âI have⦠some things to take care of at home, I need to head back first. Call me if thereâs anything.â
âAh, I still have soup on the stove back home.â
Seeing that the Locke family had lost all hope, several quick-witted family members successively made various excuses and left the Locke family.
In the blink of an eye, the once lively Locke family mansion was left with only the grandfather and his two grandsons.
Looking at the empty living room, Jeffrey Locke was overcome with fury and spat out a mouthful of fresh blood; then his eyes rolled back, and he passed out once again.
âDadâ¦â
âGrandfather.â
More than half an hour later, Jeffrey Locke slowly came to, his previously robust self now weak and breathless.
His jaundiced face was devoid of any color, and his lifeless eyes wandered around the room blankly.
âGrandfather, youâre awake?â
Ethan was sitting by the bed. Seeing his grandfather wake up, his face immediately lit up with joy.
âWhere⦠where am I?â Jeffrey Lockeâs hoarse voice rang out.
Ethan hurriedly said, âGrandfather, youâre at Jamae Hospital. You just fainted again. Fortunately, the ambulance arrived in time, otherwiseâ¦â
Jeffrey Locke, mustering his strength, asked, âHas Joe Locke come back yet?â
âMy dad⦠he hasnât come back yet.â
Ethanâs voice trembled, even carrying a hint of a sob.
Jeffrey Locke let out a long sigh, and looking at his grandson with tears on his cheeks, forced a smile and said softly, âDonât panic, what is a man crying for?â
âGrandfather, Iâ¦â
It was only now that Ethan was beginning to feel some regret.
If only he hadnât stolen Greg Jensenâs girlfriend, hadnât beaten him into an idiot, maybe none of this would have happened.
âCough coughâ¦â
Jeffrey Locke suddenly started coughing violently; his face turned oddly flushed as if he had a second wind, and he seemed much more spirited than before.
âEthan, the Locke family will be in your hands now. Your grandfather wonât be able to look after you anymore.â
âGrandfatherâ¦â
Ethanâs heart sank instantly, and he quickly said, âGrandfather, you⦠you will get better.â
âHeh heh.â
Jeffrey Locke chuckled softly, shook his head, and seemed to want to say something more, but his body suddenly stiffened, and his somewhat cloudy eyes gradually dimmed.
âGrandfather!â
In Ethanâs mournful cries, the Locke family patriarch Jeffrey Locke passed away, leaving this world behind.
At the same time, the news of the power transfer at Locke Corp was slowly spreading.
â¦
âWhat did you say? Jeffrey Locke is dead?â
Donald Simmonsâs face was filled with astonishment, seemingly in disbelief.
Mick Simmonsâs expression was grave as he nodded and said, âYes, it just happened. The Locke family is preparing for the funeral. It seems to be because of the takeover of Locke Corp.â
âHow is that possible?â
Donald Simmons was in a daze, âWe only asked the bank to pressure the Locke family a bit. With their current capital, they could have easily sold a portion of their shares.
Even though it might have hurt them badly, it shouldnât have led to the sale of the entire Locke Corp, right?â
âThe problem lies in the sale of the shares. You remember Greg Jensen, the one who caused a ruckus at the Locke family wedding, right?â
âYeah, what does this have to do with Greg Jensen?â
Mick Simmons gave a wry smile, nodded, and said with disbelief:
âI donât know what means the kid used, but he secretly got a hold of twenty-three percent of Locke Corp shares from Joe Locke.
Together with others, he purchased another fifteen percent from Jeffrey Locke, and just like that, became the largest shareholder of Locke Corp, effectively kicking the Locke family out of the game.â
â`
âDamn, how is this possible?â
Donald Simmons spat out a curse in shock, âIs Joe Locke an idiot? Why would he sell shares to Greg Jensen?â
âI donât know the specifics, but when Ethan Locke planned a meeting to soothe everyoneâs nerves, he found out that Greg was already holding a board meeting.â
âThis is just tooâ¦â
Even with Donald Simmonsâ long experience managing the Simmons family business and being accustomed to big scenes, he was at a loss for words to describe his feelings in that moment.
On the surface, it seemed that Gregâs ability to take control of the Locke Corporation was actually leveraged by riding on the coattails of the Simmons family.
But then again, even without the Simmons family, Greg, holding Joeâs shares, was still a major shareholder of the Locke Corporation; he just wouldnât be able to completely kick the Locke family to the curb.
In Donaldâs view, Gregâs maneuver was nothing short of brilliant, a classic example of a small capital swiping a large family business.
Before this, who would have believed that Greg could topple the Locke family so easily?
âSo⦠is the Locke family completely done for?â
âIsnât that the case,â Mick Simmons said with a sigh: âThe Locke family probably only has tens of millions in cash left; the chances of them turning the tables are virtually non-existent.â
Donald frowned and asked, âWhat about the Fragrant Spirit Grass?â
Mick laughed easily, âDonât worry about that. Gregâs actions have actually helped us.
Now that the Locke family is finished, as long as they still have the Fragrant Spirit Grass, theyâll certainly use it as a bargaining chip to get us to help them make a comeback.â
Donald was stunned for a moment, then nodded in agreement with the argument, but upon further thought, he felt something was amiss.
âWhat if the Fragrant Spirit Grass isnât in the Locke familyâs hands anymore?â
Mickâs demeanor became serious, and he said in a cold voice, âThen let the Locke family fight for their lives. If they canât offer us anything good, why should we help them?â
âHaha, then we just sit back and enjoy the show.â
âJust wait and see.â
A gleam shone in Mickâs eyes as he spoke emphatically, âThe Fragrant Spirit Grass, we must get it!â
â¦
In the Locke Corporation, inside the Chairmanâs office, Greg Jensen sat on the sofa with Dillon Walker sitting opposite him.
âWalker, no need to be so tense,â Greg said with a warm smile.
When they were in school, he had had a good relationship with Dillon. It was Dillon who had brought him back to Peach Blossom Village after he had been turned into a fool.
Otherwise, as an orphan with no parents, he would have died without anyone caring.
Two years ago, when Dillonâs mother was seriously ill and they had no money for treatment, he had no choice but to turn to Ethan Locke.
In front of Ethan, he had to bark like a dog, eat dog food, and endure all the humiliation to finally get a hundred and fifty thousand to cure his motherâs illness.
Afterward, because he owed Ethan money, he was directly shoved into the company to work off the debt.
Dillonâs ability was quite good; within just two years, he had become the manager of the sales department, even under Ethanâs intentional suppression.
Otherwise, his position would have been even higher.
âMr. Jensen, your illnessâ¦â
âHaha, itâs already cured, just miraculously got better,â Greg replied.
Seeing Gregâs relaxed manner, Dillon couldnât help but feel a bit guilty, âIâm sorry, I⦠I couldnât help at that time.
You know the situation with my family. If I had helped, Iâ¦â
Greg shook his head to stop him from continuing, and then said earnestly, âDidnât you help me get back to Peach Blossom Village?
If it werenât for you, I would probably be dead in some corner by now.â
âMr. Jensen, Iâ¦â
âWhen did we become so formal with each other?â
Dillon was stunned, then a look of joy appeared on his face, and he awkwardly said, âBrother Greg!â
âYeah, thatâs better, haha,â Greg laughed and said, âIâve just reviewed the resume, youâve been sales department manager for a year, letâs switch your position.â
â`