Chapter 639
With the account book in hand, Ken was on the verge of taking full control of Pearly Antiques. Once Ramon eased up, Pearly Antiques would be Ken’s. Letting go of such a lucrative opportunity was almost physically painful for Ulric. But compared to the issue with the malicious doctors, Pearly Antiques was insignificant.
“If he refuses, tell him I’m not going to fight him for Pearly Antiques,” Ulric instructed.
Conor wiped the sweat from his forehead. “May I ask why you’re going this far? Did something happen?” He wondered, ‘I owed this position to Ulric; even a fool could see that. But now that Ulric is handing Pearly Antiques to Ken, what am I supposed to do? Switch sides to Ken? There is no guarantee Ken would keep me. Continue relying on Ulric? How can I, when Pearly Antiques will soon belong to Ken?’
Ulric’s cold voice came through the phone. “Don’t pry into matters that aren’t your concern.” He paused before adding, “Once Ken officially takes over Pearly Antiques, I’ll find you another suitable position. Don’t worry, you won’t starve.”
Only then did Conor feel reassured. “Don’t worry, sir. I’ll get this done.”
After the call ended, Conor collapsed onto the couch, limbs feeling like jelly. Everyone in Silverlake thought Ulric was a gentleman, but those of them who worked for him knew the truth, he was much harder to please than Ken. Conor’s thoughts began to waver, considering aligning with Ken, but he didn’t dare act on it until the situation truly turned dire.
Conor was a distant relative of Astrid, and it didn’t take long for her to catch wind of the situation. She quickly went to Ulric. “Ulric, why are you giving up Pearly Antiques? Your dad promised it to me!”
Ulric’s eyes turned icy. “Conor’s loose lips, no doubt.”
“Don’t blame him. He needed the account book and they’re in my hands now. If he hadn’t told me, how would he have gotten them?”
Ulric frowned deeply. “When did the account book end up with you?”
“I’ve been eyeing Pearly Antiques for ages. That woman left behind such a valuable asset, I’ve been dreaming of getting it. Now that Conor’s finally in charge, what’s wrong with me taking over the account book for a while?” Astrid spoke with unsettling confidence.
Ulric’s expression darkened further. “Does Dad know about this?”
“He doesn’t.”
“It had better stay that way! If he finds out Conor is in that position because of us, he’ll start suspecting both of us immediately! Don’t forget. He’s not even thinking of retiring yet. He’s more cautious of us than he is of any outside competitor!”
Astrid started to panic. “I… He doesn’t know. I’m not stupid enough to let him find out.”
Ulric’s expression softened slightly. “He knows one of my weaknesses, and Pearly Antiques is my bargaining chip.”
“A weakness?” Astrid’s face went pale. “What kind of weakness?”
“That’s not for you to worry about. Just know that in the grand scheme of things, Pearly Antiques is insignificant.” Ulric had no intention of telling Astrid about the situation with the malicious doctors. Astrid might have a sharp mind, but she lacked foresight, and no one knew what rash actions she might take if she knew the truth.
Ulric had already prepared a cover story, anticipating that Astrid might press him for details, but his concern was unnecessary.
Astrid turned even paler when she learned that Ken had leverage over Ulric. She grabbed Ulric’s sleeve and asked, “What are we going to do? Ken’s been out to get us for ages, and he’s made no secret of it. Do you think he’ll give up Pearly Antiques just to use your weakness to get your dad to kick us out of the house?”
A vein throbbed in Ulric’s forehead. “It’s not as bad as you’re imagining.”
Even in the worst-case scenario, if Ken has a sudden change of heart and decides to give up on Pearly Antiques, and goes straight to Dad and exposes Regina’s secret, Dad won’t turn his back on his own son without concrete evidence. Unless, of course, Regina is foolish enough to tell the Special Task Force about my involvement with Jennie. Only then, if the Special Task Force comes after me, will Dad consider disowning me, Ulric analyzed the situation in his mind, ‘But Regina can’t be that stupid. Admitting to being one of the malicious doctors would be a death sentence, and everyone in Halcyon knows that. Still, if Ken does go down that path, it will damage my image as the good son in Dad’s eyes, which is why I have to make the painful decision to stop fighting Ken for Pearly Antiques.’
Astrid was still crying. Her fear of Ken was bone-deep, and she was terrified, repeatedly saying she would hand the account book back to Conor immediately.
Ulric’s headache intensified from her crying. “Enough! If you want to cry, do it in your room!”
Astrid forced herself to stop, her eyes red as she asked, “Ulric, do you really think Ken will want Pearly Antiques?”
“He only cares about one thing. Do you think he’ll accept? Just wait. Hand the account book over to Conor and keep your mouth shut. Go back to your usual activities, and don’t breathe a word of this.”
Astrid nodded. Ulric was her anchor, and if he wasn’t panicking, she couldn’t afford to panic either. She needed to stay calm. Taking a deep breath, tears still in her eyes, she left the room.
As soon as she was gone, a figure stepped out from behind the curtains. It was Jennie. Jennie immediately said to Ulric, “I’m so sorry, Mr. Swanson. This is all my fault.”
Ulric waved a hand dismissively. “It’s not entirely your fault. It’s that ‘wonderful daughter’ of yours. My people have already made contact with the team responsible for transporting supplies. In a couple of days, you’ll have your chance. In the meantime, prepare the medicine without leaving any traces. I’m worried that if we delay any longer, your ‘wonderful daughter’ might not make it.”
Jennie clenched her teeth, her resolve hardening. “Yes, the medicine is almost ready.” Once Jennie made up her mind, she never looked back. If Regina had to die, better it be by her own mother’s hand. “I’ll start today’s treatment now,” she said.
“Go ahead,” Ulric responded, pushing himself out of his wheelchair and walking unsteadily to the bed.
The treatment Jennie had been administering was beginning to show results. Ulric could now walk at least a hundred steps without any assistance. It wouldn’t be long before his legs were fully healed.