Chapter 12 Expelled from the Edens

• Returning to the Eden household, Cora was filled with joy. After all, they won the bid and secured all of the Boleyn Group's pharmaceutical projects. The company's future seemed brighter than ever.
• However, upon arriving home, she found her whole family gathered in the main hall. Their expressions were dark and hostile.
• Except for John, who was still in the hospital, the entire family was present. They were ready to hold what seemed like a formal meeting.
• When Cora entered, all eyes in the room immediately turned towards her, filled with anger.
• "Cora! You've really outdone yourself this time. Look at what you've done!"
• Paul glared at her, his face flushed red, veins bulging on his neck, and his demeanour radiating fury.
• Cora frowned and asked, "What have I done?"
• "What have you done? We saw you and Jayce at the event. Now, the big three have ordered every family in Eserith to isolate us!" Paul shouted.
• "All our business partners have terminated their agreements with the Eden Group. Do you know how much money we've lost?
• "Cora, you've really let us down. I've warned you countless times to stay away from him, but you wouldn't listen. Now you've dragged the whole family into this mess!
• "What do you have to say for yourself?" Paul demanded.
• Cora knitted her eyebrows. She hadn't expected the big three to take their anger out on her family.
• Lillian grew even more furious at the sight of Jayce.
• "That brat from the Howes had the audacity to strike a member of the Hansons? He's living on borrowed time. Cora, if you still consider yourself part of this family, stay away from him. Otherwise, no one will come collect your body when you end up dead." Lillian fumed.
• As the family berated Cora, her father could no longer stay silent. James stood up, frowning.
• James interrupted, "Enough! What's done is done. It's pointless to blame her now!"
• Paul scoffed coldly. "Your daughter and Jayce have brought such huge losses to the family, and you think we shouldn't say anything?"
• James retorted, "The big three are determined. There's nothing we can do. We need to find a way to fix this."
• Paul sneered, "Fix it? That's easier to say than done. Every family in Eserith is avoiding us. How do we fix that?"
• The room fell silent.
• The Edens had been thriving, but with Jayce's return, they were immediately targeted. Jayce was like a bad omen.
• Cora's expression was stern. She hadn't expected things to escalate this way.
• "Uncle Paul, what do you want me to do?" she asked.
• Paul sneered coldly and asked, "I heard you won the bid? A 7.4 billion-dollar project? That's only because our company didn't compete. You got it because of the family's influence.
• "Burrell's Boleyn Group is the only one willing to work with us now. Hand over the project to me, and we'll consider it your way of making amends."
• Cora's expression darkened. Her uncle's lengthy speech boiled down to one thing: he wanted the Boleyn Group project.
• Paul was utterly shameless to say such things.
• Cora's winning bid had nothing to do with the Eden Group. Did she win it because of the family's reputation? The father and son had been kicked out of the venue, yet they still didn't know their place?
• The Boleyn Group project was her company's future. There was no way she would hand it over.
• "Uncle Paul. You can forget this. The Boleyn Group project is crucial for my company's future. I won't hand it over to anyone."
• Paul's face turned grim. He chided, "Fine. You and your father are truly something. Since that's the case, there's no need for us to keep up appearances. From today onwards, the two of you are expelled from the family!"
• "What?!"
• James's expression changed. He questioned, "What right do you have to expel us?"
• Paul declared, "Hmph! I have every right. I'm the eldest son. Since my dad is ill, I'm the head of this family. I have the authority to make any decision, including your departure!"
• "Unless you hand over the project, you and your daughter must leave the house!"
• "You!"
• Cora never imagined her uncle would go this far, using such tactics to force them to give up the project.
• Cora's face was ashen. When her grandfather was not around, Paul had the audacity to do whatever he wanted. He had gone too far.
• Jayce laughed coldly and said, "Cora, there's no point staying in a family like this.
• "Let's go," he said.
• The three left the Eden household. As they walked out, Jayce turned back and said to the Edens.
• "You might kick them out now, but you'll be begging them to return on your knees."
• Paul sneered coldly. "Dream on! Once you walk out of this door, don't ever think of coming back!"
• Jayce smiled wryly and left with Cora and James.
• "Cora, don't worry. In a few days, they'll come begging you to return."
• Cora smiled bitterly. Being expelled from the family was not something easily rectified.
• Because of Jayce, the Edens were isolated. Even if John returned, he might not be able to protect them.
• Cora thought Jayce's words were mere consolation.
• The Edens, targeted by the entire Eserith, had no place to remain in the city. Paul had expelled them in order to draw a line with them and avoid further dragging the family down.
• Cora was heartbroken. She had dedicated herself to the family, prioritising the Eden Group over her own small company.
• Despite all her efforts, her reward was expulsion from the family.
• Her face was filled with sorrow.
• James patted Jayce on the shoulder and comforted him earnestly.
• "Jayce, don't worry. As long as I'm here, I won't let you suffer. At worst, I'll do some small business to support you and Cora."
• Though everything happened because of Jayce, he held no resentment towards him. Instead, he treated him like his own son.
• Jayce was deeply moved.
• "Don't worry, James. I'll handle this."
• James and Cora forced a few smiles. They didn't take Jayce's words to heart.
• He had good intentions but lacked the ability to back them up.
• ...
• Back at the Howe household, Jayce noticed three dog leashes still hanging in the yard, reminding him of something.
• Three days had passed, and the Dawsons hadn't come to apologise to Rosa.
• It seemed his previous warning wasn't enough.
• Jayce asked, "Rosa, the Dawsons never come by, right?"
• Rosa nodded and said, "Mr. Jayce. Maybe we should just forget this."
• Jayce wanted the entire Dawsons to apologise to Rosa. It was a demand they would never fulfill. Rosa didn't care about that. For her, having Jayce back and safe was enough.
• But for Jayce, the Dawsons had to apologise to Rosa.
• Repaying kindness with enmity, kicking someone when they're down, and torturing Rosa like a dog—these were the Dawsons. If Jayce hadn't made them pay, all the years he spent picking up his skills would have been in vain.
• "Rosa, come with me to the Dawson household," Jayce said.
• The housekeeper sighed but complied with Jayce's wishes.