Chapter 274: The Darling
Reese had never desired to cross swords with Grandpa Flynn. She respected Finn Sawyer as her elder and wished to maintain a harmonious relationship, but that didn’t mean she would silently endure all things. Particularly Finn’s recent remarks – they bore the weight of both a warning and a reminder. Her countenance, serene just moments before, swiftly turned frosty as she responded with a quiet, dignified retort.“1 have no intention of stirring trouble without cause, but I expect the same courtesy. As for the Sawyer heiress, she needs to comprehend who Malcolm’s wife truly is. Does Grandpa believe I should merely stand by as my husband is nearly whisked away?” Reese was not one to idly sit by and let things unfold. Regardless of her emotional attachment to Malcolm, they were bound by the law of marriage. And if they were husband and wife, he was her man. When others tried to claim what was rightfully hers, was she not justified in stepping in?Finn Sawyer had assumed that Reese would merely listen and let things be. He was caught off guard when she retorted, leaving him with a sensation akin to having something lodged in his throat – uncomfortable and at a loss for words.Reese didn’t afford Finn Sawyer the opportunity to counter. She knew the emotional considerations required when dealing with the elderly. With a slight curve of her lips, she regained her usual composed demeanor.“Grandpa, I must be off to work now.“It was only after Reese had vanished into the distance that Finn Sawyer snapped back to reality, his aged face trembling with suppressed rage. Jason, who had been standing nearby, grimaced at the palpable tension.Finn Sawyer slammed his cane onto the ground in frustration, gasping for breath, “That girl is becoming increasingly audacious!“Jason let out a sigh, “Boss, it seems we may have underestimated Mrs. Flynn from the beginning. She’s like an elusive trickster – no one seems capable of keeping her in check.“Finn Sawyer rued ever consenting to the marriage. He wished he could chastise himself for not discerning Reese’s true nature sooner. Had he known, he would have preferred Dahlia Brooks to join the family – she would have been easier to manage. His expectations for a granddaughter–in–law were simple; obedience and sweetness. But Reese? She was a prickly thorn; anyone who dared to cross her path ended up in serious trouble.“Now what? Find another – suitable match for Malcolm, and fast! I need a better bride before Reese absconds with him. And another thing, who’s undermining
Sawyer Enterprises? It’s a sturdy business; it can’t just crumble overnight. There must be someone pulling the strings. “Jason replied, “About that… we don’t need to investigate. The old man himself sabotaged it, even leaked the story to the media. Now, all the dirty laundry about Miss Shirley is out in the open, and Sawyer Enterprises is in complete disarray.“Finn Sawyer’s expression darkened as he asked sternly, “What’s this? Why would Sawyer Enterprises provoke him?” “Actually, it’s because their heiress had a run–in with Mrs. Flynn at Emerald Isle and there were some nasty rumors about Mrs. Flynn out there, spread by the Sawyer girl herself. Seems like the boss did this to get some payback for Mrs. Flynn.” “Absurd! It’s madness! Has he lost his mind over this woman? Despite years of our families‘ good relations, he chose to wield his power for her and bring Sawyer Enterprises to its knees over some vendetta – dammit!“Jason, for his part, thought Malcolm might have stirred up quite the storm this time, but given his fondness for Reese, it somehow didn’t seem excessive. After all, they hadn’t yet seen the half of what he was capable of when pushed.“Look, sir, what can we actually do? You know how stubborn the boss can be. If he doesn’t budge, we’re all at a dead end,” the assistant lamented, the frustration evident in his voice. It had always been this way, and now that his health had improved, not to mention his tight grip on the economic lifeline of Flynn Enterprises, the situation was even more delicate.If it really came down to a head–to- head with Grandpa Flynn, no one could be sure who’d come out on top.Finn Sawyer was at his wit’s end, standing there fuming, glaring, and puffing like an old steam engine.“What am I suppose to do?” Finn groaned, his vexation palpable.Quick–thinking as always, Jason chimed in, “Grandpa Flynn, should we dig into Mrs. Flynn’s past? I have a hunch that she’s not as straightforward as she seems. She might have other identities under wraps.