“Jasper, I’ll send it to you. You’ll understand once you see it,” Carolyn said worriedly. “I’m afraid my father-in-law might be influenced by Tyrell. Tyrell doesn’t have a good reputation… If it affects the entire Mcguire Group, it would be disastrous.”
“Carolyn, don’t worry. I’ll keep an eye on Tyrell’s recent activities. He is mainly focused on making money, so he shouldn’t cause any major trouble,” Jasper reassured her with a half-joking tone.
Carolyn was amused by his comment. “This is serious, don’t joke around. How are Evie and Mom getting along? The relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law can be tricky-”
Before she could finish, Jasper interrupted, “You worry too much. Mom likes Evie and adores Jaime. Even if Evie doesn’t have children in the next few years, having a son is great. It’s fine even if we never have our own children.”
“Alright then, it’s your business. I’m just concerned about Mom’s temper,” Carolyn finally felt relieved as long as Mrs. Howlett didn’t pick on Evie.
“If there’s nothing else, I need to go out for hotpot,” Jasper said with a relaxed smile. “We’ll talk when the family gets together. There’s just too much going on right now.”
“Alright, go eat.”
After ending the call with his sister, Jasper went to the restaurant.
All the dishes were served, and the aroma of the hotpot filled the restaurant, making the spicy butter hotpot very enticing.
As soon as he sat down, he received a photo from Carolyn.
It was a photo of an unfamiliar man, very handsome but with an inexplicable eerie look in his eyes.
He looked like a snake lurking in the shadows, ready to strike at any moment.
Jasper saved the photo, planning to investigate the man’s background thoroughly.
“There’s nothing better than hotpot in winter,” Mrs. Howlett said as she handed out the dipping sauces and sat down with her utensils.
“I never thought our family could be this harmonious,” Geoff said with a smile. “Last year, Jasper was still resenting me.”
He looked at Jasper curiously, “Why don’t you hate me anymore?”
“Maybe I’ve grown up,” Jasper replied simply, raising his glass to toast Geoff. “Uncle, here’s to you.”
“I wouldn’t have remained single forever after your father’s death; I would have remarried eventually. So, Jasper, you shouldn’t have hated your uncle all these years. Besides… your uncle-”
“Honey, no need to say more,” Geoff interrupted Mrs. Howlett, patting her hand and shaking his head. “As long as Jasper can get along with me peacefully like now, I’m satisfied.”
“But…” Mrs. Howlett’s eyes showed a hint of sadness and worry. Geoff smiled gently, “As long as our family is well, that’s all that matters. Now that we have a grandson, we should focus on raising him well and not talk about other things.”
“Alright then,” Mrs. Howlett reluctantly placed some lamb slices on Jaime’s plate. “Jaime, you’re growing; eat more.”
“Thank you, Grandma,” Jaime responded obediently and started eating. He knew he couldn’t join the adults’ conversation and focused on his food.
Evie remained silent too; she felt it wasn’t appropriate to say anything in this situation.
So she and Jaime concentrated on eating hotpot, trying to ease the strange atmosphere by devouring the food.
“Let’s not talk about this anymore; let’s eat,” Jasper sighed. “Uncle is right; as long as our family is well, that’s all that matters.”
He poured another glass of wine for Geoff and himself.
In the cold winter, eating steaming hotpot with family laughter made it seem like there were no worries at all.
In a secluded mansion in the outskirts of Urgford, the night was eerily quiet.
The moon hung high in the sky, and from deep within the forest came occasional roars of wild beasts or the chirping of insects.
The mansion was bathed in darkness, its lights making it look like a beast ready to pounce, exuding an eerie vibe.
The grand hall on the first floor was lavishly decorated with bright crystal chandeliers and European-style leather sofas, adding to its opulence.
A middle-aged man sat on one side of the sofa, holding a black cat in his arms. He gently stroked its back with a sinister smile. “EMPEROR, what do you think of this batch of Vinegar Fire?”
EMPEROR glanced at Tyrell’s disgusting face with indifference.
