Sasha and Gerald were at each other’s throatsb, /bshouting like there was no tomorrow.

    Catching Tyler’s eye, Rachel gave him a quick signal. Without another word, the two of them slipped out quietly, bringing Jerry and thewyer with them.

    Even at the doorway, Sasha and Gerald’s voices still echoed from inside.

    “Old man, if that’s how you want to y it, then I’ll fight the Lloyds to the bitter end! After all the years bI /b

    poured my blood and sweat into this household, do you think you can just toss me out with a few words?

    Think again! If I take my son and leave, the Lloyds will never see him again!”

    The moment Gerald heard her threaten to take the child, he nearly jumped out of his skin.

    “Don’t you dare! If you try to take that boy away, don’t me the Lloyds for being ruthless. And don’t

    think the Zieglers backing you means you can rest easy. Do you really believe Howard is doing this for you? He’s after Rachel! Or have you already forgotten about Sheryn Lyons?”

    Gerald had overheard bits and pieces before–how Sheryn had flipped her testimony in court, which was

    the only reason Rachel still hadn’t been able to take Howard down. Instead, the Ziegler family had turned it against her, using her and Tyler of intentional assault.

    That case would drag on for ages if it really went to trial.

    As for Shery, betraying Tyler had sealed her fate. Tyler had cut off all support, leaving her and her family

    to fend for themselves.

    Howard, true to form, had used her and tossed her aside without a second thought. Everyone knew she

    wouldn’tst long under his thumb.

    Sasha knew all of this, but she had no other choice. Without Howard, she didn’t stand a chance.

    Her eyes bulged, her voice turning shrill and venomous.

    “This is all your fault! You forced me into this!”

    But Gerald didn’t even bother looking at her.

    “Don’t put this on us. You’re the one who got greedy. Had you stayed in your ce, the Lloyds wouldn’t have cast you out. But no–you wanted it all for yourself. Swallow the entire Lloyd fortune whole? Careful that you don’t choke on it!”

    Blinded by desperation, Sasha couldn’t hear a word of reason. To her, every sentence out of Gerald’s mouth was just another attempt ito /ideny her a share of the Lloyd wealth.

    She turned, eyes shing, to where Howard sat sprawled in a chair like a lord. Moving toward him with a sickly–sweet smile, she asked almost pleadingly, “Mr. Howard, you really will help me, won’t you? I have

    nowhere else to turn. Please, you have to help me.”

    Howard crossed one leg over the other, loungingzily as he picked at his ear with his pinky.

    “Rx. Rachel’s enemies are my friends. Don’t worry. I don’t need anything from you. I just enjoy going

    against that woman. The worse her life gets, the happier I am.”

    Gerald, still hoping to calm things down, tried to step in with a gentler tone.

    “Mr. Howard, I know our family doesn’t have your kind of power, but we’ve known each other for years.

    For my sake, can’t you let this go? You’ve seen for yourself. Rachel is stubborn and doesn’t even spare her

    own family. Forcing her won’t do you any good. Some things just aren’t worth it.”

    What Gerald didn’t realize was that every wordnded like a p in the face. Howard despised being

    lectured.

    He mmed the table, shot to his feet, and jabbed a finger in Gerald’s face.

    “Who the hell do you think you are? Pointing fingers at me? Old man, you were unlucky enough to get saddled with a disaster like Rachel. Best get her on her knees before me and beg for mercy. Once I’m done dealing with Tyler, it’ll be your turn next!”