Chapter 518: An Unsettled Account with the Lyon Family
Tina was not interested in hearing Max’s explanations; knowing the intentions of the Lyon family towards Max was enough for her. She extended her hand towards Max, “Give me the translated version of the agreement you have set.” Max paused, bewildered, “What translated version?”
“The encrypted contract of your agreement!” Tina replied, growing impatient. Max appeared even more confused, “I don’t know of any encrypted document; our agreements are standard and in my car. Let me fetch it for you.” Saying this, Max hurried to his car to retrieve the contract and handed it to Tina, “Please have a look, Miss.”Original from NôvelDrama.Org.
Tina took the contract, and indeed, it was the agreement between the Hancock and Lyon families. However, both the format and the text differed from the contract Tina had seen in the Lyon family’s safe. Although Tina was unaware of the specific nature of the contract in the safe, she was certain these two documents were not the same. It seemed Max had not lied about this. “You may go now,” Tina said, handing the contract back to Max. This contract had no substantial content, merely detailing routine business transactions. The Hancock family, a leader in biotechnology in Clearwater, also owned shipping routes, making their collaboration with the Lyon family quite beneficial. Yet, the contract did not cover the advanced biotechnology of bionic organisms.
Max took the document, hesitated as if wanting to say more, then looked at Tina. She glanced coldly at him, expressionless, “As long as Grace doesn’t bother me, it’s safe!”
“Thank you, Miss,” Max said as he watched Tina enter the villa before he got back into his car. As soon as the car door closed, his sycophantic expression turned severe. He gave the villa’s gate one last deep look before patting the car seat, signaling the driver to depart.
Inside the villa, Tina watched through the window sheer as Max’s car disappeared, a smile playing at her lips. Everyone misjudges sometimes. Like Tina, who had initially misjudged Hawk. Like Natalie, who had also misjudged Max. Jared brought over a cup of hot milk, “Try this, I heated it up.” Tina let the sheer fall and took the milk, nodding seriously after a sip, “Not bad, better than the plain water you boil.” Jared’s mouth twitched, “Can’t a man in your eyes even heat milk properly?” It seemed Tina always thought his survival skills were nil. Had she forgotten that compared to her disastrous cooking, his meals were quite decent?
Tina chuckled, “I think your hands should be earning more money for me, Uncle.” Money was indeed sweeter than milk. Jared pinched her delicate cheek affectionately, “You money-grubber!” Tina clicked her tongue twice, “Who would ever complain about having too much money?” Jared stroked her head softly, “It’s rare for me to have this trait, my lady. Rest assured, I will earn more money. Enough to last us this lifetime and the next.”
“Good,” Tina smiled, her grin as bright and dazzling as the sunlight. After finishing her milk, she leaned on Jared’s shoulder to rest.
Suddenly recalling something, Tina looked up and asked, “Uncle, did my mother ever mention bionic organisms to you?” Jared shook his head, “No, the master knew I never had much talent for medicine and never discussed her research with me.” Tina shifted to a more comfortable position, “My mom did mention it to me once. She said every technology has its pros and cons, like a bomb. In the hands of the wrong person, it’s a dangerous weapon, but in the right hands, it can protect oneself and one’s family. Bionic organisms are the same. If created to replace human bodies, once widespread, villains wouldn’t need to show themselves to commit evil acts, posing a severe threat to society and public safety.”
Jared embraced Tina, saying, “But if it were used for preliminary reconnaissance, like the last time I was trapped in the mine, many dangers could be avoided and some combat strength preserved.”
Tina yawned, looking somewhat tired, “It’s just that I don’t know how far along my mom has gotten with her research…”
As she spoke, Tina nestled into Jared’s lap and fell asleep.
Her breathing was even, as if she was still contemplating the matter of bionic organisms in her sleep.
Jared’s fingers gently smoothed her brow until Tina was deeply asleep, then he lifted her in his arms and carried her to the bedroom.
“Good night, Tina.”
Jared bent down and kissed her forehead, turned off the bedside lamp, and was about to leave when Tina, in her sleep, suddenly grabbed his hand tightly.
In the dark, she murmured softly with infinite longing, “Mom…”
Jared sighed lightly but did not pull his hand away. Instead, he slowly sat on the floor, quietly watching Tina as she slept.
He stayed there until dawn when Tina opened her eyes to find Jared had sat on the floor all night. He was now dozing off at the bedside.
A wave of warmth surged through Tina’s heart, and she leaned over to kiss Jared on the lips.
“Good morning, Uncle.”
Jared’s eyes snapped open, a smile spreading across his face, “Awake?”
“Yes,” Tina said as she got out of bed and began to change her clothes. “Uncle, let’s get ready and go to the Lyon family.”
Jared grunted in agreement, “Good, there’s still a score to settle with them.”
At the Lyon family, Grandma Lyon sat in her wheelchair, looking at her legs which had lost sensation, “Grace, that little wretch, seems so pure but plays around so much behind the scenes; her boyfriend could line up all the way from Clearwater to Ashbury, it’s disgraceful.”
Yesterday’s embarrassment had become known all across Clearwater.
The Lyon family had never faced such disgrace in years.
It enraged her so much that she had a sleepless night.
Early in the morning, she had called her sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren to discuss a plan.
Megan, filing her nails arrogantly, said, “Hmph, to think she looked down on our Connor, I would have to think twice even if she came begging.”
“She can only marry Jared now, our Lyon family can’t afford to lose that much face,” Grandma Lyon agreed with Megan’s words.
Megan was suddenly anxious, having intended to demean Grace to marry her and acquire the Hancock family’s business, but now it was outright denied-how could this be?
“Mom, with all this noise, what can the Farrell family do? Better marry her off now while no one in Clearwater wants her, secure a favor from the Hancock family, and once we get the business, we can send her away. The Hancock family’s clients are prime meat; we can’t let the Farrell family snatch them away.”
Stephanie, who despised Megan’s demeanor, retorted while looking down on others, yet coveting their status.
“Even if Grace’s reputation is ruined, there would still be many who’d want to marry her, Aunt Megan, you better check if your own son is capable first.”
“You little brat, when adults are talking, where’s your place to speak? I see you’re no better, hanging around with Grace so much, not doing any less of those disgusting deeds behind the scenes!”
Leah, hearing Megan speak so about her daughter, was outraged, “Megan, mind your language, think about your own household’s mess, letting her guard the door, what good did that do? If it weren’t for her negligence, Tina wouldn’t have gotten in, and all this trouble wouldn’t have happened.”