“It’s acceptable. Make sure you continue producing more Vinegar Fire; there’s high demand in the red-light district. We’re all in it for the money.”
“Don’t worry, EMPEROR. You’ve been in Urgford for a while now but haven’t had a chance to experience its culture. Shall I show you around?” Tyrell asked obsequiously.
“No need. I’m quite familiar with Urgford,” EMPEROR coldly interrupted him.
He was handsome but had a cold and slightly effeminate look in his eyes.
Over the past year, his EMPEROR Green Gang had infiltrated the entire red-light district, making more money than ever. But every quiet night reminded him of his tragic past and his most painful moments.
Tyrell had once been a pawn of the ZZ organization. After Franklin returned to President Aettosa’s side and the president learned of Tyrell’s actions against Franklin, ZZ organization abandoned Tyrell.
Without ZZ organization’s protection, Tyrell sought new partners.
EMPEROR’s Green Gang needed Tyrell’s research lab… so they formed an alliance.
Tyrell provided research on Vinegar Fire while EMPEROR handled sales in the red-light district.
With Franklin gone from H Rovirsa to Aettosa, EMPEROR felt safer staying in H Rovirsa. No one would suspect that the feared EMPEROR from the red-light district was hiding in Urgford.
Thinking about this made EMPEROR smile again.
Seeing him smile, Tyrell quickly flattered him again. “EMPEROR, you’re always alone without a woman by your side. My daughter Gabriela is young and beautiful; how about-”
Offering EMPEROR a woman would surely bring him more benefits.
“Mr. Maskelyne, do you think I don’t know your background? Didn’t your daughters die long ago? And now there’s another daughter?” EMPEROR mocked Tyrell with a glance.
Tyrell’s face stiffened but quickly recovered with a laugh. “Goddaughter… she’s my goddaughter…”
He signaled his subordinate with a glance, who promptly left.
After a while, he returned with a young and beautiful woman. “Sir, Miss Gabriela is here.”
Gabriela was stunningly beautiful with an alluring figure that could make any man dream.
She wore revealing clothes with a deep V-neck and high-slit skirt that showed off her long legs as she walked seductively towards EMPEROR. “EMPEROR…”
Her sweet voice could melt anyone’s heart.
“Sorry, I have someone in my heart and no interest in other women,” EMPEROR said as he recalled the figure always busy with accounts-someone extremely skilled in finance who had helped him pull off shocking financial scams.
He also thought of the useless man always lying in bed-her nominal husband and his uncle!
What a joke.
But now… she had gone to heaven with their child.
Every time he thought of this fact, EMPEROR’s heart ached deeply.
Left alone in this hellish world, he could only become a demon seeking revenge and slaughter.
All thanks to Sylvia and Franklin!
One day he would avenge his child and woman!
Hatred filled EMPEROR’s eyes.
Sensing his change in demeanor, Tyrell quickly signaled Gabriela to retreat. Reluctantly, she sat beside Tyrell. “Godfather-”
“EMPEROR is quite the romantic. Gabriela, don’t be upset; being friends with him is good too,” Tyrell said with a fake smile.
“I understand,” Gabriela replied without showing disappointment and smiled brightly at EMPEROR. “I don’t have many friends; would you mind being friends?”
“I have plenty of friends,” EMPEROR said indifferently as he rubbed his temples. “I’m tired; I’ll rest now.”
“Alright then… it’s late anyway. Would you like some supper before resting? Gabriela is quite skilled,” Tyrell suggested eagerly.
“No need; I’m not hungry.” EMPEROR stood up, his tall figure wrapped in black clothes making him look even more imposing.
Gabriela admired his nearly perfect physique and thought serving such a man was much better than serving an old man.
But he didn’t even glance at her as he turned to leave.
Watching EMPEROR’s back, Tyrell told Gabriela, “Don’t give up; capturing this man will bring you endless wealth.”
“Don’t worry; I won’t give up,” Gabriela replied with a seductive smile, confident in her skills to please men.