IMDD CHAPTER 217 [SEASON 3] (Patreon)

"Enough!" Samuel’s voice boomed, the word echoing through the mansion's hallways. The gathered family members flinched, startled by the intensity in the elder’s voice.

"We are on the brink of catastrophe, and all you can think of is revenge?! Do you think the Acherons are fools? Did you see the bodyguards all around her?" His gaze fell on Jessa, who defiantly met his eyes.

"Our company, our legacy, is at stake! Eva holds the cards now. There is only one thing I know that can save us now…” Samuel’s jaws worked as he held everyone’s gaze intensely. “I’m sure now what Eva wants. Our apology for everything that we had done to her."

Jessa scoffed. "You want us to grovel at her feet?" she asked in hysteric laugher.

The old man's face grew even more severe. "Yes. If it ensures our family's survival. I've seen empires fall in a single day because of pride. We will not meet that fate, Jessa."

"But grandfather," Mike interjected, his voice dripping with contempt, "she's nothing but—"

The old man silenced him with another fierce glance. "Eva has outplayed us at every turn. She has the power now, and we... we are at her mercy. We need her. If it means swallowing our pride and apologizing, we will, do you understand?!"

"How dare you suggest we grovel to that bitch!" spat Jessa. "Have you lost your mind? We are the Youngs! We don’t beg!"

But the old man’s voice thundered again. "Do you not understand the situation?! That woman has the power to annihilate us overnight. Our pride will be the death of us if we do not act!"

Elise shifted uncomfortably. "Father, surely there's another way. Some other deal or alliance we can forge to save the company."

Old Man Young slammed his hand on the ornate mahogany table, making the expensive porcelain figurines rattle. "There isn’t! We’ve crossed the one person we never should have underestimated. She is not just anyone; she is Eva Acheron now. And she's not doing this just for business; it's personal. And the fault is ours!"

He took a deep, shuddering breath. "We will drop to our knees if that’s what it takes.”

"I won't do it," Jessa murmured with a trembling voice when Samuel slapped her. Hard.

"You will.” Samuel gritted his teeth. “We all will!"

…

The clicking of heels echoed, drawing the attention of everyone present, as Eva strode confidently. Her sleek, black dress was the color of power, and her blue eyes were hardened steel. Her secretary, Adela, followed closely behind, with a retinue of intimidating guards flanking her.

Since the day she was appointed as ACEON’s CEO, the elder had insisted on appointing bodyguards he had chosen himself to protect Eva. And when George heard about Eva’s agenda with the Youngs, the elder once again insisted on increasing Eva’s bodyguards.

Eva didn’t protest because she knew what the Youngs were capable of doing. Especially now that Mike Young was detained due to his case. Eva wouldn’t dare drop her guard down when she knew how crazy people like the Youngs could become when they’re cornered.

True enough, since the hearing against Mike Young, Eva had already encountered failed assassination attempts twice. Though it was subtle as they seemed to be trying to make it look like an accident, Eva already knew. And those attempts had failed miserably because she had already seen such antics coming.

She was certain Samuel Young wasn’t going to do something this foolish but Eva could imagine the rest of the Youngs to not hesitate in doing evil things.

It had been days since her announcement and every day since, the Youngs were doing everything to reach her. To speak with her.

Eva had managed to avoid them for days all because she had asked the guards to throw the Youngs out if they dare come to the company. But today, after the failed assassination just yesterday, she asked the guards to let the family enter the company if they come again.

Sure enough, as Eva neared the center of the lobby, she stopped abruptly. And there they were, standing huddled together, the Youngs.