When the Dead Still Call novel Chapter 354

**TITLE: Broken by Destiny**

**Chapter 354: No Choice**

Wade found himself standing at a crossroads, the weight of his dwindling options pressing heavily upon him. Reluctantly, he realized he had no alternative but to seek out Jeremy once more.

“Uncle Wade,” Jeremy remarked, arms crossed, a smile gracing his lips that didn’t quite reach his eyes, “you fought tooth and nail to take charge of this project. Now that the waters have turned murky, you’re ready to bail?”

On the surface, Jeremy appeared gentle, almost disarming, yet there was an underlying sharpness to his demeanor that felt like a blade poised to cut. Wade clenched his jaw, the frustration bubbling beneath the surface, but ultimately, he found himself lowering his gaze, surrendering to the inevitable.

“I never anticipated anything like this,” Wade confessed, his voice strained. “Those people are impossible to reason with. They’re peddling lies online, dragging the Curran Group’s name through the dirt!”

“I can’t engage with those rude townsfolk. I’m done with this project. You and your team can take it from here.”

Wade was acutely aware that Jeremy operated his own private teams—public relations, legal advisors, crisis management, you name it. They answered solely to Jeremy, not to the Curran Group. This realization left Wade feeling trapped; he had no authority over them, no power to command their actions. Only Jeremy held the reins.

“Uncle Wade,” Jeremy replied, his tone deceptively light, “when there’s profit to be made, you’re quick to seize it. But now that trouble has reared its head, you suddenly want to hand it all over to me?”

His smile returned, soft on the outside yet harboring an unsettling edge that sent a shiver down Wade’s spine.

“Reaping the benefits while dodging the fallout… how can you justify that?”

Wade felt his stomach twist in knots. He knew that this situation wouldn’t resolve itself easily. Taking a deep breath, he steeled himself and asked, “Alright. What do you want from me? How can you assist in this mess?”

No matter how he sliced it, this scandal had ensnared the entire Curran Group, and Jeremy was not the sort to let it slide. Wade also recognized that Jeremy intended for him to pay a steep price.

“Let’s be clear,” Jeremy stated, his voice firm and unyielding, “you’re the one who spearheaded this project, so it’s imperative that you hold a press conference to address the victim’s family directly.

“After that, you’ll issue a statement announcing your withdrawal from major decision-making. You’ll relinquish all authority for this project back to me, and you’ll pledge never to lead any significant projects again.”

Wade shot up from his chair, disbelief coursing through him.

“Jeremy, that’s essentially relegating me to a figurehead without any real power!”

“The company has suffered financially, the shareholders are reeling, and worst of all, our reputation has taken a significant hit!”

“Exactly. Wade’s family has no grasp of how business operates. He and Maclin have consistently made poor decisions.”

Wade absorbed every word, fury rising within him like a tempest. Yet, he found himself powerless to counter their accusations this time; he had to swallow his anger and remain silent.

But the most infuriating part? His ineffectual son, Maclin, had the audacity to chime in as well.

“Dad, this isn’t so terrible. We get to enjoy life every single day. The Currans still provide us with plenty of money to spend.”

“Why bother clashing with Jeremy? He’s as competent as Uncle Hendrick was. You can’t hold a candle to him.”

“You’re getting older. Wouldn’t it be nice to just relax and enjoy life at home?”

Wade felt a mix of frustration and despair wash over him. How had it come to this?