Chapter 273

Chapter 273:

Marie’s displeasure was written all over her face. For all his modest beginnings, Dustin had always struck her as shrewd, cunning, and willing to play dirty when needed. She had expected brilliance from him in the form of a scheme sharp enough to turn the tide. Instead, he faltered at the very moment she needed him.

“You’d better start using that head of yours,” she snapped. “The company doesn’t pay you to sit idle. If Gabriela reclaims control, don’t think you’ll escape unscathed p>

At the office, Marie treated him like a pawn to be moved at her whim; at home, she offered him even less regard. Dustin swallowed his bitterness, forcing a meek nod, resentment coiled tightly inside him like a blade yet unsheathed.

“Relax, Marie, I’ll come up with a perfect solution,” he said.

But before he could even put his thoughts in order, disaster struck. Word swept through the Haynes Group like wildfire: Marie had squandered millions at an opulent casino on Paradise Island, patching the losses with company funds—money that had been earmarked for a major new project.

The shareholders convened in outrage, demanding answers.

𝖫𝖺𝗍𝖾𝗌𝗍 𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗍𝖾𝗋𝗌 𝗈𝗇

Marie, however, walked into the boardroom with her usual poise. “You’ve all seen my devotion to the company over the years. Do you really think I’d jeopardize the company I’ve built? This is nothing but a malicious rumor. Give me a few days, and I’ll find the real culprit and deliver you proof p>

Her calm words eased the storm, at least on the surface. Once the meeting adjourned, Marie wasted no time. With bodyguards in tow, she had her assistant hauled into a deserted alley.

“Cullen,” she said, eyes like knives. “Was it you who betrayed me p>

Bloodied and trembling, Cullen Willis collapsed to his knees, his face swollen from the beating. “Mrs. Haynes… I never wanted to. But Tyler Jordan threatened to drag Kaitlin Hussain to the police if I didn’t confess about the embezzlement p>

And there it was—the ghost from the past. Years earlier, Cullen had lured Kaitlin into a drunken trap, pushing her into a client’s bed to secure a deal.

He had paid her off afterward, certain the sordid night would be buried forever. Yet seven years later, the scandal clawed its way back at the worst possible moment.

“Mrs. Haynes, you were the one who gave the order back then,” Cullen muttered bitterly. “I kept your name out of it. But if Tyler tracks down Kaitlin and she talks to the police, we’ll both rot in prison. If we cover the embezzled funds quickly, we might just get away with it p>

Tyler Jordan?

Marie’s mind raced. He was known to be on Gabriela’s side. Fury surged through her. She kicked Cullen sharply. “You’d better learn what to say and what to swallow. Go hide in the countryside and don’t set foot in Okburg unless I summon you p>

Cullen nodded quickly.

“Now get out of my sight!” she snapped, turning on her heel.

Without another glance, Marie stormed toward Rosemont Gardens, intent on confronting Gabriela. Phyllis, catching on, hurried after her mother.

With the spare key still in her possession, Marie flung open the villa door and marched toward Gabriela, her voice ringing with rage. “You’ve taken the house and ruined my reputation. What more are you after p>

Tyler and Farley happened to be there. They immediately stepped forward, blocking Gabriela from Marie’s fury.

Gabriela, unruffled, looked at her. “Marie, what is this about p>

“Don’t you dare play innocent!” Marie spat, her eyes burning. “You sicced Tyler on my assistant. Must you push me to the brink before you’re satisfied p>

Gabriela’s voice remained steady. “Out of respect for Uncle Josh, I haven’t handed the evidence to the police. You need to stop before it’s too late.” She didn’t want to blow things into a spectacle. The last thing she wanted was to wound her uncle further.

Marie’s eyes blazed, her voice sharp as a blade. “I’ve poured half my life into the Haynes Group. Do you think I’ll just hand it over to you p>

Gabriela let out a cold laugh. “You squander millions at the casino every year, stealing from the company to fund your vices. And you dare claim you’ve poured half your life into the company? Unbelievable p>