Chapter 81: The Farrell Family in Uproar Again
As Logan's voice fell, the private room became as silent as the grave. Not only were the Reed family shocked, but even the members of the Farrell family were stunned. The first to snap out of it was Jared's uncle, Arthur, who stood up abruptly, his face cold with accusation, "Dad! What are you doing? Such a significant matter as choosing a successor, and you made the decision without consulting us?"
Logan glanced at him and said indifferently, "Consult about what? The Farrell family was built by my own efforts. I decide who will be the successor, and I don't need to consult anyone!" The Farrell family wasn't an age-old lineage; he had started it from scratch, and only he knew the hardships of elevating the Farrell family to the status of the capital's foremost family.
However, ten years ago, the Farrell family had already declined. He had grown old, unable to keep up with the times, and without innovation, which meant that the Farrell family would soon be overtaken by other clans. At his age, he had long since stopped caring about fame and wealth, but he had to keep these things in his grasp. Money was a good thing; it could keep the Farrell family safe and sound.
The people of the Farrell family only saw the present prosperity but failed to see that the family was on a downward path. And when the Farrell family was on the verge of collapse, it was Jared who had revived the company. Everyone knew Jared as a cripple, a good-for-nothing, but they did not realize that he was a genius! Logan had decided long ago that Jared would be his successor. Jared had to feign disability for some reason, to avoid drawing attention to himself. Now, with Jared openly declaring that his legs were 'healed,' it meant that the things he had been planning in secret could now proceed normally. So, it was time to hand over the Farrell family to Jared.
"Dad, that's not right!" Another one of Jared's uncles, Alexander, stood up, his face unhappy, "It's true that you built the Farrell family, but over the years, us brothers have all worked hard for the company. Even if you want to choose a successor, it shouldn't be Jared. There are still sons of our generation, and you're letting a grandson take over. What kind of sense does that make?"
The rest of the Farrell family echoed, "Exactly, how can a successor be decided so casually? With such a large family, how can we not think it through? Are you joking with the entire family?"
"Jared is unambitious and uneducated, a well-known good-for-nothing. You want him to take over the family business, it's like you want to destroy the family!"
"If you really do this, then we will divide the family."
The Farrell family members were angrier than the next.
Jared's parents, Asher and Marie, said nothing. They couldn't say anything. This matter favored their family, and if they spoke up, their siblings would accuse them of harboring ulterior motives.
The Reed family, under such circumstances, could not speak out either. However, everyone's thoughts were plainly written on their faces, especially Amber. Her fair and delicate face was full of unwillingness! If she had known Jared's legs would heal, if she had known he would be the Farrell family's successor, she would not have let Jared go to Tina.
That was the Farrell family's successor! If she had married Jared, she would have the right to manage the household; everyone would have to fawn over her. But she had let such a magnificent opportunity slip to Tina. Now, her heart ached with regret. She was determined to win Jared back!
Elizabeth also regretted it deeply. How could she have anticipated such a reversal? Now that Jared was the successor of the Farrell family, Tina would inherit the whole family! All of that should have been for Amber. Although Amber was not her biological child, she was more filial than Tina. If Amber had married Jared, the Reed family's rise to the capital's elite was a matter of time.
"Hmph!" Logan snorted coldly, "Do you think because I'm old, I can't wield a stick anymore, and you dare to threaten me? The decision I make is final, and no one can change it. You want to divide the family, is it? After the engagement is over, let's divide then! Just don't regret it!"
He was truly angry. Today was Jared and Tina's engagement, which should have been a joyous occasion. However, first with the Reed family's incessant quarreling over the dowry and now with the Farrell family's dispute over the successor, he was frustrated. What did it have to do with those people? Tina was Hugo's daughter; how could a father not take his daughter's dowry? The grandmother wanting to seize the dowry, where did that come from? And Jared was his grandson, the Farrell family was his creation; he planned to leave his lifelong enterprise to his most outstanding and beloved grandson. What right did those who lived off the family without contributing have to object? Did they really think he had grown mild-tempered with age?
The Farrell family members wanted to say more, but hearing Logan was serious about dividing the family without a second thought, they shut their mouths tight. It was a joke; who would dare to divide the family? The Farrells were the capital's premier family; if they split off from the Farrell family, they would no longer receive the company's annual dividends, nor would they have the protection of the family name. Who would make such a foolish move?
Yet, acknowledging Jared as the heir was out of the question for them.
Logan swept his cold gaze over the Farrell family members and seeing they had fallen silent, he said sharply, "The engagement has been delayed long enough. I do not want to be held up by trivial matters any longer. If anyone dares to interrupt me again, get out. Reed family, don't think just because I'm old, I can't handle you!"
His aura of authority made everyone much more subdued.
After speaking, Logan approached Hugo and said, "Hugo, $100,000 is according to your customs, and $50 million is our custom. We respect your traditions, and you should respect ours. My granddaughter-in-law deserves a dowry of $50 million."
He said this, his gaze sweeping across everyone again, "I want everyone to know that Tina is my cherished granddaughter-in-law. Whatever Jared has, she shall have as well."
Hugo had wanted to refuse when Logan first mentioned the $50 million dowry, but disputes over the successor had risen among the Farrell family members, and he had found no opportunity to interject.
Now, still wanting to refuse but blocked by Logan's words, he was touched by Logan's affection for Tina. Any previous prejudice against the Farrell family had vanished, but accepting a $50 million dowry felt to him like selling his daughter, a hurdle he couldn't overcome in his heart.
As he hesitated, Tina spoke up, "Mr. Reed, please accept it. This is the Farrell family's sincerity."
After a moment of silence, Hugo finally nodded, "Alright, Logan. I will accept this $50 million dowry. However, when they get married, I will still give this money to Tina to take back with her."
Logan didn't say more. Courtesies aside, they were meaningless.
Marie, who already had little fondness for Tina, listening to Tina actively asking for the $50 million, had an even worse impression of her. However, with Logan in a bad mood now, she couldn't say much. But to find Jared a new wife, she was determined to do so.