Chapter 18
Clearing his throat, Jasper tried to mediate, his voice filled with an attempt to diffuse the tension. “Let’s all calm down. This is
just a misunderstanding.”
Before he could steer the conversation away, Claude, who had remained silent for a while, spoke again. His tone carried a commanding authority that brooked no argument.
“The one hundred million dollars I’ve invested now comes with an additional condition–there will be no collaboration with this
Miss Harlow or her family. I wouldn’t want to jeopardize the project’s success.
The implication was clear: she was bad luck.
Yvonne nearly exploded with rage. She opened her mouth to retort, but the cold glint in Claude’s eyes made her bite her tongue.
Instead, she turned to Jonathan, her voice dripping with grievance. “Uncle ”
Jonathan snapped back to attention, ready to defend her, but before he could say anything, Claude’s gaze swept over him dismissively, his tone laced with indifference.
“Ah, I almost forgot. The Harlow family, was it? Let me add that their trivial contribution should also be returned. Such pocket
change isn’t welcome here.”
Jonathan’s face flushed a deep crimson, his anger barely contained beneath the surface. Claude’s words had cut deep, making it
painfully clear just how insignificant his two–million–dollar investment was compared to the staggering one hundred million.
The truth was undeniable–the Harlow family couldn’t even dream of matching such an amount, no matter how hard they tried.
Swallowing his fury, Jonathan forced a stiff smile. “Sir, I don’t know who you are, but this is a private family matter. Stellar is my niece, and it’s inappropriate for an outsider to interfere.”
Stellar didn’t flinch.
She spoke plainly, her tone devoid of emotion. “Mr. Brook, we no longer have any ties.”
Jonathan froze, struck speechless by her blunt rejection.
Claude let out a soft chuckle, his gaze dripping with mockery as he turned to Jonathan. “The Harlow family sure has thick skin, desperate enough to force a connection where none exists.”
His expression turned cold. “And I’ve never seen a family member so malicious as to destroy their own niece’s future.”
Jonathan’s face darkened.
Claude wasn’t done yet. “Oh, so we’re family now, are we? Then tell me, is this how the younger generation speaks to their
elders?”
Though they were of similar age, Claude’s imposing stature and commanding presence overshadowed Jonathan completely,
chapur 38
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making him look small in comparison.
Jonathan’s face flushed red with humiliation, nearly tipping over the edge of rage. But as he caught the aura radiating from Claude, backed by a one–hundred–million–dollar investment, he knew this man was no ordinary opponent.
Swallowing his fury, Jonathan suppressed the shame boiling inside him. “Yvonne, we’re leaving.”
“What?” Yvonne’s eyes widened in disbelief.
In her mind, her uncle could handle anyone with ease. He was her unshakable shield. Yet now, he was backing down?
“But they-”
“Enough.” Jonathan grabbed her wrist and spun her around, forcing her to leave. His tone left no room for argument.
As they exited, Yvonne turned her head one last time, locking eyes with Stellar. She stood tall, her gaze piercing and filled with
calm disdain. It felt like a slap across Yvonne’s face, and rage flared within her.
“Stellar Rivers, you just wait. I won’t let you get away with this!” Yvonne thought.
Once they left, Jasper stepped forward, his face a mix of discomfort and forced politeness. “Um, Victor, this gentleman is…?”
Victor scoffed. “Jasper, given our shared history, let me tell you this: as the dean of this school, to forsake a student who once
brought glory to your institution, all for personal gain is disgraceful. You’ve failed as an educator. It’s beyond disappointing.”
Jasper’s face turned bright red with shame, and he lowered his head. “You’re right, Victor. I… I was wrong.”
Despite his title, Jasper knew Victor’s standing in the school far outweighed his own. To cross Victor was to risk his career.
Victor glanced at him coldly. “You owe an apology, but not to me.”
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