Chapter 346
“Phillip, what’s going on?” Anthony asked, unable to hide his concern as he noticed the rare look of panic and regret on Phillip’s face.
“Phillip?” Jonathan and Sarah called out in confusion.
However, within a split second, their attention was back on Calvin, and they began speaking all at once. “Phillip, you have to help Calvin out. He’s the future heir of our family.”
“Exactly, Phillip. With Calvin and Dad managing the company, you can focus on the school and hospital without worries. If we can’t get him out of this unscathed, it’ll damage our family’s reputation, and you’ll be the one affected the most.”
“No matter what, we need to get Calvin acquitted and force Dwayne to publicly apologize. Better yet, get him dismissed and sent back to Vaporleon City.”
To the people of Iverton, Vaporleon City was nothing more than a backward hole.
Their hatred for that place stemmed mainly from the fact that Lea was from there.
“Phillip, have you already come up with a plan? We’ll follow your lead. What should we do now?”
They kept chattering incessantly, their words pouring into Phillip’s ears like a relentless tide, making his head throb with frustration. His anger boiled within him like molten lava, ready to erupt. If it weren’t for his exceptional self–control, he would’ve lost his temper long ago.
Years ago, the Tanner family quickly amassed wealth, seizing opportunities in real estate, the internet, and electronics, largely thanks to the marriage alliance with the Clark family.
However, in the past decade or two, Jonathan and Sarah had grown increasingly arrogant and complacent, contributing little to the Tanner family’s success.
The family’s recent growth was entirely due to the resources Phillip had maneuvered from the school and hospital.
Jonathan and Sarah had become reckless, leading to Calvin’s current predicament, where he was publicly disgraced and caught in such a scandal.
Yet, they still dared to think they could inherit the family’s vast fortune. ‘Where do they get such confidence?‘ Phillip wondered bitterly.
It was all because Calvin was the eldest grandson of the Tanner family, and Anthony had always favored him and his branch of the family.
If only Phillip’s son were still alive, he’d be almost twenty by now, old enough to shoulder the family’s responsibilities.
But now, Phillip was left with only a fifteen–year–old daughter, too young to take any part in the family affairs.
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Chapter 34h
The thought filled him with a surge of resentment, nearly choking him.
“Jonathan, Sarah, you know Calvin better than anyone. The most urgent task is to find a way to resolve this issue and silence the rumors online. If the public keeps digging, it’ll spell real trouble for the Tanner family. Phillip said, his tone commanding and resolute.
Jonathan and Sarah were momentarily stunned.
Sarah shot to her feet, her voice sharp with accusation. “Phillip, what do you mean by that? Are you saying you don’t want to handle Calvin’s mess?”
“Exactly, Phillip.” Jonathan couldn’t hold back any longer. “At the end of the day, we’re all family. Calvin and Dad run the company while you handle the school and hospital. It’s this mutual support that’s brought the Tanner family to where it is today. If Calvin takes a hit, it’ll affect you too.
“Phillip,” Sarah added, her tone laced with accusation. “Let’s not forget it was your mismanagement that caused those huge problems at the school and hospital, costing the Tanner family dearly. Could what’s happening to Calvin now be the work of those same people, aiming to get at you?”
Anthony’s frown deepened as he glanced at Phillip.
Born with a bias, Anthony had spent most of his life living in luxury and indulging his whims, growing even more egocentric with age. NôvelDrama.Org exclusive content.
Jonathan, being the eldest son, was Anthony’s favorite. He groomed Jonathan as the family’s heir.
The early part of Jonathan’s life, bolstered by his marriage alliance, indeed propelled the family to new heights, much to Anthony’s satisfaction.
When Calvin was born, Anthony immediately envisioned him as the next successor, keeping him close and raising him as such.
If Calvin’s current predicament was connected to this, and Phillip intended to wash his hands of it, that was simply out of the question.
Phillip took a deep breath, feeling the resentment flare up within him like a blazing fire.
For years, Jonathan’s family had climbed over him, extracting everything they could, all while Anthony supported their domination over him.
“Jonathan, Sarah, why are you in such a hurry? What I meant was, what exactly happened with Calvin? Is what the news is reporting true?” he asked.
