Chapter 83

Chapter 83:

He was cut off by Stacey’s panicked voice over the phone. “Leland, do you know what’s happening with the three-hundred-million-dollar project? The Owen family was supposed to hand it to the Dury family — now something’s wrong! Fred won’t even return my calls p>

Leland was momentarily speechless. “What do you mean? The deal fell through p>

Stacey’s voice was thin with panic. “Yes! Fred said the Dury family put up at least half their fortune as collateral for this project. Now Owen Group has announced that Dury breached the contract, and their deposit has been confiscated. Leland, what’s happening p>

With Fred tying up so much of his family’s resources, the loss of this project spelled disaster for the Durys.

Leland’s complexion paled. “You just got engaged to Fred, and our family invested in Dury shares so we could get a piece of that three-hundred-million-dollar project. If this falls apart now, the fallout will hit us too p>

Stacey was growing frantic. “What should we do? I tried talking to Dad, but he’s locked in his office, hasn’t said a word or answered my calls in days p>

“He’s probably aware of everything already.” Leland’s mind was racing — he was the only one left to act, the only one with any chance of salvaging things. He’d have to get in touch with Fred and see if the damage could be undone. The moment Stacey realized that Leland was planning to approach the Owens, she chimed in, “Take me with you, Leland. I promise not to make a scene — I just want everyone to know I stand with the Kirk family, and I’ll support you no matter what p>

Something in Leland eased a little. “Alright. We’ll go together p>

Fred, meanwhile, had suffered a breakdown after his confrontation at Owen Group. By evening, he was admitted to the hospital for psychiatric care. He spent his lucid moments muttering, “There’s been a mistake. This isn’t real. It can’t be p>

Neither of Fred’s parents had the faintest clue what went wrong during his visit to the Owen Group’s subsidiary, but their worry only grew.

As the Kirks prepared for their visit to the Owen family, Tessa — her legs aching — allowed herself to be helped by Stacey and joined the group.

gⱯlnσν𝓮𝓁s﹒𝓬𝗈𝗺, the heart of fiction

When they arrived at Serenity Manor, the servants quickly informed Kendrick. He had no interest in dealing with them directly and left everything in Deandre’s hands.

Leland and Kenneth Dury, Fred’s father, went ahead to speak with Deandre, while the others were shown around the manor’s gardens by a group of attentive servants.

Just before he left, Leland turned to his mother and sister. “Mom, Stacey, remember — we’re meeting Mr. Deandre Owen with Mr. Dury. This isn’t just any prominent family. Mind your manners and try to leave a positive impression p>

Tessa gave a brisk nod. “Don’t worry, I know what’s at stake p>

Meanwhile, Rylie was preparing for the charity gala Paola had mentioned earlier. She’d arranged for a trusted assistant to bring over a jewelry box from her private collection, and the delivery was now waiting at Serenity Manor’s front door.

Inside the box was a rare treasure she’d picked up at a discreet auction — an heirloom from a royal lineage, elegant and timeless, valuable without being flashy.

A servant knocked lightly at her bedroom door and said, “Miss Owen, there’s a package for you at the entrance that needs your signature p>

“Alright, I’ll be there,” Rylie replied, stepping out of her room with an easy stride, only to run right into Tessa, Stacey, and Fred’s mother, Octavia Dury. The three of them were being escorted through the hall.