Chapter 91: Competing for the Crown
Jasper hadn’t had the chance to tell Harvey about any of this. “We’ll talk about the shares later,” he said. “But as for the Director position…”
Even Jasper was puzzled. He had made it clear to Summer that she could have the Director’s seat only if she secured Marc Gerbers. But now… His gaze slowly turned toward Summer.
“Summer,” he asked, his voice laced with doubt, “don’t tell me you’ve closed the deal with Marc Gerbers? They’ve agreed to move into Stewart Mall?”
Summer arched a brow, the corners of her lips lifting ever so slightly. With a flick of her wrist, she tossed the contract onto the table. “That’s right. Now, Father, it’s time for you to keep your promise.”
Jasper knew better than anyone just how difficult it was to win over Marc Gerbers. Even when he had sent his most trusted people to request a meeting, the brand’s principal, Martin Michaux, had refused to even open the door. Letting Summer try had only been his Plan A. But this… this was no small matter for Stewart Group. Securing Marc Gerbers’ partnership was a critical step in reforming the entire Stewart Group. So, Jasper had a Plan B as well.
Who would have thought, in just a matter of days, Summer had secured the deal? Good. Very good. She truly was his daughter. In that instant, Jasper’s face bloomed with a smile, radiant as spring flowers. Without hesitation, he reached for the phone and dialed the internal line to the PR department.
“Release the announcement immediately,” he ordered. “Tell everyone that Stewart Group is welcoming Marc Gerbers to our mall. I want the entire Havenbrook to know that it was the Stewart Mall who brought Marc Gerbers in.”
Jasper only turned back to Harvey after the call. “Harvey, your sister has delivered an outstanding achievement for Stewart Group. That’s why I’ve decided to honor my word and promote her.”
Harvey’s eyes were bloodshot as he glared at Summer, his gaze sharp as knives. “I don’t agree!”
Summer tugged at the corner of her lips, letting out a mocking laugh. “Harvey, the world of adults doesn’t revolve around you. It doesn’t mean anything whether you agree with it or not.”
Her words made Harvey’s neck stiffen in fury, veins bulging as his face flushed scarlet. “Finished? You’ve got the nerve and are so ambitious to want shares? And you even dare to fight for the Director’s seat!”
Once upon a time, such words would have stabbed Summer straight through the heart. Now? She only found them laughable. Harvey had not changed one bit. He had always treated her like an enemy.
When she first came back to the Stewart family, she had been thrilled to learn she had an older brother. In dramas, big brothers always protected their little sisters. And Harvey? Oh, he protected someone all right. He protected Margaret. To him, Summer had always been an invader, someone who didn’t belong. He harbored nothing but hostility.
She remembered once, she and Margaret had argued over an item that was clearly Summer’s, but Margaret had taken a liking to it. When Summer refused to hand it over, Margaret had burst into tears. Harvey had immediately rushed over to shield Margaret, glaring at Summer like he wished he could kill her. Without hesitation, he had used his strength to shove her violently to the ground. The scar on Summer’s back now was carried from that day. Summer’s gaze turned cold at the memory.
“Ambitious,” she said evenly, “isn’t an insult. It just means I have the ability to back it up. Doesn’t it?” She took a slow step forward, her voice cutting like a blade. “You were out expanding Stewart Group’s business these past two years, sure. But as far as I know, you spent just as much time in every bar in the city. And wasn’t there someone named Milly? A hostess who clung to you, crying for you to take responsibility?”
For a split second, shock flashed in Harvey’s eyes. How did she know about Milly? Before he came back to Havenbrook, he had already given Milly hush money to pay for her abortion and made sure she disappeared. Summer investigated him?
A storm brewed in Harvey’s gaze, the veins on his forehead standing out like ropes. His eyes reddened with rage, burning with humiliation and fury. “Summer, stop spouting nonsense!” he roared. He turned abruptly to their father. “Father! Look at her! She’s completely out of control! She already has thirty percent of the shares – Stewart Group will fall straight into her hands if you die!”
Jasper’s expression darkened in an instant. He was not dead yet, and his son was already cursing him to the grave. His voice was sharp, slicing through the tension like a blade. “I’m not dead yet, and here you are, fighting in front of me like vultures. If I really were gone, the Stewart…”
Summer, however, met his glare head-on, her expression calm and unyielding.
Jasper sank into thought. With Summer and Harvey now holding the same position, it was inevitable they would refuse to back down to each other. Why not let them compete? Let the snipe and the clam fight it out, then I, the fisherman, would reap the benefit.
“Harvey,” Jasper said slowly, “if you’re unconvinced, then compete with your sister. The two of you hold equal positions, after all. Over the next quarter, I’ll be watching both of your performances closely. Whoever manages their mall better and brings in the best numbers will get the vice president seat.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, Summer and Harvey both fell into silent calculation. Jasper saw the shift in their eyes and allowed himself a small, satisfied nod. The simmering anger that had clouded his chest finally eased a little. At least they were listening now. He picked up the teacup in front of him and took a slow, measured sip.