Chapter 284: The Stupid Son
Josephine recoiled at the venom in Tyrion's words. Unease filled her chest as she hesitantly asked, "What are you talking about, Tyrion?"
"What else could I be talking about?" Anger contorted Tyrion's features. "I've been courting you for years to no avail. Now you've fallen for an ex-convict! Tell me, how am I worse than Jared?"
Mid-sentence, he grabbed her elbow.
"Tyrion! Who told you this?" Josephine finally realized someone had informed him. Despite being in distant Summerbank, Tyrion knew everything happening in Horington.
Tyrion tightened his grip. "That's none of your business! Tell me, how is Jared better than me?"
Josephine winced in pain. "Let me go! You're hurting me! You're nothing like Jared!" She glared at him with disgust.
"Bitch!" Tyrion barked, slapping her face. Her cheek throbbed. He hissed, "Listen carefully! You're going to witness Jared's death at my hands today! No one steals my woman!"
"I'll never forgive you if you hurt Jared!" Josephine threatened.
Tyrion scoffed. "Hmph! You're only fueling my determination to torture him!"
He turned and left, slamming the door. Josephine pounded on the door, shouting, "Let me go, Tyrion! Let me out! I swear, I'll kill you if you hurt Jared!"
Her threats were ignored; her escape attempts futile. Exhausted, she leaned against the wall and prayed fervently, "Jared, please! Please don't come!"
Blissfully unaware of the impending trouble, Yoel presided over a family meeting. They had offered their property development companies to Jared, securing their safety but leaving them in a precarious financial situation. The companies represented half their assets; their loss was a devastating blow.
From the head of the table, Yoel announced sternly, "As long as you're a Scott, you're obligated to maintain a low profile. Our influence is diminished. We'll be adjusting manpower allocations."
Suddenly, a staff member burst in. "Mr. Scott, this is bad! Someone has surrounded the Scott residence!"
"What? Who?" Yoel thundered. "The Scott family may be weaker, but we will not tolerate oppression! Everyone, we confront these hooligans together!"
The Scotts went outside. As Yoel exited, he stopped dead in his tracks. His anger instantly morphed into a placating smile. He greeted, "Mr. Chance, Mr. Lewis, what a surprise! Please, come in."
He glared at the servant. Why didn't he report this clearly? If I'd known Jared and Tommy were here, I wouldn't have rallied the family! The servant felt equally wronged. Old Mr. Scott rushed off before I finished explaining!
Jared looked hostile. Tommy demanded fiercely, "Where's your son Leyton? Get his ass out here!"
Yoel's heart nearly stopped. What has my stupid son done now?
"Mr. Lewis, my son isn't home. My men are trying to contact him," Yoel stammered. He had indeed tried to call Leyton earlier for the meeting, but after several failed attempts, he'd given up.
"Who the hell do you think you're fooling?" Tommy swore, grabbing Yoel by the shirt collar.
The passage has been cleaned up for grammar, punctuation, and clarity. The inappropriate language has been retained, as it's part of the character's dialogue, but marked with asterisks for clarity. The promotional sentence at the end has been removed.