Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 1008

"You're playing with fire, gambling with the trust of the nation and the future of the Hawkins family as if you're striking a deal with the devil itself!

Once you make a pact with the underworld, you become nothing more than a pawn in their game, and Hawkins Sea-freight will no longer be under the control of the Hawkins family!

You know this, yet you still proceed!

For your own gain, you disregard the welfare of your future generations. It's despicable and utterly reprehensible!"

The elder's words turned the faces of everyone in the room a shade of deep red, one of them getting particularly heated,

"Don’t lecture us on morals. We came here to offer you an opportunity, not to beg for your approval!

If you play along, not only will we avoid a fallout, but you’ll also save your own face!

But if you keep being stubborn, you won’t just lose Hawkins Sea-freight, but your dignity too. Heck, you might even put your own life on the line! You know exactly the tight spot you're in!"

The threat in the speaker’s eyes was palpable.

Clayton furrowed his brows, well aware that his position was precarious.

With only a 40% share in his grasp, while they held 45%.

Turning the tide seemed impossible unless...

Carl spoke up, calm and collected,

"Brother, you can't turn this situation around. I know that 15% is with Irene. If she could come back, you'd win hands down. But ask yourself, can Irene really return?"

Clayton turned to his brother, fuming,

"Did you spill the beans about the 15% to them?!"

Originally, he had 70% of Hawkins Sea-freight.

Clayton was visibly shaken, chest heaving with anger, but Carl remained indifferent,

"Big brother is like a father. With dad gone, it was your duty to look after me. Giving me 10% was the least you could do. I didn't even ask for half, which is more than generous."

"You..."

"Let's not dwell on the past. Focus on the now. Irene has been missing for over twenty years; she's probably long gone. Denying it won't change anything.

All these years, running around the globe, building docks in her name, what a waste of resources and energy on someone who’s most likely dead. You’d have been better off lining your own pockets for retirement."

Clayton gasped for air, "Irene is your niece, for heaven's sake. You’re actually hoping she’s dead?!"

Carl just shrugged,

"I’m not hoping she's dead; I'm stating the obvious. She has no chance of being alive. Brother, it’s time to be pragmatic. What’s the harm in a little smuggling? If we keep it quiet, who’s to know? Make a few generous donations later, and the public will still hail you as a philanthropist."