Chapter 9 The Harrison Family's Wrath

• The words that came through the receiver shocked everyone present. All eyes turned to Lucian in disbelief. His predictions had come true. A single phone call had caused them to lose the project and made the Infernal Group reluctant to cooperate with the Harrison family.
• It was a devastating blow to the family.
• Dax took the news the hardest. In that split second, it seemed as if he had aged. The Harrisons had relied on that project to give themselves a boost, but now it had all come crashing down with one phone call.
• "What happened, babe?"
• Nadine knew how much the project meant to the family.
• "Don't ask me." The anger was palpable in his voice. "I can barely defend myself here. I've heard that the Infernal Group is investigating me. If they find proof of embezzlement, I'll end up in prison."
• Nadine's husband abruptly ended the call, likely contemplating a way out of this situation.
• A heavy silence filled the room. All attention was now on Lucian. Dax's hands clenched into fists as he directed his anger towards Frank. "What do you think you're doing, Frank? What kind of demonstration is this?"
• Everyone knew that Frank's branch of the family held a lower status ever since Freya became disabled. They were often targeted by Aaron and Hugo's branches. Lucian's actions had antagonized the entire Harrison family.
• "No, Dad."
• Frank turned to Lucian, rendered speechless by his actions. Lucian had claimed to come here to apologize, yet his first move was to make a call that cost the Harrison family a valuable project.
• "What's going on here?" Dax slammed his hand on the table, his fury evident.
• All three branches of the family trembled at this sudden display of wrath. After years of suppression, they felt an inexplicable fear. No one dared to utter a word.
• Eleanor stood up and pointed a finger at Frank. "We'll forget everything that happened before. You better make sure Lucian gets us that project back, or you'll face the consequences."
• Frank and Annie turned to look at Lucian, even Freya shot him a glance. "Retrieve that project, Lucian. It's crucial for the Harrison family."
• Frank and his family were afraid of the Harrisons.
• However, Lucian was not. A cold smile played on his lips as he surveyed the group. "Sure, I can return it if you play nice. Fay and I will be waiting at home. Show us your sincerity. If we're not satisfied, forget about getting that project back!"
• He wheeled Freya out of the Harrison residence.
• No matter how Freya struggled, she was powerless without the ability to move.
• Frank and Annie exchanged a look and followed Lucian, under the murderous glares from the Harrisons. Staying behind would be inviting their wrath. They would be torn apart.
• "What are we supposed to do, Grandpa? The project..."
• Nadine gritted her teeth. "He wants us to apologize. It's clear they want us to bow down to them. They're rebelling."
• Dax was gasping for breath.
• Frank's branch had always been insignificant to them, yet Lucian's return had disrupted their plans.
• "This is chaos!"
• Dax slammed his hand on the table before turning to Aaron. "Investigate how Lucian managed to do this. Fix it! We need that project."
• "Shouldn't we apologize to them?"
• Aaron seemed hesitant.
• "Apologize?"
• Dax's eyes glinted menacingly. "What right do they have for me to bow down to them? I see their ambitions clearly now. They truly believe they have power over me. I'll deal with them once I retrieve that project."
• Everyone immediately understood.
• Dax had no intention of lowering himself to apologize. He intended to regain the project by his own means.
• ...
• Fear gripped Freya as they returned to their rented space in the urban village. "Do you realize what you've done, Lucian? The Harrisons won't let us off the hook. Your phone call caused them to lose an important project. What if another company gets ahead of us and secures it? They'll destroy us!"
• Frank and Annie sprang into action upon hearing her words.
• "Are you out of your mind, Lucian?"
• Annie's anger was palpable, and she seemed ready to pummel him into the ground. "If they don't get that project, they'll blame us. Dax will annihilate us all."
• "Why are you so afraid of them, Aunt Annie?"
• Lucian sighed. It was clear that Freya and her parents feared the Harrisons. After everything that had happened, it wasn't difficult to understand why. But he was back now. Things were going to change.
• He wanted the Harrisons to realize the consequences of messing with Freya and her family. He was doing this to make them change their ways.
• "Why wouldn't we be afraid?"
• Frank bellowed. "Annie and I signed a lifelong contract with the Harrison Group. We have to work there for the rest of our lives to afford Fay's care. They will come after us for breaching the contract. We'll be destroyed! Do you understand that?"
• "Enough, Mom, Dad."
• Freya stopped Annie from continuing her tirade. "Was what you said back at the Harrison residence true, Lucian? Can you give and take away the project as you please?"
• "It's true. I have complete control over this project. It's yours as long as you come with me to the Infernal Group."
• Lucian nodded, exuding confidence.
• He had come to understand that their fears stemmed from the lifelong contract. His goal now was to find a way to free them from it. Otherwise, the family would never be truly free.
• "That sounds unbelievable." Annie remained unconvinced.
• A demolition project of that scale required several million in startup capital. Countless companies were vying for it. How could he, the outcast of the Gray family, possibly claim it for himself?
• "Alright. I trust you. I'll go to the Infernal Group with you tomorrow."
• Freya nodded with indifference.
• "But you need to come up with a plan tonight. It doesn't have to be elaborate," Lucian added after some thought.
• "I can do that."
• Freya agreed. She wanted to see what connections he had that allowed him to secure the project so easily.