know Claire's legally Casey's grandpa, so she can just whip up some excuse to dodge any real trouble," Ethan said, his voice low and serious. "We'll keep this on her record for now. When the time's right, she won't get away with it."
"What went down today? Joe and Justin hopped into a car with some rando?" Cordelia rushed back in, looking frazzled.
She'd been cool with Justin and Joe hanging with Lisa 'cause her bodyguards were always tailing them from a distance.
"Justin and Joe slipped the bodyguards some cash to keep their distance, so it's not on them," Ethan quickly clarified.
Jasmine finally got it: these kids had some serious guts!
Back home, Claire got a call from the hospital. Daniel had been in a car wreck, busted a rib, and messed up his neck. He'd probably be stuck in bed for a while.
Fuming, she stormed to the hospital but saw two sets of cops—detectives tipped off by the kidnappers and police called by Lisa with the phone she tricked from the nanny. Shaking with rage, Claire glared at Lisa.
"You're out of your mind!"
Lisa shoved the nanny aside. "Mom, you're the one who's lost it."
Grabbing her phone from the table, Lisa frantically called Ethan to make sure the kids were safe.
Ethan assured her they were fine, and she finally exhaled in relief.
"Lisa, I should've never had you. You're actually siding with them," Claire spat as she was being hauled into the police car.
Lisa's eyes welled up as she looked at Claire. "Mom, wake up! You're gonna get Daniel killed."
As a sister, she was genuinely scared Claire would get Daniel killed.
"You ungrateful brat!" Claire felt utterly betrayed, her teeth grinding in anger.
As the police car drove off, Claire shot the nanny a knowing look.
The nanny quickly ducked into a corner to call Howard.
At this point, Claire was still Howard's wife, and this mess was a stain on the Douglas family's name. Family drama like this usually didn't involve the cops, so Howard would definitely try to shield Claire.
Plus, Claire had dirt on Howard that he was terrified of, especially with her at the police station.
So, Claire wasn't exactly sweating getting into trouble.
Meanwhile, the Cunningham family had Justin and Joe grounded, clueless about the chaos outside.
Howard showed up in person for Claire's sake. They were still married, and their fates were tied together. With Claire in the police station, Howard was even more freaked out than she was.
"Cordelia, this is all a big misunderstanding," Howard said, bringing gifts and practically groveling. "Ethan, seriously, it's just a mix-up. As a grandpa, I missed Justin and Joe, so I asked Claire to bring them over. I didn't think it would blow up like this. I should've talked to you first. It's my bad for missing the kids too much."
Howard, a sly old fox, was also the king of shamelessness.
Ethan just sneered, staying silent. This was the Cunningham family's turf, and with Cordelia there, he didn't need to say a word.
"You've got some nerve. Our kids were kidnapped, and you act like it's no big deal. If you wanted to see them, did we ever lock you out or put up a 'No Entry' sign? Why didn't you just come over instead of having Claire snatch them?"
Cordelia was livid, slamming the table and pointing right at Howard's face. "Howard, I've put up with you long enough. Don't push us too far."
Howard was sweating bullets, knowing Cordelia was not someone to mess with.
She had kept the Cunningham family strong all this time, so she was no lightweight.
"This is non-negotiable. Even if the cops call it a misunderstanding, we're taking it all the way!" Cordelia snapped, laying down the law. "Howard, I'm telling you, this isn't over. From now on, the Cunningham family is done with the Douglas Group."
"Cordelia, this shouldn't spill over into our businesses. We can't let personal beef mess with business," Howard said, wiping the sweat off his forehead, cursing Claire in his mind for being such a troublemaker.
"Are you serious? You're a real piece of work. Ethan built his own empire, and you latch onto him like a parasite. Even animals protect their young, but you? No excuse." Howard had come here himself, so he was gonna get a full-on verbal beatdown.
Howard's face darkened, but Claire had messed with their kids, so he had to take it.
"Recently, the Douglas Group has snagged quite a few deals from our LY," Jasmine said calmly, giving Ethan a thumbs-up.
Jasmine knew they couldn't completely take down Claire this time, but they could definitely squeeze some benefits out of Howard.
Howard took a deep breath and nodded through gritted teeth. "Business competition, that's all. Tomorrow, I'll have the Douglas project team ease up on the policies."
"Recently, the Douglas family and our LY have been competing for a project. As for that project..." Jasmine continued.
"The Douglas family will back off," Howard said, teeth clenched.
"We at LY still want to collaborate with the Douglas family on projects," Jasmine smiled, eyeing Howard.
Howard's face got even darker. "We'll concede three more points."
"Previously, Mr. Douglas was super unhappy with my marriage to Ethan and even threatened us, leaving a big scar in my heart," Jasmine said softly.
Howard's face was almost unrecognizable, but Cordelia's expression was stone-cold.
"Howard, let's also settle the score for how Claire treated Jasmine in the past," Cordelia threatened in a low voice.
"Ms. Cunningham, I was wrong back then. I apologize to you," Howard, a man who valued his reputation, actually apologized to Jasmine.
"Then you should also apologize on Claire's behalf. After all, she had someone kidnap my sons. This is serious. I can give her a chance for the sake of you being Ethan's father, but..." Jasmine looked at Howard.
Howard gritted his teeth, desperate to get Claire out, and finally spoke, "This is indeed Claire's fault. I apologize on her behalf to you and the two kids. Even if she gets out, I will teach her a harsh lesson."
Jasmine nodded. "Since you admitted fault, we won't press too hard."
Jasmine picked up her phone, saved the recorded video and audio, and waved it in front of Howard. "Words alone aren't enough. I hope you fulfill your promises tomorrow. Otherwise, posting this online would be devastating for the Douglas Group, wouldn't it?"
Howard's face twisted with rage, and he trembled, unable to say a word.
"Is it over just like that? When Claire gets out, you'd better bring her personally to apologize to my two grandsons. Otherwise, Jasmine might be soft-hearted, but I won't be," Cordelia said, slamming the table.
Howard took a deep breath and nodded through gritted teeth. "Tomorrow night, I'll bring her to apologize."
Giving Jasmine a nasty look, Howard sneered internally. The Raymond Group wouldn't help Ethan, and without the remaining shares, the Douglas Group would always be in his hands!
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
