novelraw Chapter 200: Like His Wife Was Snatched Away
Chapter 200: Like His Wife Was Snatched Away
The hospital.
The Head of the Rivers Family finally regained consciousness.
Serena Lockwood, her face gaunt, was on the verge of tears. "Honey, you’re finally awake."
Damian Rivers immediately said, "Dad, you’re awake."
The Head of the Rivers Family looked at the two of them, taking a long moment before speaking. "What’s happening outside? What’s become of the Rivers Family?"
Serena Lockwood fell silent.
Damian Rivers said, "Dad, just focus on getting better. The Rivers Family will be fine."
Serena Lockwood quickly added, "That’s right, honey. Don’t worry about any of this. Just rest and recover. Your son and I are here for the family. Please, don’t get worked up again."
The Head of the Rivers Family already had a weak heart; the sudden, intense anger had nearly killed him.
The Head of the Rivers Family looked at his son. "Damian, the Rivers Family absolutely cannot fall like this. Under no circumstances! Do you hear me?"
"I know, Dad."
"Whatever it takes, you cannot let the Rivers Family fall." As he spoke, the Head of the Rivers Family suddenly started coughing.
"Dad!" Damian Rivers replied at once. "I know. I won’t let the Rivers Family fall like this. Don’t worry, I definitely won’t."
After a long moment, the Head of the Rivers Family caught his breath, his eyes filled with hatred. "That bastard Jasper Lockwood... Daring to strike at us so ruthlessly. We can’t let him off easy!"
At the mention of Jasper Lockwood, hatred filled Serena Lockwood’s eyes as well. ’And Old Master Lockwood... In the end, he’ll always favor his own grandson.’ She had gone to the old master to admit her fault and beg for mercy, hoping he would, for old times’ sake, tell Jasper to let them off the hook. But the old master wouldn’t even see her.
’In the eyes of everyone in the Lockwood Family, I’m still just an outsider.’
The Head of the Rivers Family was weak; after being awake for a short while, he fell asleep again.
Serena Lockwood called Damian Rivers outside. "Damian, have you made up your mind? The Rivers Family absolutely cannot fall like this. You have to make a decision."
Damian Rivers said in a low voice, "Mom, you don’t need to worry about this anymore. I have my own plans."
"What do you mean, I don’t need to worry about it? How can I not? If the Rivers Family is finished, what place will we have left in Crestfall? All those rich heirs you used to keep in line will be walking all over you. Do you want to live like that? Damian, now is not the time for romance. You have to use Chloe Sterling."
"Mom, don’t you get it? If you hadn’t targeted Chloe Sterling in the first place, you wouldn’t have angered Jasper Lockwood, and the Rivers Family wouldn’t be in this situation!"
Hearing this, Serena Lockwood’s face paled. She hadn’t expected this outcome either.
"Damian, are you blaming me?"
"What’s the use in blaming you?" Damian Rivers took a deep breath and said earnestly, "Mom, I won’t let the Rivers Family fall. As for how I’m going to do it, just stay out of it and take good care of Dad."
After a moment of silence, Serena Lockwood asked, "Do you have a plan, then?"
Damian Rivers: "Yes."
"What is it?"
Damian Rivers pressed his lips together and said nothing.
Serena Lockwood continued, "I can stay out of it, but you could at least let me know, right?"
Damian Rivers looked at her and said slowly, "You don’t need to know." He paused, glanced at his father in the hospital bed, and added, "Just watch over Dad. I’m going out for a bit."
"Where are you going?"
Damian Rivers didn’t answer.
Serena Lockwood grabbed his hand. "I don’t mean anything by it, I’m just worried about you. Be careful."
"I know." Damian Rivers pulled his hand back and walked out of the hospital.
Watching her son’s retreating figure, Serena Lockwood felt a mix of hurt and resentment.
She was an ambitious woman. She liked to wield power, not be a docile woman standing behind a man.
After leaving the hospital, Damian Rivers went straight to the Sinclair Residence.
Inside the study.
Tristan Sinclair asked, "How is Uncle Rivers?"
"He’s awake now," Damian Rivers said.
"What are you planning to do next?"
Damian Rivers pulled over a chair and sat down. "What else can I do? Same as you—take power and end this fight."
"You..." Tristan Sinclair watched him, hesitating for a moment before asking, "You’re not thinking of getting revenge on Jasper Lockwood?"
Damian Rivers gave a helpless quirk of his lips. "Look at the state of the Rivers Family. Do you think I’m in any position to get revenge on him right now? It’ll be a miracle if I can just keep the family afloat. But I do need your help."
Tristan Sinclair said, "Name it."
Damian Rivers said directly, "I need a sum of capital. I have to keep the corporation running. Jasper Lockwood won’t touch your funds so easily."
Tristan Sinclair said, "Don’t worry. As long as you don’t start anything, he won’t make another move. But if your mother tries anything again, even my funds won’t guarantee he’ll stand down."
Damian Rivers: "I know. I’ll keep an eye on them. The most important thing right now is to save the Rivers Family."
Tristan Sinclair nodded. "As long as you understand."
「The Lockwood Residence.」
Old Master Lockwood sighed softly. "I was wrong about her. But Jasper, don’t drive the Rivers Family into a corner. Leave them an out."
Jasper Lockwood said nothing, his lips pressed into a thin line.
The old master continued, "I know you’re angry, but you’ve already taught them a severe lesson. You should always leave some leeway. If you really annihilate the Rivers Family, you might stir up resentment from the other families. You can’t just destroy them all. Besides, you and Tristan Sinclair get along well, don’t you? The Sinclairs and the Rivers have been family friends for generations. Just consider it doing Tristan a favor."
Jasper Lockwood’s lips parted slightly as he said coolly, "I’ll handle it."
"Good. Grandpa trusts you to know what you’re doing. By the way, where’s Chloe? Why isn’t she back yet?"
The thought of Chloe Sterling being with Silas Coldwell made Jasper Lockwood’s expression shift. He took a long moment to reply, "She’s busy with something. She should be back soon."
"Oh." Old Master Lockwood nodded. "Speaking of which, the Nocturne Group people ended up helping you by chance this time. If they hadn’t captured Lynn Chester in Country E, Chloe really would have been misunderstood. Who knows how much trouble that would have caused."
Jasper Lockwood’s eyes darkened. ’I don’t need help from the Nocturne Group.’ He’d had his own plan all along. If Chloe hadn’t gone to Silas Coldwell so quickly, the matter wouldn’t have fallen to him in the first place.
Old Master Lockwood suddenly chuckled. "You have some history with that Coldwell fellow, don’t you? If he knew he’d accidentally helped you, he’d probably be furious."
Jasper Lockwood: "..."
’In fact, he was the one who was about to die of anger right now.’
Seeing his grandson’s expression grow increasingly sour, Old Master Lockwood paused, confused. "What’s with that face? Everything’s been resolved, so why do you still look so unhappy?"
Jasper Lockwood: "I am happy. Why wouldn’t I be happy!"
Old Master Lockwood: "You don’t look happy. You look like someone stole your wife."
Jasper Lockwood: "..."
Standing to the side, Henry Chamberlain almost burst out laughing.
’The old master really hit the nail on the head. It was practically the same as having his wife stolen.’
Jasper Lockwood shot him a sidelong glare. A chill ran down Henry Chamberlain’s spine, and he immediately stood up straight. Just then, he noticed a familiar figure outside the window and quickly announced, "The madam is back."