Chapter 301
Marvin was involved too, so there was no need to keep Neville in the dark about what had happened.
After hearing the whole story, Neville couldn’t help but chuckle.
“You two really are something else.”
It was only then that Mr. Burton noticed a strikingly handsome young man
standing behind Stella and Abby.
“And who might this be?” he asked.
Stella introduced him, “This is Neville Connolly, Marvin’s father.”
Mr. Burton gave Neville a once-over, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
“Hm… Marvin doesn’t look much like you.”
Neville studied Mr. Burton in turn, a flicker of recognition in his eyes-he felt sure he’d seen the old gentleman somewhere before, but for the life of him, he couldn’t remember where.
He smiled. “Marvin takes after his mother more.”
Stella turned to Mr. Burton. “Mr. Burton, I’ll do what I can to recover what you lost. But please, don’t bother calling Jasper-he’s not going to say anything helpful.”
She added frankly, “Jasper’s sharp-tongued and mean-spirited. You’re not young anymore, there’s no need to let him get under your skin.”
She paused, then warned, “He’s got the Wilkinson Group backing him, and he never lets a grudge go. Going up against him head-on isn’t the wisest move.”
Jasper was like a rabid dog-vindictive and unpredictable. And Mr. Burton was just an ordinary elderly man; Stella worried he might get caught in the crossfire. But Mr. Burton lifted his chin defiantly. “I don’t care! I’ll feel a lot better after giving him a piece of my mind!”
Stella sighed, resigned. She knew his temperament-there was no way he’d let this go without getting something off his chest.
After a moment’s thought, she dialed Jasper’s number herself.
Fine, she decided. Let Mr. Burton vent first.
As for what came after…
A cold, determined glint flashed in Stella’s eyes. She’d simply make herself the target of Jasper’s anger instead.
The call connected almost immediately, and Jasper’s smug voice came down the line.
“Well, well, if it isn’t Lady Stella herself. To what do I owe the pleasure? Calling to beg me for help? Trying to patch things up with Haynie, are we?”
He snickered, “Since we go way back, I could think about helping you out. But you’d have to ask nicely. Oh, and Rachel’s really taken a liking to your cooking— how about you whip up some special meals for her for a month? Do that, and I’ll put in a good word for you. Sound fair?”
Mr. Burton’s booming voice cut through the nonsense. “Cut the crap, you little punk! Who do you think you are, wrecking my store? Got a death wish, have you?”
Jasper paused, realizing it was Mr. Burton, then burst into laughter.
“Well, look at that the old man survived my little gift! Didn’t think you had the nerve, watching your shop get trashed like that. Shame you didn’t drop dead or faint-guess the paramedics got ready for nothing.”
He sneered, “Tell you what, grandpa-how about you publicly apologize to me? And while you’re at it, slap Stella across the face-twice. Do that, and maybe I’ll forgive your past rudeness. From now on, I’ll leave you alone.”
Mr. Burton actually laughed in disbelief. “You must be out of your mind! If you want an apology, dream on! Listen here, you arrogant brat-why don’t you come over here, get down on your knees, slap yourself a few times, and pay me back every penny you cost me? Maybe then-maybe I’ll think about forgiving you. Otherwise, you’ll regret ever crossing me!”
This time, it wasn’t just Jasper who laughed-Rachel’s amused giggle could be heard in the background too.
Clearly, she thought Mr. Burton was all talk.
To her, he was just another con artist with a silver tongue and a “wise old man”
act. If she hadn’t learned the truth about him in advance, he might have fooled her
too.