Standing Before Love (Myra and Sean) novel Chapter 283

“Seems like word has reached you,” Tony remarked flatly as he slipped a cigarette between his lips before deftly lit it up with a lighter. Soon, white smoke swathed his features, blurring out the expression on his face.

He knew why Gideon was calling, but he no longer wanted to entertain the Waltons, as Gemma’s antics had exhausted whatever patience he had had for them.

On the other end of the call, Gideon’s face grew grim and there was a menacing gleam in his eyes as he jested, “Does your fiancée happen to be the famous Miss Stark from Bradfort City? I’ve heard rumors about the both of you and I didn’t think they were true—unless, of course, you’ve actually fallen for her.”

While Tony’s relationship with Miss Stark had been widely covered by various news outlets, Gideon had remained skeptical. After all, he knew what Tony was like—cold, ruthless, and a workaholic who devoted all his life to his business empire. Tony might settle down with a woman at some point but it would be a solely pragmatic and strategic marriage; he would never develop any true feelings for her. Alas, Gideon had thought wrong.

Judging from the way things had turned out, he was sure that there was more to those rumors, and Tony’s alleged romance with the woman was not just for show.

There had initially been plans for the Waltons to position their brand in Paradigm Mall, which happened to be a Hart Group enterprise. However, Tony had struck out their plans after Gemma posted the video about that woman, which meant they would have a much harder time establishing Walton Group in the local business scene.

“Tony, we’ve been friends for a long time. I know you’re unhappy with my sister’s thoughtless act, but that doesn’t call for you to be so harsh and take it out on the entire Walton Group. You know we can’t establish our brand in the Bradfort City market without your help, seeing as how your family holds a few of the largest distribution channels for one-stop shopping malls. The loss would be unimaginable if we fail to see our plans through.”

Upon hearing this, Tony remained impassive but he sounded rueful as he countered, “I believe there’s been a misunderstanding on your part regarding this matter, Gideon.”

Gideon frowned. “What do you mean?”

A cold smirk tugged on Tony’s lips as he answered flatly, “Grandpa has taken over the matter of the Walton Group’s establishment in Paradigm Mall. He was the one who made the decision to hold off the plans to bring in Walton Group. Believe me, I was shocked too, and I was going to talk to him about it.”

Gideon’s lips were pressed into a hard line and his eyes were narrowed into slits as he asked, “I thought Old Master Hart handed over the reins of the company to you. Why is he in charge of the company matters all of a sudden?”

“I may hold the reins but he’s still the chairman of the group,” Tony deflected his accusation with ease and he had no qualms about throwing Sebastian under the bus in the process.

A hard look passed over Gideon’s face when he heard this.

The truth of what Tony had said remained to be seen, but Gideon understood the subtext to his words—the Hart Family was extremely displeased with the Waltons. Be it Tony or Sebastian, the person who had made the ultimate decision to leave the Waltons stranded outside Bradfort City’s market was inevitably furious with them.

The only thing that could have possibly caused this rife between their families appeared to be the most recent controversy that surrounded Miss Stark.

Gideon’s expression darkened. He hadn’t thought that a woman like her could have so much influence over the Hart Family—or rather, over Tony.

Then, he chuckled warmly and said, “Oh, well; I’ll be going back to Bradfort City soon. I suppose it’s only right for me to make it up to you all for the trouble my sister caused. Old Master Hart would probably only punish her for a bit. Our families go way back, so I don’t think a small mishap like this would be worth the tension.”

When Tony made no reply to this, Gideon’s face grew stormy. “I’m starting to get really curious about Miss Stark.”