Chapter 676

While other parts of the table were fraught with tension, their little corner was a picture of domestic bliss, drawing repeated glances from everyone else.
At Stella’s table, one of the younger cousins stared in amazement. “Wow, I never thought I’d see Uncle Harrison like this after getting married.”
Stella gripped her fork, grinding her teeth. That’s right. Who would have thought Uncle Harrison would be so doting? This was the happiness that should have belonged to Naomi. She looked away, her mind racing to come up with a plan.
Half an hour later, the banquet finally drew to a close. The patriarch took a sip of tea to rinse his mouth and then made his announcement.
“Barry, Todd, Victor. While Harrison was away, I allowed you to temporarily manage parts of the company. Now that he has returned, it is time for you to step down.”
Todd, ever the pragmatist, was already fiddling with a string of prayer beads. He chuckled. “As it should be. Harrison runs things far better than us old men ever could.”
But Barry and Victor nearly jumped out of their seats. “Dad, that’s not fair!”
“And how is it not fair?” the patriarch asked, his gaze level and calm. Before they could answer, he continued, “I gave you all a chance years ago. You lost to Harrison fair and square. To complain about fairness now, at your age… have you no shame?”
Barry and Victor were speechless. Barry’s face was livid, but he couldn’t form a rebuttal.
Victor, realizing that arguing was futile, clenched his jaw. “Fine, I’ll step down. But my son Simon must be given a position in the company to gain experience!”
He was referring to his illegitimate son, Simon. He had tried this before, but his legitimate children had interfered, taking the matter straight to the patriarch and thwarting his plan.
The patriarch glanced at him coldly. “Harrison is back. All decisions are his to make now. You can ask him if he agrees.”
All eyes turned to Harrison, especially those of Victor’s
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legitimate children. Their mother had been driven to despair and an early grave by Victor’s mistresses. They held.no/veir father and despised his illegitimate children. But if Harrison agreed, there was little they could do.
Harrison’s expression was unreadable. “Who is Simon?”
Victor immediately beckoned his son forward. “Simon, come and greet your uncle.”
To Harrison, he said with a forced smile, “This is your cousin, Simon. You haven’t met before, but it’s never too late to get acquainted.” ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ
Simon looked at Harrison with an eager, fawning expression. “Uncle Harrison!” he said warmly.
Beside Harrison, Anastasia frowned,
tel
a flicker of disgust in her eyes. In both her lives, she had despised nothing more than illegitimate children. It was one thing for Victor to have an affair, but to bring the result of it into the family home was reprehensible.
She hugged Harrison’s arm and let out a soft, disdainful huff.
Harrison gently patted her head. His voice was calm but carried a sharp edge As I recall, Aunt Janice on gave birth to four children. When did
another one appear?”
Simon’s face fell, and he glanced nervously at his father. Victor’s smile faltered.
“He is your ”
*Clink.* Harrison set his glass down on the table with a sharp, definitive sound. Everyone flinched.
His voice was like ice. “Who, exactly, are you trying to insult, Uncle Victor?”