Dear Ex-wife Marry Me (Maja and Ian) novel Chapter 1849

Envy's a waste of time, man.

"My household's more suffocating than a stint in the slammer. The eldest son just had a new baby boy and wants a bigger slice of the inheritance pie. Two weeks ago, they spiked my tea with something nasty. I nearly kicked the bucket, for real. If it wasn't for the butler catching on quick, you'd be playing chess with my ashes right now."

"Tell me about it. My youngest daughter's got a thing for this male model, blew three hundred grand on him. Now she's howling for me to bankroll his start-up. I mean, if he was a looker, maybe, but. Ugh, forget it. At least the Brown kid's got some decent genes."

"What's with your values, huh? A pretty face gives him the right to land his father-in-law in jail? If you ask me, he should be crawling on his knees from the Miller estate all the way here. We'll consider the matter closed once everyone's cooled off."

"Why should he crawl? His folks did get into trouble, after all. Kid's got it rough too."

As soon as the words were out, Abner whipped out a payment QR code from his side.

"Ten grand each, enough bickering. Cough it up."

The three of them fell silent, begrudgingly transferring the money.

Still, curiosity lingered.

"Abner, you really clueless about the Brown kid's ambitions? You've got a sharp eye; that's why we call you the 'old fox.'"

After pocketing the money, Abner was ready for another round of chess.

Everyone was curious, and at that moment, he spoke up.

"I'm aware. But I see some genuine interest in Carol from him. The lad’s got grit, took all the humiliation at the bottom rung without flinching. I knew right off he's meant for bigger things."

The others were instantly intrigued. "So, what then?"

"I did some digging into his past, found it tied to that old incident. Also stumbled upon a few suggestive texts my assistant sent him. That's when the Brown kid made his move."

"Assistant? You mean Manny, right?"

"Yeah, him. He's been harboring resentment for a while, hid it well. I never caught on."

Abner frowned and placed his chess piece down.

"What's that got to do with me? I didn't train the guy."

The company Felix was set to acquire was coveted by many, and their envy was palpable as it slipped into his hands.

Abner ignored their stares and sent Carol a message.

[Maybe he really did knock some screws loose. A few more days on his knees might clear his head. I hear there's heavy rain tomorrow and the day after. Don't let him get up; best he stays down till the rain stops.]

Carol sensed something off in his message.

She took it as Abner's bitterness towards Felix, feeling a pang in her heart.

[I understand, Dad.]