Carlos’s expression stiffened when he saw Geoffrey reach out, point at the door, and say, “I won’t go back to the Stones. Drop your funny ideas!
“I don’t want to see you again. Immediately get lost with your people, and don’t disturb me again!”
Maddy said, “Leave. Since Grandpa has decided to retire in this residence, stop coming to disturb him.”
The Stones were all flustered and immediately looked at Carlos anxiously.
If the two of them were unwilling to return to the Stones, how could they use Maddy’s connections to make the family stronger?
Carlos was under great pressure. He suddenly stepped forward and said loudly, “Father, I’m your son, but why are you always so unwilling to help me? You always used to tell me that your greatest dream is for the Stones to rise to greater glory! Why are you letting go of such a great opportunity when there’s one right in front of you?
“A lot of things happened in the Stone residence this afternoon. You probably don’t know since you weren’t around. But once you and Maddy come home, the Stones will soon receive a great opportunity that might bring us to the peak of success and turn us into one of the eight top families. Aren’t you tempted at all?
“I know that my previous behavior made you and Maddy sad, but I was doing it for the sake of the family! Why can’t you understand my hardship?”
Carlos was extremely agitated, and his face was covered in self-reproach.
Everything he had done was for the sake of the family. He didn’t know why his father and daughter refused to be understanding toward him and forgive him.
Even though he had swallowed his pride and begged them to come home, they were still unwilling to go.
Geoffrey looked at Carlos with deep disappointment in his turbid eyes.
“At this point, you still haven’t realized where you went wrong. You’re really a disappointment!” Geoffrey’s tone was very gloomy, and there was a trace of contempt on his face. “You keep saying that you were forced into doing those things for the sake of the family. But is that really the case? Did you treat Maddy as your daughter when you wanted her to offer her life?
“Did you treat me as your father when you accused me of slandering you for the sake of power?
“I don’t want to say anything to you anymore. You’re now the head of the Stones, and all authority and responsibilities lie in your hands. Regardless of whether the family prospers or declines, it’s all your responsibility. It has nothing to do with me!
“Get lost!”
Geoffrey closed his eyes in fatigue and ordered him to leave again.
Jordan stepped forward and was about to chase Carlos away, but Lucas stopped him and stood in front of him.
Jordan was Maddy’s fiancé. No matter what, Carlos was his father-in-law. Lucas didn’t want Jordan to be caught in this dilemma.
Thus, he would do the job of chasing Carlos away.
“Mr. Carlos Stone, I advise you to take your people and leave quickly. If I find out later that you still have the audacity to disturb Geoffrey from resting, don’t blame me for being impolite!
“You should have already seen it clearly this afternoon. Don’t think I’m just trying to scare you. If I want to, I can easily destroy the eight top families, let alone the Stones. Trust me. You won’t be able to pay the price for going against me!”
Lucas’s tone was extremely threatening, like a cold blade that immediately made the Stones shudder.
They had seen how respectful and deferential a few heads of the eight top families of DC were to Lucas this afternoon, so they didn’t dare to doubt the authenticity of what Lucas said!
Even people from the eight great families had kneeled and begged for forgiveness. The Stones were nothing to Lucas at all!
The Stones didn’t dare to disobey Lucas’s warning and could only leave the residence.
They were full of regret.
At one point, they had the opportunity to befriend someone as powerful as Lucas. But now that Maddy had been expelled from the family, this relationship had been completely ruined. It was utterly heartbreaking!
…
After the Stones left, peace was restored in the residence, but the people were no longer as relaxed.
Geoffrey stood still for a long while before suddenly saying, “Maddy, say, do you think I was wrong to secretly help your father settle the aftermath of his mistakes? Maybe I shouldn’t have helped him in the first place and let him learn a few hard lessons so that he could grow!”
Previously, Geoffrey had tried to hand over several major businesses of the Stones to Carlos, but they had all incurred heavy losses.
If Geoffrey hadn’t secretly ordered people to solve the problems, these major businesses might have long been ruined by Carlos.
Geoffrey could help him once or twice, but he couldn’t help him for life.
At this moment, Geoffrey really doubted if he had made a mistake.
Maddy leaned on Geoffrey’s shoulder and comforted him softly, “Grandpa, it’s not your fault but Dad’s. Don’t hold it against yourself for the mistakes he has committed. Besides, we’ve left the Stones now, so let’s not think about those troublesome things! Everyone, sit down. I’ll continue to cook.”
The group stayed in the residence for a long time, after which Lucas and Jordan proposed leaving.
Maddy had already decided to stay with Geoffrey, so she sent Lucas and Jordan out of the residence.
Just as Lucas was about to get into the car, he suddenly turned around and said to Maddy, “Tell your grandfather to rest assured that I won’t let the Stones perish.”
Then Lucas turned around, got into the car, and instructed Jordan to start driving.
Even until the car completely disappeared, Maddy stood still without moving. But there was a thin layer of tears in her eyes. She felt extremely touched.
“Thank you, Lucas!”
Maddy knew that although her grandfather had just said in front of Carlos that he would no longer care about the Stones and that it would have nothing to do with him even if the Stones perished, she knew that he wouldn’t just ignore them. He had dedicated his entire life to the family. How could he really abandon them?
Lucas’s promise was akin to a form of protection for the Stones, which would put Geoffrey at ease!
While driving, Jordan asked in confusion, “Lucas, both Maddy and Grandpa Geoffrey have left the Stones and don’t plan to go back. Do you still plan to help them?”
