Chapter 41

“Dad, don’t be angry. I just—” Marlondo explained.

“Shut up!” Stephen shouted, pointing at three people with trembling hands. “The three of you, get out! Get out!”

Stephen’s furious shouting echoed outside the house. Intimidated, the three fled. The two younger men ran fastest; Marlondo left the study, then turned back, closing the door behind him to find Stephen slumped over, gasping for air.

“Dad!” Marlondo roared, rushing back inside.

Ten minutes later, an ambulance screamed into the Hoffman manor. The guests, still present, were immediately alerted. They watched as Stephen was carried out on a stretcher, most of the Hoffman family following in a flurry of departures, trailing the ambulance. A few remained to address the remaining guests.

“Mr. Hoffman was taken to the hospital on his 80th birthday?” the guests murmured. “He seemed perfectly fine at the banquet—chatting, laughing, even having a few drinks. How did this happen?”

Kendrick watched from the manor entrance. He’d come seeking the Hoffmans’ support; the Zabel family planned to move to Yrinas and needed powerful allies. Though the Hoffmans resided in Lofbury, their influence would ensure the Zabels' acceptance in Yrinas.

He disregarded the Zabinski family for now; a past auction conflict, and Kendrick’s stubborn pride, prevented any appeal for help from them. Initially preoccupied with his own agenda, he was therefore quite upset by Stephen's sudden hospitalization.

Whispers circulated. “I heard Mr. Hoffman sent Robert to the study. Someone overheard him berating Robert, ordering him to leave. Then Marlondo rushed in and called the ambulance.”

Marlondo was the Hoffman family’s eldest son.

Kendrick’s displeasure shifted to delight. “Wow, Robert,” he mused. “You angered Stephen enough to land him in the hospital! You’ve offended the Hoffmans. How will the Labelle family protect you now?”

His prior concern with securing the Hoffmans’ favor now had a new focus: Robert. Robert was the breakthrough! A grin spread across Kendrick's face. "Robert is so cute," he thought. "Isn't this a gift from heaven?"

A plan began to coalesce in Kendrick’s mind.

Later, as Carlos drove, he glanced at Robert. “Mr. Zabinski, how was your visit to the Hoffman family?”

Robert smiled. “Not bad. We got along well.” He made no mention of the earlier turmoil.

Back in Yrinas, Kendrick addressed Marilyn. “Marilyn, sever ties with Robert immediately. He enraged Stephen, leading to hospitalization. The Hoffmans can’t retaliate yet, but once Stephen recovers, they’ll come after Robert, dragging the Labelle family down. If the Hoffmans turn on you, it'll be disastrous!”

Marilyn, staring out the window, responded impatiently, “Don’t worry about me.”

“Marilyn, I’m your boyfriend! Of course I worry!” Kendrick reached for her hand.

Chapter 42