Suddenly There Are Three (Bailey and Artemis) novel Chapter 854

Chapter 854 Delegation of Power

As Bailey gazed at the young man standing before her, her eyes began to well up with tears.

It had been a few months since she last saw him. He had grown taller and seemed to have matured as a person.

“You rascal, weren't you supposed to stay put in Hallsbay? Why are you running around all over the place? Itching for trouble, are you?”

Leaning casually against the doorway to the rooftop, Zayron crossed his arms and rolled his eyes at his mother's words.

“I'm an independent young man now. You can't control me anymore. Looking at your frail condition, you may be able to catch me, but you can't do much else anymore! Maybe try again in your next life!”

Bailey pulled away from Artemis's embrace and pounced on her son.

Zayron let out a startled cry and quickly sidestepped to avoid his mother.

It was true that his mother indeed could not catch up to him.

Even if her health had been in good condition, it would still be difficult for her to catch her son.

Ah, my boy has grown into a man!

In a few more years, she feared that even as a mother, it would be hard for her to match up to him.

“Come here, let me give you a hug,” she said affectionately, opening up her arms to receive him.

Zayron hesitated and asked tentatively, “Do you promise not to hurt me? If you're going to smack me, I'm not going over there. I'm not that foolish”

“If you're going to hit me, I'm not going over there. I'm not that foolish.”

Bailey glared at him and raised her voice, demanding, “Come here right now.”

The young man's eyes were wide open with caution as he slowly inched towards his mother.

Once he was close enough, Bailey suddenly lunged forward and pulled him into her embrace.

“You've really grown taller. A lot taller in fact! How have you been? Been letting loose and enjoying yourself lately?”

“Well, yes. I wish both of you would just leave me alone. Then, no one will boss me around anymore.”

Contrary to his words, his arms were tightly wrapped around his mother's torso.

Bailey reached out and playfully smacked him twice on the back of his head. She laughed and said teasingly, “You've grown taller, but you're still the same naughty boy.”

Zayron buried his head in the crook of his mother's neck and shoulder, murmuring, “Mommy, I thought I'd never see you again.”

“Maxton and Susan cry their eyes out every day, missing the two of you. If I hadn't known that you guys wouldn't die so easily, I might have ended up crying even more embarrassingly than them.”

Bailey laughed and said nothing in reply.

She was thankful that both Artemis and herself had survived. Otherwise, their deaths would become a lifelong pain for the children.

Artemis walked over from a distance and wrapped his arms around his wife and son in a big bear hug.

“I won't let you two go through the pain of separation again.”

Zayron snorted, and said bluntly, “Now that you're back to full health, you'd better be able to keep Mommy safe. Otherwise, I'll consider finding myself a new stepdad.”

Artemis laughed at his son's threat.

This little rascal will really follow through on his words!

“Since you're here, why don't you come with us to Moranta? Your uncle is having a hard time dealing with your aunt. Maybe you could handle her better.”

Zayron blinked. A mischievous glint flashed in his eyes.

He was the best at playing matchmaker.

“By the way, has your Grandpa returned to Hallsbay?” Bailey asked.

Zayron scoffed, “It's precisely because he has returned that I was forced to flee for my life. That old man blamed me for not telling him that you were still alive, which led to him releasing Sofie. It was a huge mistake. He's becoming worse as he ages. He messed up and did something stupid, and in the end, he's blaming it all on me.”

It was a good thing that Zayron had run away quickly. Otherwise, he would have found himself grounded to reflect on his actions for at least half a month.

Artemis tousled his son's hair, and scolded him gently, “Don't be so disrespectful. He's still your grandfather. Don't call him 'old man'.”

Zayron shot him a wicked look and said in a teasing tone, “Alright, from now on I'll call you 'old man' instead.”

In the sitting room of the Hoffman residence, Raymond sat on a large armchair and swept his gaze over the faces of his family members gathered all around him. Finally, his eyes rested on Philip.

“It was my mismanagement that led to the loopholes in our family business which ultimately resulted in massive losses. These past few days, I've been reflecting at home, and I have to admit that I've grown old and less sharp. I no longer have the energy to manage such a vast estate. To prevent any further damage to the business, I have decided to appoint Tucker as my successor. In the time to come, I will gradually hand over my powers and responsibilities to him. This will give him time to familiarize himself with the affairs of our family. I also hope that everyone here can work together to support him, so that our family can continue to thrive forever.”

The swift and straightforward manner in which Raymond had relinquished his power aroused suspicion among his family.

“Raymond, are you certain you want to appoint Tucker as your successor?”

“Exactly! Are you planning to give up your authority completely and allow him to replace you as the new head of the Hoffman family?”

“We are convening a family meeting today just to discuss things, not to blame you for what has happened. If you can resolve the problem, we are willing to let you continue your role as the head of our family for a few more years.”

Looking at the two-faced crowd gathered before him, a smirk quirked at the corner of Raymond's lips.

This delegation of power was primarily aimed at rooting out the traitorous members of the second branch of the Hoffman family and purging the family of them. Then, peace would finally be restored to the family.

Their comments did not phase him. He had already expected them to make a scene. What he had truly feared was that they would hide their true feelings behind their masks, and he would fail to draw them out.

“My decision is final. There's no need for further discussion. Moving forward, Tucker will be the acting head of the Hoffman family. All my authority will rest in his hands. You will all follow his orders and assist him to resolve the chaos in our family right now.”

After he finished speaking, he took the seal from his butler's hand and handed it reverently to Tucker.

Tucker was still lost in surprise. He was unable to respond for a moment.

Philip, who was seated by his side, quickly nudged him and muttered, “What are you waiting for? Hurry up and take the seal.”

Tucker reached out his shaking hands to receive the seal of the Hoffman family from Raymond.

“Thank you, Uncle Raymond. Rest assured, I will protect the interests of our family and our age-old family business. I will not let you down.”

Raymond patted his shoulder grimly. Then, he stood up and walked toward the door, leaving without another word.

As soon as he had stepped out of the sitting room, he heard a cheer of jubilation behind him. His lips curved into a knowing smile.

He would never hand over his family to the second branch of the Hoffman family. That would undoubtedly lead to a path of self-destruction.

Their family lineage had endured for a thousand years and should be succeeded by someone with compassion in their heart.

There was no one else suitable among the younger generation besides Juliana.

Therefore, he had decided to tightly control his daughter's life and groom her for the position. She would have to spend the rest of her life guarding their family's legacy.

Inside Huntley's bedroom, Juliana smiled and said to Huntley, “My father and I have set a trap to catch the second branch of the Hoffman family. Once we're through with them, let's get married, okay?”