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The payback of Jeremy Xavier 11
“That’s enough,” Lady Vivan’s voice was cool and sharpas it filled the hall. Her gaze was fierce as she focused on Hailey, and each of her steps felt deliberate. Watching this woman sneer at Jeremy—her son, whether he acknowledged it or not—filled her with a sense of duty. This girl has gone too far; she needs to understand what it means to respect another human being and be taught a lesson.Hailey looked at her, frowning in irritation. “And who are you supposed to be?” she sneered.Lady Vivan didn’t flinch. “Someone who has no tolerance for spoiled, mannerless women,” she replied coldly, “I’ve been watching you, and I must say, I’ve never seen such blatant disrespect.”Hailey scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Do you even know who you’re talking to?”“Oh, I know exactly who I’m speaking to,” Vivan replied smoothly. “A woman who not only betrayed her husband but is shameless enough to mock him afterward. It’s a wonder you weren’t taught any better.”Charles put a hand on Hailey’s arm, mutte
The payback of Jeremy Xavier 12
The room fell into a tense silence. Everyone present could feel the shift in power, and neither Hailey nor Charles could ignore it. Hailey’s pride felt hurt. She looked at Jeremy from head to toe with anger and disgust. “Kneel? You want us to kneel for him?” she spat with indignation. “I would rather…” “Enough!” Charles barked, cutting her off. “Do you want to ruin both our lives? If Miss Vivan says kneel, we both kneel!” Hailey looked at him in aghast. “You can’t be serious! Charles, I…” “I’ve had enough of your tantrums, Hailey!” Charles snapped. “For once, just swallow your pride and do as you are told.” “But…” The look Charles gave her was killing which made her to swallow whatever word she was about to spill out. Defeated, Hailey hesitated before grudgingly lowering herself to the ground in humiliation. Charles slowly followed and bowed his head in submission. The sight was almost surreal; these two who felt like they were on top of the world couldn't help but
The payback of Jeremy Xavier 13
Vivan couldn’t help but steal glances at Jeremy, who was sitting straight in the back seat of the car. Her son, her only son.She smiled as she remembered how he used to giggle innocently. She was going to make sure those who trampled upon him got what they deserved.She slowly moved her hand and placed it on his affectionately.Jeremy, who was lost in thought, couldn’t help but move his gaze to Vivan’s side. Her gaze was filled with love and affection as she smiled at him.“I have someone to show you, Jeremy. He has been waiting for you for so long,” she said, her tone softening with affection.Jeremy didn’t say it, but the look on his face clearly screamed, *Who the heck is that?*Vivan smiled, knowing quite well that he would be as curious as anyone could ever be. “It’s a secret. I’ll show him to you once we get to the estate,” she said with a playful smirk, hoping to lighten his mood.Jeremy raised a brow but chose not to press further. His mind was already preoccupied with the ch
The payback of Jeremy Xavier 14
“Jeremy, the lady standing before you is Hope. Hope Lancaster,” Vivan said with a faint smile. Jeremy’s gaze hardened as his eyes locked onto Hope immediately. *Hope Lancaster?*—the daughter of Senator Klaus Lancaster, known for her unrelenting activism and high-profile influence. Everyone knows her. Her name carried a well-known reputation, and now she stood before him, calm and deliberate, like she owned the room. “Hope,” Jeremy repeated slowly in a low voice. He didn’t step back or avert his gaze. Instead, he tilted his head as he measured her from head to toe. “I’ve heard of you. You have quite the reputation.” Hope smirked, folding her arms across her chest as she met his gaze without flinching. “And here I was hoping for a fresh start. Tell me, Jeremy, what does my reputation say to you?” Jeremy’s lips quirked into a faint smile that immediately faded. “That you’re someone who likes to make waves. Someone who doesn’t back down easily. But I don’t impress easily either.”
The payback of Jeremy Xavier 15
Jeremy froze, his face a mix of disbelief and frustration. His thoughts were a mess as he tried to process Vivan’s shocking revelation.Bonnie, equally stunned, turned to Vivan, her usually professional demeanor faltering. “Miss Vivan, are you sure about this? With all due respect, Jeremy isn’t experienced. He doesn’t know the first thing about running a conglomerate this big.”“That,” Vivan interrupted firmly, her voice sharp, “is exactly why Hope”—she turned to Hope—“will be helping him. Bonnie, you’re one of my best, and I trust you’ll guide him well. This will be a shared responsibility.”Jeremy laughed incredulously, running a hand through his hair. “You’ve got the wrong guy. This... this is a mistake! I can’t do this. I’m not cut out for it, Vivan. You know that.”Vivan frowned slightly at him using her name formally. She had hoped he’d start calling her "Mum" soon, but it didn’t seem likely anymore.Her calm, resolute gaze met his. “There’s no mistake, Jeremy. You’ve spent your
The payback of Jeremy Xavier 16
After a few moments of awkward silence, Bonnie excused herself. She had been invited by Vivan, and it was clear that the meeting was over. She smiled before walking away, leaving Hope and Jeremy alone. Jeremy continued brooding at the desk, while Hope, sensing the tension, decided it was better to give him space. She walked out and was about to get a cup of coffee when she suddenly bumped into Vivan in the hallway. She heaved in surprise as soon as she sighted Vivan. "Miss Vivan!" Hope exclaimed, taking a step back. Her expression shifted from surprise to mild embarrassment. "I’m so sorry, I didn’t see you there." Vivan chuckled softly, her presence exuding the calm authority that always seemed to surround her. "No need to apologize, Hope. I was actually coming to see you." Hope raised an eyebrow. "Me? Is there something wrong?" “Miss Sinclair,” Hope began cautiously, “is everything alright?” “Please,” Vivan said with a faint smile, “call me Vivan. And yes, everything is fine.
