The Billionaire Heir Fell for the Wrong Girl (Hathaway Whitmore) novel Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Chapter 26

“Avery, Dad’s here,” Hathaway called out.

55 vouchers

As soon as Hathaway finished speaking, the hall door swung open, and Conrad stood there, silhouetted against the light.

The moment everyone saw the chairman, who had flown back from abroad, it was like they’d grabbed onto a lifeline. Instantly, the room exploded with everyone talking over each other, voicing their complaints about Hathaway and Avery.

Lucia, with red eyes, suddenly bowed, her voice trembling. “Mr. Whitmore, the police took my mom away. Please, you have to get her out.”

Sylvia quickly stepped forward with the butler to help Lucia up, shooting a reproachful look at Hathaway.

Conrad had no idea who the girl on the floor was, so someone explained, “She’s the daughter of Cordelia.”

Conrad nodded and took off his coat, looking a bit worn out from his trip. “Everyone, please have a seat.”

He then turned to Lucia and spoke gently, “You too, sweetheart. Take your time and tell me everything.”

He didn’t glance at Avery and Hathaway.

The group, which had been afraid to speak up, immediately started talking. “Mr. Whitmore, thank goodness you’re here.”

“Mr. Whitmore, my son has worked for you for years. Maybe he didn’t win any awards, but he’s worked hard for you. Avery suddenly laid off a bunch of people. You have to stand up for us.”

“Mr. Whitmore, my daughter is still being held at the police station.”

Conrad reassured them with a few words, then immediately called the station to have her released.

Lucia and her grandmother shot Hathaway a triumphant look.

Hathaway’s heart sank. She glanced at Avery, who had long since sent Conrad photos of the fake invoices and proof of the kickbacks. But Conrad, out of personal sentiment, chose to let it slide.

Hathaway didn’t say a word. Before anyone could react, she dashed upstairs.

Sylvia shook her head.

*****

Half an hour later, Conrad called Hathaway into his study.

When he saw Hathaway’s face streaked with tears, he reached out with his rough hand to wipe them away. “You’re already crying before I say anything to you?”

1/4

15:09 Thu, Jul 16

Chapter 26

“Dad,” Hathaway whispered.

“Did you really have to go that far? You called the police?” Conrad said.

19

55 vouchers

Hathaway’s eyes reddened as the pain from her previous life washed over her. “Dad, you don’t get it. I had this awful nightmare. Whitmore Group was destroyed.

“When I was a kid, Grandpa used to say, ‘If Grandma swims in the sea and Mom runs on land, then the daughter can soar in the sky.

“He’d always laugh and say he wanted to be that grandma. Dad, if you keep being soft, are you really okay with Avery and me ending up with nothing at all?”

“How could you possibly have nothing?” Conrad found it absurd. He’d spent half his life building Whitmore Group, convinced it would let his family want for nothing for generations.

Whitmore Group was massive, a true powerhouse in Bayridge. Conrad had never considered the idea that it could collapse. He was waiting for Avery to get married so he could retire and hand everything over to his

son.

Hathaway shivered. “If you keep being merciful, we’ll lose it all. You can’t assume Whitmore Group will stay on top forever. No one can guarantee our family won’t fall on hard times.

“I can practically see Whitmore Group falling apart in the future. Dad, have you ever thought about what would happen if Whitmore Group were gone?”

These weren’t wild fears. She’d lived through it in her previous life.

She continued, “Whitmore Group was built by Grandpa, then by you, and soon it’ll be Avery’s responsibility. Maybe you can’t see the corruption now, but if everything falls apart when it’s Avery’s turn, how do you expect him to live with that?

“If Whitmore Group collapses under Avery, have you ever thought about what that’ll do to him?”

She had witnessed Whitmore Group’s collapse with her own eyes.

In her previous life, the stock price plummeted, partners withdrew one after another, and Whitmore Group was sold off. All those million–dollar machines they’d bought were eventually reduced to worthless scrap metal.

Avery clung to that pile of scrap, desperately trying to stage a comeback like their grandfather once did. But the world had changed, and no matter how hard Avery fought, it was all for nothing.

This was how Whitmore Group ended up. This was what Hathaway got for loving the wrong person.

Conrad sat there. He hadn’t expected his daughter to be crying her heart out and accusing him instead of feeling any guilt. “Hathaway, it’s not that serious.”

“No, it’s worse than you can imagine. Whitmore Group doesn’t need people like that,” Hathaway replied. “If we don’t root out these cancers, Whitmore Group will never heal.”

2/4

15:09 Thu, Jul 16

Chapter 26

:

(19)

55 vouchers

“Dad, if you want to punish me, go ahead,” Hathaway said and crouched down. “If you want them back, you’ll have to beat me to death.”

Haunted by memories of her previous life, Hathaway gritted her teeth and refused to give in. She sobbed, collapsing. “I’m begging you.”

Conrad had been ready to give Hathaway a stern lecture, but now he couldn’t bring himself to say a word. The noise from the hall downstairs had been drifting up, but now it had finally gone quiet.

With tears streaming down her face, Hathaway choked out, “If a company is all about favoritism and family ties, no real tech talent would ever want to stay here.

“Why is Blackwood Group so powerful? Dad, do you really think Jeremiah would let every distant relative and busybody waltz into his company?”

After Avery left, he left the door ajar. Jeremiah knocked, and the door swung open. He saw Hathaway collapsing on the floor, and for once, his usually calm eyes showed a flicker of surprise.

“Jeremiah?” Conrad said.

Hathaway froze, then whipped around to see Jeremiah standing silently in the doorway. He stood tall and straight, his features sharp and cold, looking down at her with an aloof gaze.

For a split second, Hathaway felt like she’d stopped breathing.

She quickly wiped away her tears, tightened her grip on her fingers, and with her father’s help, got to her feet and rushed out the door. As she passed by, Jeremiah stepped aside to let her through.

He glanced back, catching sight of her bowed head and the smooth nape of her neck, so delicate that it looked like it could snap with a single touch.

“Jeremiah, why are you here?” Conrad asked.

Jeremiah turned his gaze to Conrad. “My dad sent me over to see if there’s anything I can help with, Conrad.”

“That’s very thoughtful of Reginald,” Conrad said with a smile as he stood up, sounding a bit helpless. “The kids want to make their decisions.”

“What do you think, Jeremiah?” Conrad asked.

“Conrad, anyone who’s stabbed the company in the back shouldn’t stick around,” Jeremiah said.

Conrad nodded, called up his lawyer, and the deputy finance director. Conrad told them straight, “Go with the list Hathaway made. The Finance Department will assist the lawyers with the procedures.”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify