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The Return of the Hades The Webb family
95The next day rolled around, amidst his routine, the phone rang unexpectedly, a number he didn't recognize flashing on the screen. Curiosity piqued, he answered."Hello?""Darien, it's Clara," the voice on the other end chirped, a hint of excitement barely contained.He raised an eyebrow, his curiosity now mingled with surprise. "How did you get my number?" he asked, genuinely puzzled.A soft chuckle echoed through the phone. "Let's just say a magician never reveals her secrets," Clara replied, her tone playful yet mysterious.Darien couldn't help but laugh, the tension easing from his shoulders. "Alright, magician, what can I do for you?"Clara's tone shifted, a seriousness creeping into her voice. "About the Christmas party... I really hope you'll consider coming. It means a lot."He hesitated, his thumb tracing the edge of the phone. The memories of their last conversation at the tavern came flooding back, along with the unpleasant memories of his past dealings with the Webb fami
The Return of the Hades Beg him!
96Clara's voice, when she spoke again, was laced with anger. "Darien is not a criminal. You know the accusations were unfounded.""Unfounded?" Marlene scoffed, rolling her eyes dramatically. "The whole town knows about his misdeeds. And now you bring him here, into our home?"Lord Webber tried once more to intercede. "Enough, Marlene. This is not the time nor the place—"But he was cut off by Clara's father, who had remained silent until now. "I think it's best if you leave, Darien," he said, his voice cold but controlled. "Before this evening takes an even more unpleasant turn."Darien felt a lump forming in his throat, the words hitting him harder than he cared to admit. He glanced at Clara, her face a mixture of apology and defiance. He could see the hurt in her eyes, the embarrassment at her family's open hostility.Without a word, Darien turned on his heel, his heart heavy. He could feel the eyes of the entire room on him as he made his way to the exit, each step feeling like an
The Return of the Hades Wine 1
97 Marlene and Thomas exchanged uneasy glances, their earlier enthusiasm dampened by the uncomfortable situation. Marlene's hands clasped and unclasped at her gown, a nervous gesture that didn't go unnoticed by Clara, who watched the scene unfold with a sinking heart.Clara stepped forward, her gaze shifting between Darien and Edward, her heart pounding. She cleared her throat, her voice steady despite the turmoil swirling within. "Edward, this is Darien. He's... he's a great friend and, more importantly, my savior."Edward's lips twisted into a disdainful sneer, his eyes narrowing as they fixed on Darien. "Ah, so this is him. The scammer who almost brought disgrace upon the Webb family three years ago?"Clara's cheeks flushed with anger, her hands balling into fists at her sides. "That's not true. Darien saved my life," she asserted, her voice rising slightly in her defense of him.Edward scoffed, looking Darien up and down with an evident lack of respect. "Saved your life? Or was t
The Return of the Hades Wine 2
98Edward Harrington, hailing from the affluent and distinguished Harrington family, stood as a figure of wealth and privilege, his surname carrying the weight of centuries-old prestige. He was one of Clara's most fervent suitors, a match eagerly endorsed by her family, who saw in this union a fusion of power, wealth, and social standing. The Webb family, particularly Marlene, harbored aspirations of aligning themselves with the Harrington legacy, viewing Edward's desire to marry Clara as a golden opportunity to elevate their status further.The anticipation of integrating into the Harrington dynasty only intensified the disdain Marlene and Thomas harbored towards Darien. Clara felt a surge of anger at her mother's words, her fists clenching beneath the tablecloth, nails digging into her palm as she fought to keep her voice steady. "Mom, that’s unfair. You haven’t even tasted Darien’s wine yet."Edward, who had been basking in the glow of attention his expensive wine had garnered, n
The Return of the Hades Wine3
99As the shock of Kron’s revelation ebbed, he turned to Darien, his curiosity evident. "Where did you find such a wine?" he inquired, his eyes probing.Darien, maintaining his composure under the weight of the room's gaze, simply responded, "It was a gift from a friend."Skepticism and disbelief clouded Marlene’s features. "A friend?" she echoed, her voice dripping with disdain. "What sort of friend gifts a $200,000 bottle of wine?"Thomas, fueled by jealousy and a desire to salvage his tarnished pride, sneered. "A friend, or was it stolen, Darien?" His accusation hung in the air like a toxic cloud, his eyes narrowed, a muscle twitching in his jaw from the tension.Edward, now a bit ashamed, chimed in with a smirk. "Indeed, how does a scammer come by such treasures? Should we expect the police to come knocking?"The atmosphere thickened with suspicion and malice. Darien, standing amidst the assembly of accusations, clenched his fists at his sides, the injustice burning in his chest.
The Return of the Hades Deceive the Webb family
100Infact, darien just has a vision of Edward fleeing with all their money.In the grand drawing room, lit by the soft glow of chandeliers, a hushed tension settled after Darien's claim.Edward's face flushed red, his anger palpable. "Bankruptcy?" he sputtered, incredulous. "You dare suggest—"But Darien wasn't finished. "Yes, bankruptcy. And not just financial, but moral too. You plan to flee with their investments, leaving nothing but broken promises in your wake." Marlene, Thomas, and the others exchanged nervous glances, the seeds of doubt planted firmly in their minds. Edward, his face a mask of disbelief and anger, immediately retorted, his voice rising like a crescendo of denial. "Slander! That's pure slander, Darien. Our family's company stands on solid ground. Bankruptcy? That's laughable."But Clara, her decision weighing heavily on her, found herself hesitating. She looked from Edward to Darien, torn. The vision Darien described was vivid and terrifyingly plausible. Was
The Return of the Hades Threatened
101Lord Webb, sensing the escalating tension, stepped forward, his presence commanding silence. "Let's not descend into chaos," he intoned gravely. "This matter should not be discussed in such a manner. Edward, you handle this with the grace of a true leader."Edward, his face a mask of humility, nodded. "Thank you, Lord Webb. I assure you, our company's integrity remains intact. We will continue to thrive, despite these unfounded accusations."Edward, seizing the moment, stepped into the center of the room, his posture one of unwavering confidence. "I thank you, Lord Webb, for your wise words. It's in times like these that our true strength is tested," he said, offering a gracious nod to Webb, then turned to the others with a broad, reassuring smile. "To those who stand with me, your trust will not be misplaced. We will emerge from this stronger."Marlene, stepped beside Edward, laying a hand on his shoulder with visible pride. "See, this is what real leadership looks like. Forgive t
The Return of the Hades Help Amelia
102Once out of the villa and near his car, a woman of striking beauty approached him, clad in elegant attire. "Mr. French!" she called out.Darien furrowed his brow, looking at her face, trying to place where he had seen her before. "Who are you? Do we know each other?" he asked, a frown forming.The woman who happened to be Camila, Amelia's sister, irritated that he didn't recognize her despite seeing each other a week ago, was seething with anger. How could he forget someone like her? Someone as beautiful as her? No man had ever forgotten her. "I'm Amelia's sister," she huffed, crossing her arms.Recognition finally dawned on Darien's face. "Ah, Romania," he said with a smile.She corrected him sharply. "It's Camila, Camila Fairchild, not Romania. But that's not important right now.""Ooh, sorry, Roma––Camilla," David replied, slightly surprised. "It's been a while. How can I help you?"Camila's expression turned a mix of concern and frustration. "I need your help," she urgently s