SWNOVELS Chapter 26
Chapter 26
Amidst the conversation, even their wives and sons were consumed by their own thoughts. Jane, who harbored feelings for Andrew, couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of jealousy towards Matilda. "I Sandra becomes the wife of the head of the richest family in City A, won't Matilda mock her?" The thought of that scenario was unbearable for Jane, and she was determined not to let it happen.
Jane turned to old man Smith, her father, and implored him, "Dad, we need clarity on whether the investigator's words are true. We can't continue living in uncertainty. If it turns out to be true, we must find a way to separate that undeserving Sandra from Levy." Little did she know that even Levy himself might find it challenging to distance himself from Sandra if she had a genuine interest in him.
"Why does everything seem to favor Matilda and her daughter?" Jane questioned in frustration. "She's just a poor orphan with no significant family background. What makes her daughter more deserving than mine?"
George interjected, curious and somewhat defensive. "Who said that the Anthony family was poor or that Levy Anthony was unattractive? Mom, I thought you don't want our daughter to have a good life." Richard interjected, reminding George, "Don't forget that she's engaged to marry the son of the Jackson family."
George hesitated for a moment before responding, realizing the complexities of the situation.
"whose is not engaged eeh".
Engulfed in their own greed and animosity, the Smith family continued to hurl insults at each other, oblivious to the presence of the Jackson and Eza families who observed their deplorable behavior. Even the investigator was taken aback by the depths of their avarice.
Noticing the discomfort among the Jackson family members, Stellah, with a heavy heart, couldn't bear the situation any longer. She gathered the courage to interject, pleading with her father and uncle, "Dad, Uncle, please stop this. I love my fiancé, and the wealth or status of the Anthony family means nothing to me. Whether Levy Anthony is rich or poor, handsome or ugly, it doesn't matter." Despite her words, Stellah's heart was filled with sorrow and anguish, but she tried her best to conceal her true feelings.
Upon hearing Stellah's heartfelt declaration, Mark's happiness soared. He was overjoyed to realize that Stellah truly cared for him and not just the wealth associated with his family. When they returned home, Mark excitedly informed his family to expedite the wedding preparations.
However, Mark's parents cautioned him about the true nature of the Smith family, urging him to reconsider his decision before it was too late. They expressed their belief that Stellah and her family were driven solely by the Jackson family's power and wealth, devoid of any genuine feelings.
Meanwhile, old man Smith redirected the conversation towards a different topic. He turned to the investigator and inquired, "Who are the individuals behind the SAS Group? It was a company on the verge of bankruptcy, but now it has emerged as the leading company in City A, expanding its influence nationally and internationally. I've also heard rumors about their upcoming collaboration with S&S Group, the largest company in Country N. Reaching this level of success is no ordinary feat."
The room fell silent, awaiting the investigator's response, as they all sought to unravel the mysteries surrounding the SAS Group and its remarkable rise to prominence.
The investigator revealed that the individuals behind the SAS Group were equally enigmatic. The CEO had never made a public appearance, and only a select few, including a personal assistant and a handful of board members, knew his identity. Astonishingly, he owned over eighty percent of the company's shares, adding to the intrigue surrounding the organization.
Old man Smith felt a deep pang of pain in his heart as the investigator spoke about the SAS Group's CEO, though he couldn't explain why. He decided to let the feeling pass, but he couldn't shake off the sense that something significant was looming on the horizon-a foreboding that left him unsettled.
After the investigator departed, the Jackson and Eza families bid their farewells as well. They couldn't quite put their finger on it, but they sensed that being entangled with the Smith family might lead to unfavorable consequences. Despite their unease, they chose to leave matters as they were.
Once they were gone, old man Smith's countenance changed, and he rebuked his sons with disdain. "What were you thinking? Losing face in front of your in-laws! We haven't even confirmed the truth of the investigator's claims, and you've already lost control and fought like senseless individuals. Who's to say that Andrew will allow his daughter to divorce Levy if it's true? Or if Sandra would even consider it? I expected better from you. That's why your brother Andrew will always be superior to you. He knows when to speak, what to speak, and where to speak."
Richard and George felt a cold shiver run down their spines upon hearing their father's words. They looked at each other, realizing the magnitude of their mistake, and promptly apologized for their behavior.
Stacey, known for speaking her mind, interjected, "Will that change the fact that you made me lose face in front of my boyfriend and his family? Uncle, if my boyfriend dumps me because of today, I will ensure that your daughter suffers the same fate with her fiancé."
With that, she stormed off to her room. Stellah, overhearing Stacey's words, was taken aback by her cousin's jealousy. Stellah had always sensed Stacey's envy towards her fiancé, and she recalled Stacey's attempts to seduce him in the past. She couldn't help but feel a sense of amusement, knowing that she would make Stacey regret harboring such thoughts about her partner. Stellah forgave her once, but now she was determined to make her regret becoming her adversary.
Stacey's mother, Jane, chimed in, "If my daughter loses her man, I will make sure all of you pay for it." Her words rang hollow, given that she had moments earlier wanted to separate Sandra and Levy.
The old man interrupted, "Enough! No more tearing each other apart. We are all family. We will apologize to the Jackson and Eza families, and from now on, this will be the last time you act foolishly in front of others. Let us await further information from the investigator."