“There must be a reason for that kind of audacity.While he was certain that Reese was no ordinary person, the specifics eluded him. With his current means, he likely couldn’t uncover the truth; it was time to leverage Grandpa Flynn’s influence. Finn Sawyer’s curiosity about Reese was deepening by the day. He prided himself on being a sharp judge of character and had never encountered someone so unorthodox.To be haughty, one needed the skills to back it up, but she was an enigma.Yet, she didn’t come off as boastful, and, after all, she had managed to heal her own grandson. Moreover, the grand gift she presented him for his birthday, bizarre as its provenance might have been, was undeniably authentic.After careful consideration, he nodded earnestly, “Go ahead and have someone look into it. If there’s any dubious identity, a perso cannot remain within the Flynn family.“The Flynn family couldn’t afford the risk of harboring a ticking time bomb. Jas.. heart leaped with joy at those words. He’d been brooding over how to discreetly investigate Reese. But now, with Finn Sawyer’s vast network at his disposal, all he needed to do was set the wheels in motion. “I’ll get on it right away,” Jason stated firmly. “Good. Make sure you get the full picture,” Finn directed.Meanwhile, Reese arrived at the office, utterly unaware that Jason had already set the investigation into motion through Finn Sawyer. At noon, Reese was preparing to step out for lunch, planning to finish a report that afternoon to send off to Calvin. The robotic project Malcolm introduced was now in motion, and she was keen on conducting a thorough research. The prospective profits were substantial, and she had no intention of letting the opportunity slip away.She had just settled in her seat at a local diner and ordered her meal, when suddenly, a tap on the shoulder caused her to swivel around instinctively.Seeing Everhart gaze at her with a smile that held a hint of spookiness in his eyes, Reese felt uneasy. Even though he was laughing, it seemed to her that his eyes were hiding too much.
⚫ that
The tranquility that once graced her features disintegrated effortlessly into a mask of undisguised indifference, a clear signal that she had no intention of playing the congenial hostess. “Is there something on your mind?” Without waiting for a formal invitation, Everhart unceremoniously claimed the seat opposite Reese. Reese shot him a frosty glance, her eyebrow arching in silent reproach. “Did I give you permission to sit?” Everhart, entirely unfazed and even more at ease, reclined in his chair, the epitome of nonchalance. Reese’s frown deepened, her disdain for his blatant lack of self–awareness escalating with each passing second. Her
1/2
Chapter 274: The Darling
voice was laced with a warning undertone, “Everhart, are you incapable of comprehending simple English? ‘Patience, my dear. I
have news to share with you today, something I believe you might find valuable passo crossed her long legs and folded her arms, a
sarcastic chuckle escaping her lips. Ensure you’ve thought this through because if I deem this information worthless, don’t hold me accountable for my reaction. I’m not the same Reese you once knew she was more than capable of giving as good as she got, without a moment’s hesitation. Everhart’s demeanor remained as affable as ever, his interest in Reese only growing. “Darling, do you know what I find most appealing about you? It’s your audacious condence; no one seems to outsmart you.” Not every woman possesses such a trait. Reese might appear unapproachable Initially, but once you get to know her, you realize she’s quite captivating and leaves an indelible impression. That’s why, after all these years, he still holds a special place in his heart. Strangely enough, the more he encounters other women, the less appealing they become, further solidifying his belief that his darling is the one who truly captivates him. The thought of such a beautiful flower being picked by that Malcolm is disconcerting. Especially when the love and tenderness she once reserved for him have now been redirected to another. Just then, the waiter approached with the menus, “Who’s ordering?” “I am. He doesn’t need anything,” Reese retorted, devoid of any semblance of courtesy. Everhart chuckled, “Darling, you’re as obstinate as ever.” It’s that distinctive trait of hers that he can’t seem to forget. If she clung to him like other women, he would probably find it irritating. Reese was teetering on the edge of violence, her voice laced with a sharp edge. “Don’t call me darling; it’s nauseating.”
