The Unshackled King (by David Wu) novel Chapter 43

Zoey found it laughable and said, "You've been in a coma for half a year, completely out of the company's affairs during that time. What do you even have to fight with? Honestly, you'd be better off working under me. When my father becomes CEO, maybe we can still find a place for you in the company."

"Zoey, don't look down on others. Remember, she's got an ex-con fiancé now. Who knows, maybe that ex-con can actually help her... Well, do you believe that?" Hank spoke, and by the end, even he was laughing at his own words.

Stefan, who had remained silent, frowned. Even if Hank held a grudge against him, publicly provoking him again and again was crossing a line—and Stefan wasn't about to let it slide.

Stefan finally spoke, "Hank, if you dare make one more veiled remark or talk nonsense about me again, I'll throw you out. Believe it."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a chilling coldness that sent shivers down one's spine.

His words unmistakably reopened Hank's old wound, reminding him of the humiliating experience when Stefan had tossed him out like a rag doll last time.

Hank's face flushed crimson with rage. "Stefan, you're nothing but an ex-con! Who do you think you are, acting all high and mighty in front of me? Lay a hand on me again, and I'll make sure you're dead meat!"

A cold smirk appeared on Stefan's face. He stepped toward Hank, ready to teach this spoiled brat what it meant to reap what he sowed.

"Hey, what do you think you're doing? Stay out of the Stewart family's affairs!" Chuck grabbed Stefan's arm and warned him sternly.

"Stefan, don't be impulsive! He's not worth it!" Audrey chimed in, trying to dissuade him.

If Stefan laid a hand on Hank, Hewitt would surely make a huge fuss.

Therefore, Stefan cast a brief, indifferent glance at Hank and let the matter drop.

Hewitt looked at Sara, then shifted his gaze to Frazier. "Frazier, what's your take on this?"

"Hewitt, what can I say? I'm only interested in antiques and art," Frazier replied with a light laugh.

Philip, however, interjected, "Actually, Sara's capabilities are clear to all of us. Grandpa praised her many times in the past. In short, whoever can help the Stewart family secure this cooperation will have my full support."

Sara glanced at Philip discreetly. She had already discovered that the car accident from half a year ago was linked to the second branch of the family.

Now, Philip's words felt like adding insult to injury—pushing her directly into the line of fire and making her the prime target.

At the very least, it would redirect all the hostility from Hewitt's family squarely onto her.

"Don't underestimate Sara. She's quite capable."

"Dad, I have a friend who might be able to connect us with the Reed family. I'll reach out to him later," Zoey said.

A gleam flashed in Hank's eyes. "Dad, I've thought of a plan—one that can teach Stefan a harsh lesson and also ruin Sara's reputation."

"What plan?"

Hank explained, a cold smirk forming on his face, "I know Dawson Thompson from the Celestial Wyrm Society. I'll ask him to send some people to find an excuse to beat Stefan up, then make Sara go bail him out. If Sara goes to bail him out, we can leak the news discreetly and spread it far and wide. That would cement Stefan's image as a useless good-for-nothing and disgrace Sara. If she doesn't go, it proves she's heartless and disloyal. With that kind of reputation, how could the Reed family possibly want to work with her?"

Hewitt's eyes lit up. "That's not a bad plan. But the Celestial Wyrm Society is no ordinary group. Are you sure this Dawson is reliable?"

"Don't worry, Dad. Leave it to me!" Hank thumped his chest confidently.

*****

Back at the West Compound Villa, as soon as they entered the house, Chuck spoke in a grave tone, "Sara, even if you want to fight for the CEO position, you shouldn't have declared it so openly. By stating your stance outright, you've made yourself Hewitt's direct target."