His Ex-Wife Is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus) novel Chapter 870

"Suri? Why are you here?" Zachary's heart skipped a beat, his face turning pale in an instant.

Despite their rocky past, including the time Suri had slapped his face, seeing his beloved still stirred something within him, his gaze burning as it fixed on her stunning visage.

"With all that's happened, you must be run off your feet, too caught up to even think about dad."

Suri put down her bowl, tenderly picking up a napkin to wipe York's mouth, not sparing Zachary a glance. "Even though I've married out and you've never accepted Emeric, I'm still a daughter of the Bright family. It would be heartless not to come back at a time like this."

Zachary's brow furrowed, suspicion clouding his mind.

"Suri, thank you for coming to see me."

York's eyes were misty, his grasp on his daughter's hand tight as if bestowing a heavy duty, "I was too harsh on you before, got too stubborn about things. It led us to misunderstand each other for so many years, standing off for so long. I don't know if I'll ever have the chance to make things right."

"Dad, what's done is done. I've never held a grudge. Blood is thicker than water, after all. You'll always be my father, and we'll always be family."

To Zachary, the phrase "blood is thicker than water" sounded incredibly grating!

In the end, Suri was the true blood relative to York. Their sudden reconciliation made him feel even more like an outsider!

York spoke softly, "Suri, you've had a long day. Head back first. I have something to discuss with Zachary."

As Suri stood up, she gave Zachary a cold, sharp glance that sent shivers down his spine.

The door closed, and the fleeting warmth vanished.

"What are you going to do about Warner?" York's voice trembled as he asked.

Zachary clenched his teeth, resolutely responding, "Dad, now that Warner's been caught, with all evidence against him, there's no turning this around. Given the circumstances, I think it's crucial for the Bright group to immediately distance ourselves from Warner! We must deny any involvement with the smuggling of contraband!"

York was visibly shocked, "What are you saying?! Are you suggesting we completely abandon Warner?! He's your own son!"

"He may be my son, but his actions have severely compromised the Bright group's interests. He's like a ticking time bomb, a cancer! If we don't cut him loose, the entire Bright group will go down with him!" Zachary's determination was clear, as if the person about to face prison wasn't his son but a disposable pawn.

York was stunned, staring at the man before him with a ghastly expression.

The son he had painstakingly raised for forty years now felt like a stranger.

"If you still consider me your father, answer me truthfully!"

York mustered all his strength for a serious inquiry, "Did you know about Warner's drug smuggling? Were you involved?!"

Without skipping a beat, Zachary responded, "No, Warner was blinded by greed and took a wrong turn. I had no knowledge of his shady dealings."

"At this point, you're still lying to me!"

York, using his last ounce of strength, threw a bowl from the bedside table at Zachary. It missed its mark, splattering porridge all over him.

Eggs and porridge, life truly couldn't get any worse!

Zachary's anger erupted, his face turning red, "Dad! What are you doing?!"

"Over the past several months, Warner has been making monthly deposits into your account, and that money found its way to the company's accounts within days! And that warehouse where the drugs were found, Warner's barely been in the business for a few years. How would he know about that place if not for your instructions?!"

With the truth out, Zachary dropped the act, his laugh cold and sinister, "So what if I condoned it?"

"Zachary! Do you realize what you're doing? You're trafficking drugs, pushing the Bright group into the fire!" York was livid, shaking uncontrollably.

"You’re wrong! I did it to save the Bright group!"

Zachary stood tall, devoid of any remorse or guilt in his eyes, "Do you think our company's doing well? Our medicine sales have declined year after year, with losses in the billions. The Alzheimer's research project ran out of funds long ago! If not for Warner's idea, our company's funds would have dried up six months ago! So, in a way, you should thank me. Without me, the Bright group wouldn't have survived till today!"

"Stop talking nonsense, you beast!"

York clutched his chest, furious, "Even if the Bright family went bankrupt, even if we had to beg on the streets, we should never resort to such heinous acts!"

Zachary sneered, "Pretentious morality."

York was beside himself with anger, "Beast! Ungrateful son! You've not only destroyed the Bright group but your own son as well! Warner was such a good kid, and you corrupted him! Chasel has disowned you as well! Zachary, you've disappointed me beyond words! You're unworthy of being the Bright group's heir!"

"Unworthy? Then who is? Chasel, who's involved with Cassius, or Suri, who tarnished our family's reputation by becoming Emeric's mistress?"

Zachary looked disdainfully at the elderly man, too exhausted to argue further, and left:

"Dad, you've had no choice for a long time. The heir to the Bright group can only be me!"

Back home, Zachary, feeling like he'd just shed ten years of servitude, slumped into his couch wrapped in a bathrobe and poured himself a whiskey.

For years, he'd played the role of the dutiful son to perfection, but now, after his fallout with York, he found himself oddly relieved, as if a burden had been lifted.

She immediately sought out Suri, who had just finished giving Emeric his medication.

"Suri, did you visit Mr. York Bright? How is he?" Evadne whispered, concern lacing her words.

"It's not looking good."

Suri held Evadne's hand, her eyes rimmed with red. "Evadne, I've just told Emeric, and now that you're here, you should know too. The Bright Group is at a crossroads, and I might have to step in to help my father manage things."

"Suri, you made up?" Evadne asked, eyes wide.

"Yeah. Pathetic, right?" Suri managed a bitter laugh.

"Not at all! I'm thrilled you're reconciling with your family!"

Evadne's eyes gleamed with joy. "I was afraid you'd be stuck in the past, unable to move forward. That you're taking this step, I, Emeric, Thaddeus, Chasel - we all stand with you. The Ashbourne family is your backbone, not your chain. Go for it, and don't worry. Even if Emeric's headstrong, we've got your back!"

"Thank you." Suri hugged Evadne, tears sliding down her cheeks.

"And, what role will you be taking at The Bright Group?" Evadne couldn't help but ask. "Zachary's the current chairman, right? Are you stepping into Warner's shoes? The Ashbournes don't settle for second best. Make sure Mr. Bright gets that."

Suri bit her lip, determination in her gaze. "My dad wants me to take over The Bright Group. He's asked me to replace Zachary as the heir."

Evadne was stunned. York, despite his love for his daughter, wasn't known for progressive views like Emeric's. Displacing Zachary was a drastic step.

Could it be that Zachary had done something illegal?

"If I had my way, I'd stay out of it, content with looking after Emeric and the kids. But I've suggested Chasel for the task. He might not know the ropes yet, but The Bright Group needs us to weather this storm."

"Has Mr. Bright discussed this with Zachary yet?" Evadne asked, curiosity piqued.

Suri shook her head. "I don't know. Zachary was there this afternoon. I don’t know whether they talked about this."

"Suri, this doesn't bode well. We need to increase security at the hospital, ensure Mr. York Bright's safety!"

Suri's heart sank, a cold realization dawning on her.

"But we've gotta be sneaky, can't tip them off. Everything's gotta happen under the radar!" Evadne's eyes sparkled with a cunning light, a master plan forming in her mind to nab them all in one fell swoop.