Chapter 354: The Spark Beneath the Ashes
Hearing what Samuel said, Emelia, who had been making tea nearby, accidentally spilled hot water on her hand. Martin glanced at her but didn’t say anything. When he looked up, he caught sight of Morgan tiptoeing toward the front door.
“Morgan,” he called out coldly. “Where are you going?”
Morgan flinched. She turned around and lowered her head. “Grandpa… I made plans to go shopping with a friend.”
“Go back to your room,” Martin said sternly.
Morgan stomped her foot. “Grandpa! Why are you being like this? Ever since that woman, Summer, got hurt in our house, you’ve had the maids keep watch over me. I haven’t even stepped outside my room. It’s not like it was my fault! The maid acted on her own – she was just trying to teach Summer a lesson. What does that have to do with me?”
Martin’s expression darkened. Emelia stepped forward and knelt beside his chair. “Dad, don’t be angry. Morgan’s still young. Keeping her locked in her room all day is too much.”
She turned to Morgan. “Go on, just come back early, alright? Don’t give your grandfather more reason to worry.”
Seeing that Martin didn’t object, Morgan knew she had the green light. She stuck out her tongue, then ran off quickly. Soon after, the roar of a luxury sports car engine echoed from the driveway.
Emelia handed Martin a freshly poured cup of tea. “Dad, I know you’re furious about all this. I’ve already scolded Morgan. She knows she was wrong.”
“That maid basically raised Morgan. She was like a second mother to her. Her heart might’ve been in the right place – she just didn’t understand what it meant to mess with the Graham family. But now that she’s dead, talking about it won’t change anything. We should focus on how the Harper family is going to weather this storm.”
Martin took the tea and sipped it. Emelia was right. The maid was gone, and the Harper family had already apologized and paid a price. But Fraser had no regard for past ties. Martin had no choice but to take this seriously.
“I know the Graham Group’s consortium meeting is coming up,” he said. “Their shareholders aren’t exactly unified. Some of them want Fraser out. Samuel, I want you and Cedar to go see August and Sharon from the Lawson family. Tell them Granthera Bank is willing to lend a hand.”
Martin gave him a look. “Fraser locked Helen up for the sake of that woman. August and Sharon have already been stirring up the shareholders to create chaos at the meeting. They came to me before – I ignored them. But this time, Fraser went too far. He’s completely disrespected me. So now I have no choice but to push back.”
“If we can get Fraser ousted at the consortium meeting, the Harper family won’t need to fear him anymore. We might even be able to win back the Norwyn District investment deal.”
Cedar’s frown finally eased. He gave Martin a thumbs-up. “Dad, you’re still the sharpest of us all. Samuel and I will get it right away.”
Martin gave them a warning. “Keep this quiet. Fraser didn’t rise to the top of the Graham Group in just a few years for nothing. If this backfires and the meeting doesn’t go our way, it’ll have nothing to do with the Harper family.”
Samuel and Cedar nodded. “Don’t worry, Dad. We’ll handle it discreetly.”
Martin let out a long sigh. My old friend… I didn’t want to do this. But it was your grandson Fraser who struck first. So don’t blame me.
Meanwhile, Morgan arrived at Havenbrook’s famous Saint Beauty Spa – a place frequented by celebrities and elite socialites. Each VIP guest had a private room and dedicated beautician. Morgan stepped into one of the VIP suites to find Sasha and Liliah already there.
The studio was nearly a thousand square feet, complete with a soaking tub, full-body treatment area, hair station, and a cozy lounge. Morgan strolled in, tossed her Hermes bag onto the table without a care, and sank into the couch, crossing her legs with her bright red three-inch heels glinting in the light. She pulled out a box of cigarettes from her bag, lit one, took a long drag, and exhaled slowly.
Sasha and Liliah didn’t look nearly as composed. Both had clearly been on edge. Liliah slumped on the couch with a sigh. “I haven’t been sleeping well. Every time I close my eyes, I keep seeing the way Bossman looked like he was ready to kill someone.”
Sasha, with dark circles under her eyes, added, “Same here. I swear I’m on the edge of a mental breakdown.”
Morgan tapped her cigarette against the ashtray, annoyed. “You two cowards! Let me make this clear – don’t let anything slip. If either of you says a word, I won’t let you off the hook.”