Chapter 92: Marc Gerbers: The Turning Point
“Enough of this,” Jasper said at last. “Let’s talk about something pleasant. Next week is Summer’s and Margaret’s birthday. It’s rare for Harvey to be home as well. I expect the Stewart family to be harmonious for once.”
The news that Marc Gerbers was officially moving into Stewart Malls swept across Havenbrook like wildfire. Everyone was stunned. How had the Stewart Group pulled this off, and so quietly? What had they done to earn this? What on earth had possessed Marc Gerbers’s principal to agree to such a deal?
No one was more shocked than the Smith Group. Inside the chairman’s office, Diana sat rigid in the chair of authority, her expression unreadable. Bryson stood nearby, hesitating, stealing a glance in her direction as if weighing whether to speak. Diana’s money and resources were the reasons Bryson was able to build wonders when starting Smith Group.
Over the years, Diana had earned her reputation: ruthless, controlling, uncompromising. Though Bryson held the title of chairman of the Smith Group, everyone in the company knew exactly who held the real power. It was Diana.
After the subordinate finished his report, Bryson waved him away with a flick of his hand. He stood still for a moment, watching his wife lost in thought, then cautiously stepped forward. Placing a tentative hand on Diana’s shoulder, Bryson softened his voice, comforting her as if afraid to provoke a storm. “Diana, things in the business world are always unpredictable. This time, it’s Marc Gerbers who lacked vision. They didn’t choose us, Smith family, but it’s fine; there’s always next time…”
Diana’s sharp voice cut him off. “Next time? You think there’s going to be a next time?!” She shook his hand off her shoulder, rising to her feet with a cold, sweeping glance toward Bryson, her eyes dark and icy. “This is the repayment I get for giving your bastard daughter, Peyton, a chance? You insisted she had Trevor behind her, that he was her powerful backer. You begged me to give her a shot, and I, out of rare mercy, agreed to listen to you. And what happened? That little slut is useless! Marc Gerber still ended up with the Smith Group.”
Bryson felt cold sweat trickle down his back. He truly hadn't expected Peyton to fail. After all, he had heard plenty about Trevor’s favoritism toward her over the past two years. The man had even gone so far as to arrange a heart transplant for her not long ago—something he, as her biological father, had not even done. Men. They were all the same.
Bryson had been certain Trevor was head over heels for Peyton. But in the end, out of nowhere, the Graham Group stepped in, seized the Marc Gerber partnership, and handed it neatly to the Smith Group. Bryson lowered his voice even further, trying his best to pacify Diana’s fury. The whole plan was overturned. It wasn’t something Peyton could control.
“No? Then I’ll blame it on you.” Diana’s gaze was cold as frost. How did it turn into my fault again? Bryson felt a chill shoot down his spine. But he did not dare to speak. To argue with Diana when she was furious was purely suicidal.
Diana’s expression darkened as she sank back into thought. “Why would Fraser get involved in this?” she murmured. First, the Graham Group had invested eighty billion dollars into the Smith Group. And now, they had gifted them this golden opportunity with Marc Gerber. It seemed like this all traced back to Summer, the true daughter of the Smith family, who had been found and brought home after twenty years. A man would not go out of his way to help a woman for no reason. It looked like she needed to have a proper chat with Madam Graham.
Diana grabbed her Hermès bag with an icy expression, ready to leave. “Where are you going, darling?” Bryson hurried after her, his tone laced with unease. Diana shot him a sidelong glance, sharp as a blade. “Don’t worry about me. I need to vent my anger properly right now. Otherwise, you can spend the night kneeling at the door.”
Meanwhile, Peyton had also caught wind of the news that Marc Gerber was moving into Smith Group’s mall. Just last time, she had snapped a few photos of Summer and Fraser together and sent them straight to Trevor. But he never replied. Afterward, she sent a flurry of carefully worded messages, pretending to comfort him, acting considerate and gentle. Still, silence.
Peyton thought Trevor would turn cold toward Summer because of this. But still, he had helped Summer anyway. Even after catching her ‘cheating,’ he still chose to help that woman. What did Summer have that I didn’t?! Why was Trevor so obsessed with her?!
Peyton’s chest heaved with fury, rage bubbling hot beneath her skin. She felt like she could not even breathe. She could not stop herself. She had to confront Trevor. She had to ask him why.
Peyton had barely stepped out the door, and she found herself face-to-face with Diana, who stood waiting in the doorway, radiating cold fury. Behind her were two tall, broad-shouldered bodyguards. Peyton frowned, a flicker of guilt flashing in her heart. “What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice tight.
Before she could react, Diana raised her hand and delivered a slap to her face. Quick. Sharp. Merciless.
Diana let out a cold snort. “What am I doing here? I thought you had some real ability. Thought maybe you could win something for the Smith family. But it turns out, the daughter of a mistress is worse than a worm. You really disappointed me.”