Chapter 8: Conspiracy Unfolds
1030 Words
If Darius Blackwood could indeed share a lunch with Isabella Fairfax, what terrifying truth could be hiding behind his real identity?
Their eyes met, and both could see the shock and fear reflected in each other's gaze.
Gregory Hartwell tried to maintain his composure, reassuring himself, "This must be a misunderstanding, you surely saw wrong!"
"But what if that person really is Darius Blackwood..."
Emma Hartwell's words were cut short as the grand doors of Velvet Twilight suddenly swung open.
The figure emerging was none other than Isabella Fairfax, the CEO of BlueOcean Enterprises, her face etched with concern, supporting a middle-aged woman with a head of grey hair who appeared extremely frail.
Emma Hartwell managed a sycophantic smile, mustering the courage to inquire, "Miss Fairfax, the man who just left Velvet Twilight, was he Darius Blackwood?"
"So his name is Darius Blackwood!"
Isabella's heart skipped a beat, surprised to learn the man's name in such a manner.
However, her concern for her mother's health prompted her to merely nod in acknowledgment, eager to leave as soon as possible.
"Yes, what about it?"
Boom!
Isabella's response hit like a thunderbolt, leaving Emma Hartwell pale-faced and utterly distraught.
Gregory Hartwell's expression soured as well.
"How could this be..."
Isabella found their reaction strange, but her mother suddenly became hysterical at the mention of Darius Blackwood's name, shouting, "Darius Blackwood! He deserves to die, he must die!"
"Mom! What's wrong with you!"
Isabella was instantly alarmed, her mother's condition could not withstand such agitation.
She glared at the two unwelcome visitors, reprimanding, "I don't know who you two are, but please mind your manners when asking questions!"
Without waiting for their reaction, she planned to leave with her mother.
However, Emma Hartwell saw the reaction of Isabella's mother and sensed something amiss.
She boldly stepped forward to ask, "Miss Fairfax, were you discussing a loan with Mr. White's father, and Darius Blackwood, that failure, interfered?"
Gregory Hartwell, grasping at straws, looked up eagerly, "Exactly, that must be it! Christopher just mentioned this to us!"
Isabella, frustrated by the repeated interruptions, turned cold, "Oh, so you know everything, do you?"
With a wave of her hand, she and her mother were escorted away by their bodyguards.
Watching Isabella's retreating figure, Emma Hartwell's fear transformed into arrogance, "Look at that Darius Blackwood, spouting lies and even ruining Mr. White's father's business. What a jinx!"
Her face twisted with bitterness, as if she wished she could scold Darius Blackwood on the spot.
Gregory Hartwell exhaled deeply, adding, "After all the help Christopher gave him, and this is how he repays? Such despicable behavior!"
"We must have Aurora dissolve this marriage! I cannot acknowledge such a son-in-law for another day!"
…
In the private dining room on the first floor.
As Emma Hartwell stormed in, Aurora Hartwell was earnestly trying to persuade her sister, "Evelyn, why won't you listen? Why are you so set on handing over Hartwell Global Enterprises?"
"At the end of the day, you just can't part with your title as CEO, can you?"
Evelyn Hartwell showed impatience, "Once Christopher takes over Hartwell Global Enterprises, I'll make sure you get the title of Honorary CEO, how about that?"
"That's not what I meant..." Aurora frowned, wanting to explain further.
But then, Emma Hartwell's decisive voice interrupted, "Evelyn, I've discussed it with your father."
"After you two get married, we'll do everything possible to transfer all the power of Hartwell Global Enterprises into his hands. The future of Hartwell Global Enterprises will be up to him!
"What?"
"Thank you, Mom!" Faced with their mother's sudden decision, the sisters had diametrically opposite reactions.
"Mom, Christopher White is an outsider after all, we can't just blindly trust him!"
Aurora Hartwell couldn't believe what she was hearing.
Evelyn Hartwell looked at her sister disdainfully and scoffed, "Would you rather have us trust your worthless husband? Aurora, have you lost your mind? I'm embarrassed enough for the both of us!"
"Darius..."
"Enough!"
Emma Hartwell, feeling as though she wad a hat that had been stepped on tail, burst out angrily at the mention of Darius Blackwood's name again.
"Aurora, just divorce him already! That loser, I get angry just seeing him!"
Gregory Hartwell's expression was equally dark.
"Aurora, your mom is right. A man of dubious origins and questionable character has no place in our Hartwell family."
Seeing her parents so adamantly opposed, Aurora realized she could not persuade them at the moment and decided to go back and discuss the matter with Darius Blackwood at length.
Yet, she couldn't help but wonder.
Why had her parents, who were initially hesitant about Christopher White taking over Hartwell Global Enterprises, suddenly become so resolute after just a trip to the restroom?
Could there have been some misunderstanding?
After leaving The Golden Galleon, Darius Blackwood found himself alone in a bar, sitting at the counter.
"General."
Upon seeing him, two men in black suits immediately approached, respectfully handing over a thick file.
"All the information about the Foster Family is here for your review, General."
Darius Blackwood gestured towards the table, "Let's hear it then. What have you found?"
The shorter of the two nodded, "The Foster Family has always seen Isabella Fairfax as a major threat, their cordiality over the years was merely a ruse to exploit her to gain a foothold in Silverpine City."
"Now that BlueOcean Enterprises has gained momentum, Isabella Fairfax has outlived her usefulness. We expect that the Foster Family's eldest son will soon come to Silverpine City to take action against Isabella Fairfax and reclaim the company."
"So, you're saying Isabella Fairfax is in danger?" Darius Blackwood's fingers rhythmically tapped on the table.
"Exactly."
"I understand. I'll keep an eye on her and help out."
Darius Blackwood slowly stood up, "What's the name of this eldest son of the Foster Family?"
"Lucas Foster!"
Darius Blackwood nodded, indicating he had taken note, and was about to leave when the other, a muscular bald man, couldn't hold back his question any longer.
"General, when will you return?"
"We are all waiting for you, and you've been pardoned."
"Why won't you agree to lead the IronVeil again?"
- Writer
