Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 1009

Clayton was livid, his anger boiling over.

"All those lessons your folks drummed into you, might as well have been told to a brick wall! You good-for-nothing!"

Carl's face darkened with rage.

"You had the whole highway to yourself, but no, you chose the tightrope. Go ahead, be that way. I've said my piece. I've done my duty as a brother. Just don't come crying to me for help later on! My conscience is clear, and I'm out!"

With a scoff, Carl stood up and left.

The rest followed suit, their egos inflated, eyes filled with resentment and scorn.

"Fine, if you'd rather face the music than enjoy the feast, see you at the shareholders' meeting in three days!"

They seemed to forget, who had been footing their bills all these years?

And who was it that single-handedly founded Hawkins Sea-freight?

They were living off Clayton's hard work, yet now they dared to lord over him!

Greedy and cold-hearted!

Nothing but wolves in sheep's clothing!

Clayton remained seated, his lips pressed thin, his facial muscles trembling with fury.

His assistant wanted to offer some words of comfort but couldn't find the right words.

Clayton was a man of courage and integrity, loyal and true-hearted. Yet, look where he found himself now!

His daughter missing, his wife lost to her own mind, betrayed by his own kin!

He had nurtured the Hawkins family for years, only for them to turn against him!

A classic tale of the farmer and the viper!

The only hope to turn things around now was for his daughter to return.

But could she? It seemed a forlorn hope...

The next day, just as dawn was breaking, Tarquin and Elysia arrived at Oceanopolis airport.

"Let's head to Dock 1 first!" Elysia said as soon as they disembarked.

Dock 1 was where she had disappeared as a child. She had heard that her mother went there every day to wait for her.

Her mother would arrive before dawn and leave only at sunset, come rain or shine.

Eager to see her, Elysia couldn't wait.

Tarquin understood her feelings. "Okay!"

He arranged for the bodyguards to take their luggage to the hotel they had booked in advance and then took Elysia and the kids to Dock 1.

On the way, the children chattered excitedly, curious about the new city and looking forward to meeting their grandparents.

Elysia was silent, her fists clenched tight, clearly nervous.

Tarquin took her hand into his, warming it, trying to ease her tension.