Chapter 280 - : Declaration of War

Translator: Atlas Studios  Editor: Atlas Studios

The word ‘betrayal’ didn’t exist in Finn Taylor’s dictionary. A traitor was no different from a dead man to him.

People were either on his side or dead. He would never let off anyone who betrayed him—not even once.

“Finn, Willow Stone…” Finally, Yvette Larson mentioned her best friend’s name, yet she stopped herself. She didn’t know what to say.

“Yvette, everyone has their own free will.” Finn Taylor didn’t know how to comfort his wife. He knew that she had to be feeling heartbroken. After all, Willow Stone was one of her best friends!

Why did she, of all people, have to betray her?

…

San Francisco, Willow Stone’s apartment.

Clarine Landon glared at the other. “Willow Stone.”

She smiled. “Why do you have to raise your voice? I’m not deaf. Just call me Willow—there’s no need to be so formal.”

Clarine Landon—who was normally loud and rambunctious—couldn’t force a smile out. “Do you think you’re worthy of being called Willow now?”

“Why? Are you going to sever all ties with me for Yvette Larson’s sake?”

“The three of us are best friends. Why did you betray her?”

Willow Stone chuckled. “Well, it’s her fault for being Finn Taylor’s wife.”

“Finn Taylor?” Clarine Landon was stunned for a moment when she heard that name.

“Clarine Landon, stop acting. Do you really think I can’t tell that you like him too? It’s just that you’re too dumb. You clearly like him, but you don’t dare to fight for him. I’m different—I’m going to fight for him. Am I wrong for doing that?”

“B-but he’s your best friend’s husband. How can you do that?” Clarine Landon stared at the other, feeling as though the woman sitting in front of her was no more than a stranger.

“Don’t look at me like that. Do you really think you’re that righteous? You like your best friend’s husband too. The only difference is that I’m acting on it.”

Clarine Landon left, completely disappointed. She knew that her relationship with Willow Stone was irreparable.

She had to make a choice between Willow Stone and Yvette Larson. Of course, her choice was naturally Yvette Larson.

…

The news of the Mercy Charity Gala spread like wildfire in San Francisco.

Many knew about how the Larson family had humiliated countless families in the city. Naturally, Quince Larson and Eleanor Larson had heard of it too.

“Hahaha, the heavens are really on my side. Is Yvette Larson stupid? She offended everyone in high society in just one day!” Quince Larson gleefully headed for the Smith family’s residence with his cousin.

Vincent Smith’s residence.

Of course, Quince Larson was rejected at the gate because he was a Larson too.

Quince Larson quickly explained, “Please don’t misunderstand me, Mr. Smith. I’m just like you—I hate Yvette Larson to her guts. She was the one who killed my grandpa and snatched the position of family head. I’m the eldest grandson of the Larson family, but she was the one who became family head in the end! I’m sure you can imagine just how much I hate her.”

These words reminded Vincent Smith about the rumors he had heard earlier. “Are you really enemies with Yvette Larson?”

“Of course. I can’t wait for that woman to die. She’s so vicious and heartless. Not only did she kill her own family, but she’s out to get the entire San Francisco.”

“That family head of yours is truly something. She thinks that all of us are dogs that aren’t even worthy of being her servants.” Vincent Smith sneered.

The image of him kneeling to her was still fresh in his mind.

“Mr. Smith, there’s no way Yvette Larson can replace the Larson family. I’m the eldest grandson of the family, and the family supports me too. In a few days’ time, I’m going to hold a family meeting to select a new family head. I hope that you’ll attend it too.”

Vincent Smith had thought of simply ignoring the other, but this invitation piqued his interest. “Selecting a new family head? Are you confident of beating Yvette Larson?”

“Of course. I’m only holding this meeting because I have full confidence in winning.”

“Alright. I’ll be there.” Vincent Smith had already set his mind on attending the meeting. Not only was he going, but he was even going to bring his friends along.

‘Things are getting fun. I haven’t even done anything, and the Larson family is already embroiled in a tussle.’

…

The very next day after the charity gala, the Willow Corporation opened in San Francisco.

It dealt only with external investments, and it surpassed all other companies in San Francisco in a short span of time to become the top company in the city.

Of course, the emergence of such a company threw the entire business circle into a frenzy. ‘What’s going on? Who’s this woman? Why is her company suddenly doing so well?‘

Everyone knew exactly what Willow Stone had done at the charity gala, but the latter had just beaten all the other companies in San Francisco.

‘Does that mean that she’s going to suppress the Gold family too? What will happen to us when the Gold family is gone then? How will we face the Larson family?’ All the businessmen in the city couldn’t help but worry for themselves.

As such, an alliance was established with Vincent Smith leading the group in hopes of surviving this crisis.

At the same time, trouble was brewing within the Gold Corporation too.

Kimberly Gold was seated at the head of the table as the others were in a heated discussion.

“Ms. Gold, the Larson family seems to be on good terms with us on the surface, but they deliberately provoked those renowned figures at the charity gala. It’s obvious that they’re trying to use those people to kill us.”

“They’re trying to sow discord between us, but we’re not that stupid!”

Kimberly Gold didn’t want to go against Yvette Larson because she knew that that meant going against Finn Taylor. As such, she spoke up for Yvette Larson. “I don’t think so. I’m quite close to Yvette, and they wouldn’t do that.”

Her employees laughed. “Ms. Gold, you can’t judge a book by its cover.. You might treat her as a friend, but who knows what she thinks of you? If she really doesn’t mean to go against us, what’s with Willow Corporation? Yesterday, she offended all of our acquaintances. Today, she even established an even more influential company! This is clearly a declaration of war!”