Chapter 245

Chapter 245 Hunger Strike

After bringing lunch back to the hospital ward, Imogen set out all the boxes of food on the table. Grace excitedly plopped down on the sofa and began to pick out dishes that she liked, saying, “I want this one and that one…”

Imogen glanced at Troy and asked calmly, “What do you want to eat? Or should I make a platter for you?”

Troy shook his head. “No need. I can’t eat.”

Imogen sneered and questioned in annoyance, “You can’t eat? Then why did Yann say you’ve been on a hunger strike because of what I said? He said you haven’t eaten anything for a whole day.” For a moment, Troy was surprised. A look of helplessness crept onto his pale face. “This is… I don’t know… Are you going to blame me for whatever he did…”

Imogen didn’t reply.

“Geez, him and his antics,” she thought.

She closed her eyes, deciding to keep him out of her mind by keeping him out of sight.

As they ate lunch, Troy sat next to them, working on his laptop.

After lunch, Imogen tidied up the table.

Just then, there was a beeping noise on the intercom by the door.

“Mr. Marshall?”

Imogen stepped forward and opened the door, seeing two middle–aged men standing outside. Behind them were two young people, each carrying a basket of fruits and some gifts. Imogen was taken aback for a moment before nodding politely. “Mr. Fox, Mr. Holland.” The two men, Jarvis Fox and Steve Holland, looked at Imogen and paused for a moment upon seeing her, though they didn’t overtly show their surprise.

“Ms. Forbes, is Mr. Marshall here?”

“He’s inside. Please come in.” Imogen stepped aside to let them in.

Grace was sitting on the sofa, staring at Jarvis and Steve with wide, curious eyes. “Hello, Misters, nice to meet you!”

Many thoughts crossed Jarvis and Steve’s minds when the two of them saw Grace.

Similarly, both were wondering when Troy had a daughter, and she seemed to be a few years old already.

“Hello, hello. You’re so adorable, little girl.” Jarvis responded with a smile, then shifted his Troy, who was next to Grace. “Mr. Marshall.”

gaze to

Troy raised his head and gave a faint nod.

Seeing that they might have important matters to discuss, Imogen said, “Grace, they have something important to talk about. Let’s go back for now.”

“Okay.” Grace nodded, slid off the sofa, and waved at Troy. “Goodbye, Troy. We’ll come to see you again tomorrow!”

“Goodbye. See you tomorrow.”

Watching the two of them disappear from the doorway, Jarvis waved his hand, and his secretary

promptly placed the fruits and gifts down, closed the door, and stood outside.

“Mr. Marshall…”

Troy’s fingers left the laptop keyboard as he leaned back on the sofa’s backrest, looking relaxed. “If the two of you are here about the same matter as before, then please leave. Everything aside, with me in my current condition, I can’t handle my responsibilities in Marshall Group anymore.” Jarvis and Steve exchanged a glance. They had noticed how much thinner Troy had become as soon as they stepped into the ward, so they surmised that perhaps his illness was severe.

However, they had no choice. Jarvis muttered, “We do understand that you’re not well now, Mr. Marshall. However, the corporation is facing severe internal and external challenges, and we’re left with no choice. People are anxious, and we need you to stabilize the situation…”

Since Leo wasn’t familiar with the business projects of Marshall Group and was taking a long time. to learn, rival companies seized the opportunity to snatch resources and projects from Marshall Group.

The company’s top management was in disarray, even losing two members to rival companies. The directors held differing opinions, and Leo’s personality made it difficult for him to rein them in.

Ever since Troy stepped down and Henry passed away, Marshall Group’s stocks had been at rock bottom. Although there were occasional small–scale increases, they would soon fall again within a few days.

Before Christmas, Marshall Group held an annual press conference, where a few agitated shareholders made a ruckus and demanded answers from the management team.

The company had been in turmoil for more than two months. Jarvis had to admit that while Troy might be somewhat autocratic, he was the most suitable leader for Marshall Group. After all, the company needed a charismatic leader who could unite the employees internally and navigate the business world with determination.

Raising an eyebrow, Troy asked, “Internal and external challenges?”

Jarvis explained, “You might not know, but in the past two months, several real estate projects that the company has planned in Creston City were suddenly taken by others. Other departments have also been hit by targeted attacks from our competitors.”

Some directors couldn’t bear the humiliation and suggested taking the projects back or teaching the competitors a lesson.

Others believed the company needed stability and that rash actions would only harm Marshall Group even more.

Troy sat with his large, bony hands casually resting on his knees while narrowing his eyes. “Have you investigated it?”

He could tolerate Leo’s actions because beo was his older brother,

However, he wouldn’t allow outsiders to harm his grandfather’s legacy.

“We have. It’s the Harrington family from Jubilian City.”

“The Harrington family?” Troy repeated in a low voice, his gaze low as he was deep in thought. “Why would the Harrington family from Jubilian City target Marshall Group?” He wondered.

“Have you

had any contact with their representatives?” Troy asked.

Jarvis sighed. “I had my secretary arrange a meeting with the head of the Harrington family, but they declined. Although I did meet with their two executives, they weren’t very forthcoming.”

Chapter 245 Hunger Strike

Furrowing his brows slightly, Troy continued, “For now, the company shouldn’t confront them directly. Send someone to investigate if there has been any conflict with the Harrington family without our knowledge. If a negotiation is possible, negotiate. If not, we should avoid direct confrontation for the time being. Focus on managing our existing projects, and there’s no rush to expand.”

Jarvis nodded. “Alright. How’s your health now? When can you come back to the company…”

“I won’t be able to return in the short term. Don’t worry too much, and just proceed step by step.” Jarvis and Steve exchanged a glance, nodding in resignation.

After Jarvis and Steve left, only Troy remained in the hospital ward.

However, it wasn’t long before Yann entered, pushing the door open and sitting directly across from Troy. He chugged down some water and said, “We received a message from the psychiatric hospital. Sarah wants to see you. She’s running out of patience. If you refuse to meet her, she’ll expose Imogen’s background.”

Troy adjusted his cuff. “Let her come tomorrow.”

When Troy saw Sarah again, he almost didn’t recognize her.

She looked completely different from before, looking dry and thin with a waxen complexion. Her hair was dull and frizzy, and her clothes were slightly disheveled. There was no trace of the glamour she once had as a celebrity.

Her eye sockets were sunken, and her big eyes protruded, giving her a strange appearance, especially since she seemed to have used too much sedative. Her movements were sluggish, and she stared unblinkingly at one spot.

Sarah’s gaze slowly shifted to Troy, capturing his surprised expression. She cracked a smile, her voice hoarse. “Are you surprised? Thanks to you, I’ve become what you see today!”

Sitting on a single sofa, Troy tapped his cigarette on an ashtray. “I believed I treated you well. If you had gone abroad as you promised, you wouldn’t have ended up like this. You’re never satisfied, biting off more than you can chew. This is the path you chose.”

Sarah burst into laughter, laughing so hard that her body swayed.

Unfazed, Troy continued to smoke, his lips parting slightly and allowing the flowing smoke to escape between them.

After a while, Sarah finally stopped laughing and absentmindedly sat down on the sofa across from Troy. She said, in a daze, “Biting off more than I can chew? Hehe… I was supposed to be your wife, the matriarch of the Marshall family. You didn’t keep your promise, but now you’re blaming me. I’ve given so much, and yet, do I deserve to have nothing?