Chapter 941

Skylar watched the three men before her, noting Spencer's angry glare. She smirked, returning his stare; the pepper spray's effects were still evident in his reddened eyes.

"I can be even more extreme," Joe said, raising an eyebrow. "Care for a taste of that?" His impatience with them was palpable.

"Did you know they founded companies outside?" Ernest exclaimed, a sudden understanding dawning on him. "You were waiting, planning to acquire them all?" He grasped the extent of Joe's ambition and ruthlessness. Had yesterday not occurred, Joe might have overlooked their actions.

"Sell your Martin Group stock," Joe stated coldly, "or face bankruptcy. You have one day to decide."

Ernest, Spencer, and Claudio had just experienced Joe's brutal tactics firsthand.

"I'm your grand-uncle!" Ernest protested, pale with shock. "I watched you grow up! Is this how you treat family? Have you no conscience?"

"If you want a public showdown, fine," Joe replied lazily. "But a full-blown conflict? Nothing will save you, not even tears at Grandpa's grave. Decided?"

Joe had been willing to show Ernest some deference before, but that time had passed.

"You! Joe, what a man!" Spencer sputtered, his fury masking the panic in his eyes. Even his anger was tempered by fear. Despite being Joe's elder, he commanded less respect. Ernest had relied on his status as Joe's grand-uncle to gain leverage, but after last night, the pretense of a happy family was gone. He regretted their visit; had they let Joe's anger subside, this might have been avoided. Who knew Joe held such a card?

Their colleagues sweated nervously, revealing that Joe knew everything about their behind-the-scenes activities.

Ernest stared at Joe, then conceded. "We reacted poorly. Please give us another chance. Derek will face the consequences. Before arriving, we inquired about your injuries; they were severe, near-fatal. My anxiety made me overlook your pain."

"Joe, we're family," Spencer attempted a guilt trip. "We shouldn't make a spectacle of this."

Claudio, though reluctant to submit, nodded under his father's direction. "Grandpa and Dad are right. Family matters should be resolved privately. I had a bad attitude yesterday. Please forgive me. If that's insufficient, I'll be your secretary—do Paul's work."

Skylar chuckled; Claudio overestimated himself. Even accounting for Paul's abilities, Claudio's ambition was laid bare. Skylar marveled at Joe's ability to endure such a family.

Sensing Skylar's indignation, Joe glanced at her, his expression softening slightly. Then, he glared at Claudio. "You're not capable."

Claudio frowned, realizing Joe deemed him inferior. With a flushed face, he protested, "You don't know me. I studied abroad; I'm not the same boy. I can stand on my own." He believed he could shoulder the entire Martin Group's burden, surpassing not only Paul, but even Joe himself.