Chapter 1719: Chapter 1719

Chapter 1719:

“I’ll have someone dig into Lexus’ recent dealings over the next few days. As for the banquet, if you would rather not go, I can attend in your place.”

Harlee leaned into him, tilted her head up, and smiled lazily.

“Nah. Let’s go together. Something tells me this banquet is going to be interesting.”

Rhys paused, a small, knowing smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

“Alright, we’ll go together then.”

In the Happer family villa, Nola threw the invitation Moshe had delivered onto the desk, her voice dripping with disdain.

“Grandpa, I have no interest in attending this trashy banquet.”

Errol had long established a family rule: any invitation personally delivered by Moshe was mandatory for all family members to attend. So, when Nola saw Lexus’ invitation, she didn’t hesitate to reject it outright.

Errol looked at Nola, who had rushed over, his expression dark. Ever since she took over as the acting head of the Happer family, she had grown increasingly bold and casual in the way she treated him. Last time, when he stood up for Davenport, she dared to call him out in front of the entire family, accusing him of favoritism without a shred of hesitation. And now, she dared to toss an invitation onto his desk as if she didn’t care about his opinion.

Errol studied Nola’s face carefully. Though he couldn’t pinpoint what lay behind her actions, a deep sense of unease crept over him. Something in his gut told him that…

He might soon lose control over her if he allowed her to continue down this path unchecked.

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Nola said, “Grandpa, I’m busy with work right now. I really don’t have time for these pointless social affairs. Just decline on my behalf. Moreover, our family has no ties to Lexus.”

Errol had sensed Lexus was up to something, but the invitation had been delivered to him directly. Moreover, Lexus had called to extend the invitation to both him and Nola once more. If they both failed to show up, the Happer family would once again find itself under the harsh glare of public scrutiny. And right now, the last thing they needed was more turbulence. Therefore, Nola had to go and perform flawlessly.

“Nola, are you ignoring my words now?” Errol’s voice cut through the air like a blade, harsh and weighted with authority.

Nola’s mind went blank for a heartbeat. Her refusal had been based on Errol’s disdain for Lexus. However, she hadn’t anticipated Errol’s ire turning on her. It was a stinging rebuke. Clearly, Errol’s simmering displeasure, fueled by the Davenport affair, was reaching a boiling point. She needed to accelerate her plans to seize control of the Happer family.

Nola realized this was her moment, her high noon. She couldn’t afford to give Errol even the slightest opening. So, even if his arrangements tasted like bitter medicine, she had to swallow them with a show of respect. Once she had the upper hand, she would settle the score.

Nola lifted her gaze to Errol, her eyes a picture of reverence.

“I apologize, Grandpa,” she began, her voice dripping with false sincerity.

“I simply thought that, apart from Gilmore, cultivating relationships with the Moreno family would be a fruitless endeavor.”

She let the thought hang in the air for a few pregnant seconds before continuing, “My judgment was clouded. Your wisdom is, as always, beyond reproach. In two days, I will prepare a gift worthy of the occasion and attend Lexus’ banquet without fail.”

Errol’s frown softened, the storm clouds parting slightly. He said, his voice a low rumble, “I know you possess a sharp mind, Nola, but you still have much to learn about the delicate dance of power in Uwhor. Lexus may appear a harmless butterfly, but his influence in the media is a viper’s nest, capable of undermining your ambitions to lead the Happer family!”

Nola was taken aback. Her own investigation of Lexus had painted him as a man of little consequence to the Happer family. Winning his favor had seemed a pointless exercise, a fool’s errand. That was why she had been so quick to refuse. But now, Errol’s words painted a different picture, one where Lexus’ influence was a force to be reckoned with.

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