Only then did the others shift their focus, their expressions darkening.
Sarah’s face was particularly grim. “Phillip, what are you implying? The news is full of baseless rumors. Calvin is an outstanding young man, constantly pursued by women who would stop at nothing to get into his bed, using the most despicable tricks.”
“And besides, the Tanner family has plenty of enemies…” Sarah’s gaze sharpened as she looked at Phillip, her words laden with meaning.
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She was thinking, Phillip has made a lot of enemies out there. The losses at the school and Conrad University were all caused by him, dragging us down with him!
Just a few days ago, she had attended a socialite gathering where her usual high status had been downgraded, and she was subjected to sneers and tamts from rival wives she never got along with.
Sarah paused before continuing, “The Tanner family has countless rivals in the business world, any of whom would love to see Calvin brought down. There’s definitely more to this than meets the eye.”
She was convinced that Calvin was innocent, that he was above all of this, and that the women who had suffered at his hands were merely unscrupulous climbers who had gotten what they deserved.
“Exactly,” Jonathan confirmed confidently. “This has to be something other than Calvin’s fault. He’s never been the type to… well, you know. And besides, just look at the work Calvin has done for the company over the years. He’s spearheaded several major projects and made a lot of money for us. His business acumen is top–notch.”
Anthony remained silent, his thoughts focused. Calvin was the brilliant successor he had groomed, the one who could elevate the Tanner family to even greater heights.
As for everything else, Anthony couldn’t care less.
“If that’s the case, Jonathan, Sarah, make sure to get the media team on this right away. Under no circumstances should there be any more negative press about Calvin,” Phillip ordered, “This matter. needs to be thoroughly investigated. Make sure the deceased’s family is taken care of. If they can speak out in support of Calvin, even better. I’ll have Noah come over to assist. We’ll figure out the details as we go.”
Hearing this, Jonathan and Sarah finally breathed a sigh of relief. Noah was Phillip’s personal secretary, a man with remarkable skills. He had resolved some of the family’s biggest crises in the
past.
“Thank you, Phillip. When Calvin comes back, he’ll make sure to thank you properly.” Jonathan smiled.
Anthony’s expression softened, and he gently reminded them. “Listen to Phillip’s instructions carefully.”
“Of course, Dad, we will.”
At Conrad University, the early morning campus was bathed in sunlight under a clear blue sky, with pristine snow blanketing the ground. The scene was picturesque.
Freshmen mostly attended general lectures during their first semester.
Lea and Shannon were on their way to a large lecture hall when they were suddenly pushed aside.
It was Leona and her entourage, with Abigail at the center. She was dressed in a luxurious white down coat over a winter lace dress, the hem peeking out from beneath the coat, exuding elegance
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and opulence.
Leona, on the other hand, was decked out in a gaudy purple fur coat, adorned with gold and silver jewelry. It was as if she feared Shannon might statch away the Moore family’s wealth, so she felt compelled to wear all her riches at once, looking even more garish in the process.
Their followers were also dressed to attract attention.
As they shoved their way through, Shannon, being slight of frame, stumbled and fell against Lea. Lea caught her just in time, helping her regain her balance.
Lea’s brows furrowed as a surge of anger rose within her.
She looked up, her gaze fixed on Abigail ahead, her smile tinged with a hint of malice. ‘Her methods are quite something. She’s bullying everyone but always maintains this high and noble image!
“Abigail, have you heard? Calvin was caught at the bar last night in some scandalous situation. Haven’t you checked on him?” Lea’s tone filled with mock.
The room fell silent in shock, the atmosphere abruptly tense.
Abigail, who had one foot already inside the classroom, froze mid–step.
The students trailing behind her were caught off guard, couldn’t stop in time, and crashed into her.
“Ah!”
Thud!
She fell to the floor, her face hitting the ground, limbs splayed out awkwardly.
Others behind her also lost their balance and inadvertently stepped on her. “Ah.”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to. I couldn’t stop in time and ended up stepping on you,” someone apologized.
The crowd gasped in disbelief, their mouths agape.
Abigail had fallen publicly, and the position was far from dignified, resembling a dog crawling on the floor.
To make matters worse, she was stepped on several times, her predicament both pitiable and
absurd.