Chapter 131: Crushing Ashbournes

Now that Shani weaponized that very status to tear Vivienne down, with undeniable truth, it felt like far more than a slap to the face. It felt as though a crushing punch had sent her flying.

"Your father was dead!" Vivienne spat back, her bloated ego temporarily clawing its way past her fear.

"Then why is a living person still leeching off the wealth of those who are dead?" Shani countered with a cold, mocking sneer.

Vivienne froze, her mind spiraling into a panic.

Shani was supposed to be just a family-less orphan who had arrived in Aurelis merely months ago... So how could she possibly know all of this?

Vivienne knew she could no longer fight back. She couldn’t protect her ego or her pride any longer. Trashing frantically, she tried to pull away.

"Let go! Let go before I scream!" she threatened, her face flushed red.

"I am not afraid of you, nor am I afraid of House Ashbourne. So don’t you ever bare your dull fangs at me again!" Shani declared before flinging Vivienne’s arm aside, sending her sprawling onto the floor.

Vivienne could only grit her teeth, trembling. When she looked up, that same terror and helplessness washed over her once again at the sight of Shani’s imposing figure.

With her pride thoroughly shattered, Vivienne reflexively cowered in fear, gritting her teeth silently to keep from making a sound.

Shani cast a look of utter disgust at her before turning on her heel and leaving the restroom. In the wake of this ridiculous incident, she had completely forgotten her original reason for coming to the bathroom in the first place.

Shani returned to the classroom and took her seat between Noella and Kiran. Beside Kiran sat Eric, who was busily explaining the history behind a particular ribbon technique to Jeryon.

Jeryon raised his head as Shani approached. He didn’t utter a word, but his brow furrowed as his eyes locked onto a specific spot on her arm.

Noticing that his audience’s attention had strayed, Eric turned to see what Jeryon was staring at.

It didn’t take long for him to ask offhandedly, "Shani, why is your sleeve so crumpled?"

Hearing this, Kiran and Noella reflexively glanced over at Shani’s forearm. The fabric there was indeed rumpled while the rest of her sleeve remained smooth, as if someone had wrung it tightly.

Shani hadn’t even noticed. She had completely forgotten that Vivienne had checked her smartwatch, crumpling her sleeve in the process.

"What happened?" Kiran asked instantly.

Shani took a breath before recounting the encounter in the restroom. She saw no reason to hide what had transpired.

"Don’t worry, you guys. She can’t do anything to me," Shani said, genuinely unbothered. However, the friends surrounding her clearly didn’t share her nonchalance.

While Kiran made a big fuss checking Shani for injuries, the others watched quietly, the gears in their minds turning rapidly.

Once class ended, Jeryon made a pit stop at the restroom instead of heading straight to the cafeteria with the rest of the group.

Stepping inside, he tapped his earpiece, establishing an instant line with one of his subordinates.

"What are the results of the investigation on House Ashbourne? What is their main financial lifeline? What is keeping them afloat right now?" he asked, skipping all pleasantries.

"House Ashbourne has sold off a large portion of their subsidiaries. Currently, only two major companies continue to generate profit for them: Ashbourne Feed Factory and Ashbourne Jewel."

"Earlier this year, Ashbourne Feed Factory was on the brink of bankruptcy right before receiving financial backing from the Finch Company, a nouveau riche enterprise from out of town trying to break into the capital’s elite circles."

"Gideon Finch, Vivienne Ashbourne’s partner, is the son of that company’s owner."

"Meanwhile, Ashbourne Jewel enjoys a clean public image, completely untouched by bankruptcy rumors."

"That’s because the company is a joint venture between House Ashbourne and several influential backers. The most prominent being the youngest sister of House Rosenbaum’s Head."

Jeryon listened to his subordinate’s report, his fingers tapping rhythmically against his arm. "Finch and Rosenbaum, huh?" he murmured.

"House Ashbourne lacks the capacity to survive on its own, sir," his subordinate added, concluding the report.

Jeryon then gave his orders decisively.

"Force the Finch Company to pull their financial backing from House Ashbourne. Whether they acquire Ashbourne Feed Factory outright or leave it to rot, make sure House Ashbourne doesn’t see another cent of profit from it."

"Understood, sir," the subordinate replied from the other end of the line. Regardless of what methods "forcing" entailed, the subordinate’s duty was simply to execute.

Jeryon fired off a text message to another contact while requesting further details on the relationship between House Ashbourne and the Finch Company.

After sending the message and hearing his subordinate’s reply, Jeryon said calmly, "I will send you a blueprint to dismantle them. Execute it to the letter."

"Understood, sir," the subordinate answered without hesitation.

Ending the call, Jeryon stepped out of the restroom. Instead of heading toward the elevator, he walked down the hall into a vacant classroom.

Moments later, another figure slipped into the room.

"Can you handle your end, Noella?" Jeryon asked without beating around the bush.

Noella walked calmly toward the prince, giving a firm nod. "Are you certain that cutting off the Rosenbaum faction will bring down Ashbourne Jewel?"

"The other investors are only staying because of Rosenbaum’s influence. Without them, the rest will pull out as well," the prince replied calmly, a cunning glint flashing in his eyes.

"Aren’t you worried that bringing down House Ashbourne might backfire on Shani?" Noella asked suddenly.

Jeryon raised an eyebrow, though he didn’t answer right away.

"Shani could become the future head of House Ashbourne," Noella pressed, her ambitious nature showing.

Jeryon countered with quiet confidence. "Becoming the head of House Ashbourne is hardly a grand prize."

Noella didn’t dispute his words, though she held her own reservations.

After ironing out the finer details of their plan, Jeryon departed first. Noella remained behind in the empty classroom to make a phone call.

...