Larissa Judson and Haskell Palmer novel Chapter 688

Kiernan’s eyes remained narrowed for a moment longer, then he nodded. “Alright.”

Paxton was taken aback. He hadn’t expected Kiernan to agree so easily. He had a whole arsenal of prepared speeches he wouldn’t get to use now.

“Really? Dad, does that mean I can attend Larissa’s birthday party tomorrow?” he asked, still unsure.

“Yes, you can.”

Josette quickly chimed in, “And me? Can I move back into the house?”

Kiernan nodded again. “You can. Neville isn’t around as much as he used to be, busy managing both Judson Pharmaceuticals and Sprout Tech. To be honest, an old man like me gets lonely in that big house. It would be good to have you back for company.”

Josette beamed, exchanging a triumphant glance with Paxton.

Kiernan’s expression turned serious. “Now, you can tell me about this business secret.”

Josette leaned forward. “Lucius is developing a new, prohibited drug. It’s for use in some of the Lincoln family’s unregulated overseas operations. They don’t have a suitable production line abroad, so they’ve set their sights on Judson Pharmaceuticals.”

Kiernan’s expression darkened.

“Dad,” Paxton added gravely, “Neville is new to managing the company. There might be operational loopholes that Lucius could exploit.”

“So you want to assist Neville?” Kiernan asked.

Paxton gave a wry smile. “Of course I’d like to help protect the company, but I doubt any of you would give me that chance anymore. That’s why I said I’ve accepted my situation. Josette has told you the secret. I’m sure Neville is capable of handling the defense. You should just remind him to be vigilant, to check if any of Judson Pharmaceuticals’ products are being secretly replaced.”

Seeing Paxton’s apparent sincerity, Kiernan simply said, “Fine. I understand.”

He rose slowly from his chair. “The two of you can come back to the house tomorrow for Larissa’s birthday.”

“Why was Dad so agreeable today? He caved so quickly,” Josette mused, still puzzled.

Paxton found it strange too, but he was confident Kiernan couldn’t know about his alliance with Lucius.

“Perhaps seeing you in this state made him feel guilty,” he suggested.

At the mention of guilt, Josette’s expression hardened. “If he felt guilty, he wouldn’t have been so cruel to us in the first place! I will never forgive him!”

Paxton’s eyes glinted with the same cold resentment. He felt the same way. The moment he got back into the family and reclaimed what was rightfully his from that wretched girl, Larissa, his first order of business would be to ensure Kiernan never left his bed again.

When they returned to the apartment, Leopold, who had just gotten back from gift shopping with Finley, greeted them excitedly.

“Dad, Aunt Josette, you’re back! I have great news!”