Chapter 370: Chapter 370

Chapter 370 Boniel did not bother to appease him but instead turned to Jefferson. “What did you want to say before, Calbert? Is there anything you would like to tell me?”

“I want to claim my right to the Terblanc family inheritance,” Jefferson declared.

Boniel was mystified. “Haven’t you already gotten it? Like your brother, I have already proclaimed in Fossell Church before my friends that you are my heir.”

Arnaud suddenly stood up and slid a document over to Boniel. “You’re a busy man, Dad, and may not know that Calbert had given up his right to be the heir of the Terblanc family. The Philet family, amongst others, are already aware of it.”

Boniel took the documents and, after glancing through them, turned fiercely to Jefferson. “You little sh*t! Despite everything I’ve done for you, you threw everything away?”

Jefferson remained silent.

In response to Arnaud’s terms, he had decided to give up his inheritance rights as he missed his mother. He had also expected Arnaud to produce that document at that opportune moment.

Rayna spoke up, “Calm yourself, Mr. Boniel. In his youthful exuberance, it would have been inevitable for Calbert to have had a lapse in judgment. Everybody makes mistakes.”

“He’s not a ten–year–old boy anymore. Besides, even ten–year–olds would think twice before putting their signatures on anything. He signed the documents himself, Arnaud chimed in at once, aware that Rayna was trying to invoke Boniel’s compassion.

Then, he turned to Boniel to reiterate, “We have rules, Dad. Anything, including inheritance rights, given up voluntarily cannot be reclaimed. I know you love Calbert, but Great–Grandpa’s rules are set in stone. You would also be hurting me if you returned those rights to him. I, too, am your son, after all.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, Mr. Cyrus,” Rayna said with her lips curled, taking advantage of the situation. “No man is without fault. Besides, rules are fixed, but people are not. Your ancestors laid down those rules because the Terblanc family had many heirs back then and was susceptible to an abuse of power. Now, however, you and Calbert are the only heirs to the Terblanc family. You should not deny him the opportunity for one mistake he’d made.”

Arnaud glared at Rayna sharply. “This pertains to our family, Ms. Garland.”

Rayna smiled. “I am Calbert’s girlfriend, and we will share the burden of any problems that may arise. I am worried that Calbert might lose his right to inheritance. What if you, Mr. Cyrus, one day make a mistake and lose yours? Wouldn’t the Terblanc family fall into his hands? That is why I think the old–fashioned rules need to be changed.”

“The rules of the Terblanc family have never changed through the centuries,” Arnaud said coolly. “What would my forefathers say if you insist that the rules be changed for Calbert? I wouldn’t ask for my rights if I made a mistake because I am a Terblanc.”

Rayna met his gaze without fear. “I am merely providing a suggestion, Mr. Cyrus, and not asking Mr. Boniel to defy your ancestors. Don’t twist my words.”

Arnaud’s lips curled “I think that’s exactly what you mean, Ms. Garland,” he said sharply.

“Enough! Must we quarrel during our meal?” Already incensed by Jefferson giving up his inheritance, Boniel slammed the table with his fist to quell the verbal confrontation.

“I’m sorry, Dad,” Jefferson said in a low voice. “I was immature not to realize the importance of the inheritance. Let me bear the consequences of my mistakes. You will hear no more of the matter.”

Chapter 370 Boniel’s anger subsided at the meekness of his younger son.

Jefferson’s eyes look so much like hers, which causes me much sorrow and anger. However, I cannot openly act in favor of him when it pertains to the ancient rules of the Terblanc family’s inheritance. Arnaud’s hostility made it plain that he did not wish for Jefferson to regain his rights to the inheritance; I am familiar with my eldest son’s propensity for scheming.

Boniel threw the documents back at Arnaud with a scowl upon his chiseled features. “Deal with the consequences of your own mistakes. We’ll have our meal quietly. Those with another opinion will leave right now!”

Arnaud lowered his gaze. His eyes glittered with menace.

He was clever enough to know that Boniel did not explicitly reject the matter, which meant Jefferson would be awarded the opportunity to regain his inheritance rights.

Rayna sat back down, her hand over her heart, which thumped painfully as though about to beat out of her ribcage.

She did not dare believe it was her who had caused that look of rage on Arnaud’s face.

Despite her nonchalance, she was frightened because she knew Arnaud’s cruelty and that it would not be wise to go up against him. Her courage came from keeping Curtis‘ gift in mind.

Long ago, when she was employed at Faymon Group, she had been assigned to negotiate a contract but, due to her obscurity, had been steamrollered because her opponents did not take her seriously.

Curtis had told her, “The more humbly you behave toward people like that, the more they will take advantage of you. If you have no reputation, you must use what you have–Faymon Group or me. You must form a strong first impression when you negotiate with him by suppressing his ego. Then, he’ll know that you’re not alone and thus would not underestimate you.”

“This applies to business and how you deal with people. Some have worse barks than they do bites and are trying to intimidate you. Whether you beat or let them bully you depends on what you do.”

Armed with his techniques, Rayna crushed the opposing side into meekly completing the negotiations with her.

After concluding the business, she hurried back to Faymon Group to see Curtis. “Why don’t I become your secretary? After five years under you, I will be able to start my own company.”

Curtis then pulled her into his arms and laughed. “Sounds good. I wouldn’t know if you would be able to go out on your own after five years, but I can guarantee you would have several additional mouths to feed.”

It took Rayna a long time to understand what he meant. Blushing furiously, she bit him. “You scoundrel! How could you be thinking about these things at work? Your employees should see your true colors.”

“Aren’t you of the same mind, Mrs. Faymon?”

“Get lost!”

Rayna’s heart twinged bitterly at the recollection of the past and of that man.

She knew she would be too ashamed to return without resolving Arnaud and bringing justice to Kristie, and Curtis would not forgive her.

Rayna lowered her head to take several mouthfuls of soup, and her insides suddenly lurched. The desire to throw up overcame her.

Chapter 370 Not daring to head to the bathroom in plain sight, she tugged the tablecloth to deliberately spill the soup all over her clothes and, under a pretext of shock, leaped to her feet.

Rayna gazed at the stain on her skirt and said ruefully, “I’m sorry. Please excuse me.”

Jefferson knew she was experiencing morning sickness and that it would not do to follow her, so he summoned a housekeeper.

“Escort Ms. Garland to her room and prepare a fresh set of clothes.”

The housekeeper obliged and led Rayna up the stairs.

While the housekeeper prepared a fresh set of clothes, Rayna ran to the bathroom and, after shutting the door behind her, vomited everything in her belly into the sink.

Feeling shaky and drained, she stood still to recover for a long while before rinsing her face with warm water and uttering a silent plea that her following nausea would not be as bad as she would not be able to conceal it as easily.