Chapter 602
Chapter 602:
Rage coursed through Jasper’s veins like molten fire, yet he forced himself into rigid composure and gave the order for the money to be transferred to Gabriela. Then he turned to her. “Miss Haynes, please wait a moment p>
Gabriela offered a graceful nod.
Matthew positioned himself nearby, his gaze fixed on her with unmistakable fondness. His daughter possessed such brilliant cunning.
She understood her position perfectly—that any private negotiation would inevitably tilt against her, like a rigged scale.
So she had orchestrated this theatrical arrival, bringing a small army of reporters to stage a public spectacle, forcing the Howard family under the unforgiving spotlight of scrutiny.
The Howards—a name that had commanded reverence for over a century—treasured their pristine reputation above all else. Who would dare resort to underhanded tricks with cameras trained on their every move?
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These realizations crystallized into a single, startlingly clear thought as Matthew contemplated Jasper’s standing in the company.
The transfer was completed with mechanical efficiency. Jasper’s voice carried forced politeness. “Miss Haynes, does this arrangement satisfy you p>
Gabriela’s face lit with radiant satisfaction. “Absolutely delighted p>
Jasper buried his mounting irritation beneath a mask of calm. “Then, when might these people depart p>
“My three hundred sixty loyal friends will vanish the moment I do,” Gabriela declared with theatrical flair. “However, these one hundred twenty homeless souls present a different challenge—one beyond my humble capabilities p>
A crushing weight of foreboding descended upon Jasper like a heavy curtain.
He recalled their previous encounter—Gabriela’s wrist had sustained the most trivial of injuries, yet she had demanded a breathtaking hundred million from the Howard family.
Given the magnificent chaos she had orchestrated this time, her ambitions clearly soared far beyond a mere thirty million.
Wrestling his temper into submission, Jasper began, “These individuals arrived with you p>
Gabriela cut through his words like a blade through silk. “Come on, these homeless wanderers were assembled by your own cousin, plucked from every forgotten corner of Okburg. Their welfare rests squarely on your shoulders p>
She pivoted to survey the group before continuing her assault. “They have all been cast adrift without a permanent residence, day after day. Such heartbreaking misery. Does the Howard family not pride itself on being the city’s premier philanthropic beacon? You possess the resources to construct a proper shelter and take care of them p>
The Howard legacy included countless substantial charitable contributions at glittering public events—donations that often reached into the millions.
Jasper had not anticipated Gabriela would make such a proposition.
He leaned closer to her, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “Miss Haynes, every game has boundaries. You would not want to turn the Howard family into your eternal enemy, would you p>
“Project your voice, Jasper.” Gabriela deliberately amplified her response. “I understand perfectly that the Howard family wields tremendous power and influence—no one dares risk your displeasure. My modest Haynes Group has no business conflict with your empire. Yet you, the mighty CEO of Howard Group, persist in harassing my small company over petty personal grudges, wielding bankruptcy threats like a sword. If every major corporation behaved with such vindictive pettiness, what entrepreneur would dare pursue their dreams p>
Jasper found himself stunned into silence by Gabriela’s verbal onslaught, unable to formulate any response before her final words struck home.
“Jasper, justice lives in the court of public opinion. Should my company face destruction someday, thousands of digital voices will rise in my defense p>