“Emily?” Daniel and Hannah were stunned on the spot. “How come it’s you? Why are you here?”
“Duh, I was the one who invited you guys,” Emily said. “Why do you think I’m here?”
Daniel could tell that Emily was up to no good. “Why did you call us here?” he asked coldly.
“Oh, I’m about to demolish New Linton Group. As elders, don’t you guys want to take a last look at Linton Group?” Emily scoffed.
What?
Emily’s words floored the Hintons and the Williams.
The New Linton Group building is about to be demolished? Why?
Daniel looked at Lacey. “Lacey, is this true? Why didn’t you tell us earlier?”
Lacey sighed and nodded. “Mom, Dad, you don’t have to worry about this. I can handle it myself.”
“No, I firmly disagree,” Daniel said, “This building is the private property of Zeke and Lacey. No one can demolish it without their consent.”
“I am the Great Marshal’s wife now. My thoughts represent the will of the military,” Emily said, “I want this building. If you dare to protest, you’re going against the military and this constitutes an act of treason! Do you believe that I can arrest you right now?”
“You...” Daniel was so angry that he stuttered.
“Don’t worry,” Diego comforted him, “Lacey, give Zeke a call, quickly. He has served the military for decades. He should be given credit for his hard work, if not merit. He may be able to save the building if he steps in.”
Lacey looked embarrassed. “Zeke went on an urgent mission and has been out of contact for several days. I can’t reach him.”
Despair washed over everyone.
“So, Lacey, have you decided?” Emily taunted, “Will you take twenty million and scram, or will you not get a penny and be banished from Atheville?”
Lacey gritted her teeth. “Even if I were to tear the building down, you won’t get anything from this.”
“Oh, really?” Emily replied, “That’s not up to you to decide. I’ve suddenly changed my mind now. Not only do I want this building, but I also want you to present it to me in public at the opening ceremony of Emperor’s Residence.”
“You f**king wish!” Dawn couldn’t stand her anymore and cursed. “How about I present you with your mother’s ashes?”
“Haha, I’d love to see how long you can keep that up,” Emily snickered. “As far as I know, Zeke didn’t leave to carry out any emergency orders; he has absconded from his crime.”
“That’s sheer bull,” Nancy snarled, “This is slander. If you can’t produce any evidence, I’ll sue you for slander right now. You must be a fool to think that no one can deal with you just because you’re the Great Marshal’s wife. If I were to mobilize the power of the masses, not just you, but even the new Great Marshal will see his downfall.”
Instead of getting riled up, Emily simply sneered, “Easy there. I’m not finished yet. My man, that is the Great Marshal, has sufficient evidence to prove that Zeke has colluded with foreign countries and disclosed state secrets. He’s about to issue a nationwide arrest warrant against Zeke.”
“Shut up,” Diego rebuked. “My son is loyal to the country and he will never do anything against Eurasia.”
“My father-in-law is a King Class warrior, and my husband is the Great Marshal,” countered Emily, “Whose words carry greater weight? Yours? Or those of the King Class warrior and the Great Marshal?”
Emily’s words rendered everyone speechless.
If Ares and Julian have joined forces to slander Zeke, there will be no other way to remove the stigma from his name.
“If you don’t want Zeke to be reduced to a traitor, you’d better transfer this building to me in public at our opening ceremony,” Emily said. “This is your last chance. I hope you will consider it carefully.”
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Lord Protector novel (Zeke Williams)