Howard scoffed. “So what if I am? Dare you do anything to me?”
There were tons of people who couldn’t stand how arrogant Howard was, but none of them actually dared to provoke him because of his grandfather. Anyone who dared to offend Howard was doomed to have his family torn apart. No one would dare to risk that. Tyler had what it took to occasionally teach Howard a lesson, but even he didn’t dare to really do much to Howard.
A storm was brewing in Tyler’s eyes, and a muscle twitched at his jawline. His lips were pursed as he looked coldly at Howard. “Try it. See if I manage to cripple you.”
Howard tilted his head up and laughed loudly. “Tyler, oh Tyler! How should I say this? You’re the only one in Yurelia City I actually respect. None of the other fools are fit to even talk to me.”
His haughty laughter rang in the air, a confident declaration that no one in this world dared to lay a finger on him. The thought sent fear shooting through Rachel’s veins. With such a strong backer, the kind of power and influence that Howard had over Yurelia City was so absolute. It enabled him to do anything he pleased. She wasn’t sure if Tyler would really be willing to pit himself against Howard for her sake. For someone as wealthy and powerful as Tyler, this didn’t just concern him as an individual, but also two entire families. No successful man in this world would be willing to risk his all for the sake of one woman. Rachel wouldn’t even blame Tyler even if he eventually decided to give up. One couldn’t just live for oneself, but also for one’s family. Rachel didn’t want to put Tyler in a difficult spot and decided to stand up for herself and reject Howard.
“Howard Ziegler, quit wasting your time here. I’ll never agree to marrying you. You might think all is fine and dandy as long as you strike an agreement with the Lloyds, but I’m in charge when it comes to decisions concerning my life! I said that I won’t marry you, and I won’t. No one can change my mind.”
Chapter 515
Sasha tried to talk Rachel out of it. “Rachel, your grandpa is doing this for your own good! Will you only let this rest if he dies right before you?”
Rachel pursed her lips. She was resolute about never marrying Howard. Over her dead body would she ever let that happen! However, she didn’t have the guts to live with the guilt of causing someone else’s death over a decision she made. It would be too heavy a burden for her to take on. She looked at Gerald, her eyes red with unshed tears.
“I really don’t understand this. No matter what, I’m still a daughter of the family. Even if Dad and Mom didn’t actually give birth to me, the blood of the Lloyd family flows in my veins. Why do you not treat me as family at all? Instead, you treat me as a pawn, making me do your bidding when you need me and claiming that I’m not fit to be a part of the family when you don’t. If that’s the case, I might as well cut off all ties with the family!”
Rachel’s voice was a pitch higher as she announced her decision unflinchingly. She had made up her mind.
Gerald felt faint as he pointed a trembling finger at Rachel. “You… you unfilial daughter! How dare… how dare you rebel against me and talk about cutting off ties with us?! If you’re really bent on doing that, I have the right to take back all the company shares under your name. You can forget about staying in the company!”