The payback of Jeremy Xavier 17
Vivan leaned back in her chair, staring at Hope with a mix of admiration and gratitude. "Fate has a strange way of weaving our lives together, doesn’t it?"Hope shrugged lightly, a playful smirk on her face. "Or maybe Jeremy just has a knack for finding trouble, and I have a knack for being in the wrong place at the right time."Vivan chuckled, the sound filled with a warmth that seemed to ease the tension in the room. "Regardless of how it happened, I’m grateful. You may not realize it, but you’ve already made an impact on him. Even if he doesn’t acknowledge it yet."Hope tilted her head, considering Vivan's words. "He’s a complex person, that’s for sure. But I can’t help wondering... does he even want my help? Or yours, for that matter?"Vivan's smile faded slightly, and a shadow of sorrow crossed her face. "Jeremy's pride is his armor. He’s built it up over the years to protect himself from pain. But beneath that armor is a young man desperate for connection, even if he doesn’t kno
The payback of Jeremy Xavier 18
18.Hope leaned in slightly, her gaze unwavering. "Start with Ethan. What exactly went down between you two?"Jeremy hesitated for a moment, the weight of the memory clearly making him uncomfortable. He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he recalled the events. "I was at the office. Just taking a break, trying to get some air. Then I saw Ethan... he was harrasing one of the younger girls in the company, some kid who probably just started. Jeremy's voice grew tight as he continued. "Ethan was practically cornering her, making her feel small, like she didn't belong. He was saying stuff about how she wasn’t cut out for the job, pushing her around like she was some kind of punching bag. I couldn’t stand it." His eyes darkened, the anger still fresh in his mind. "So, I stepped in."Hope leaned forward slightly, her gaze fixed on him, sensing the deeper layers to his actions. "What did you do?"Jeremy's jaw clenched. "I told him to back off, that the kid was just trying to do her job
Latest Chapter
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"This is quite the cozy little celebration," A voice said as it dripped with sarcasm. Jeremy and Vivian turned immediately to see Ethan standing there with his tie loosened and his face full of rage. "Ethan," Jeremy said as he rose to his feet, “What the heck did you think you were doing?” Ethan chuckled bitterly as he stepped closer. "Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just disappear?" Vivian chuckled as she rooted to her feet in shock, understanding what was going on. "What you mean, Ethan?" she said, her voice steady but firm. Ethan ignored her as he kept his focus on Jeremy, “If you think that you can keep me locked behind bars, then you are wrong.” Ethan said as he took a step closer. Jeremy slowly walked in front of Vivan protectively, trying to make Ethan and Vivan meet. Ethan let out a bitter chuckle as he stepped further into the room. “Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just vanish like I never existed?” Vivian
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"This is quite the cozy little celebration," A voice said as it dripped with sarcasm. Jeremy and Vivian turned immediately to see Ethan standing there with his tie loosened and his face full of rage. "Ethan," Jeremy said as he rose to his feet, “What the heck did you think you were doing?” Ethan chuckled bitterly as he stepped closer. "Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just disappear?" Vivian chuckled as she rooted to her feet in shock, understanding what was going on. "What you mean, Ethan?" she said, her voice steady but firm. Ethan ignored her as he kept his focus on Jeremy, “If you think that you can keep me locked behind bars, then you are wrong.” Ethan said as he took a step closer. Jeremy slowly walked in front of Vivan protectively, trying to make Ethan and Vivan meet. Ethan let out a bitter chuckle as he stepped further into the room. “Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just vanish like I never existed?” Vivian
57
"This is quite the cozy little celebration," A voice said as it dripped with sarcasm. Jeremy and Vivian turned immediately to see Ethan standing there with his tie loosened and his face full of rage. "Ethan," Jeremy said as he rose to his feet, “What the heck did you think you were doing?” Ethan chuckled bitterly as he stepped closer. "Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just disappear?" Vivian chuckled as she rooted to her feet in shock, understanding what was going on. "What you mean, Ethan?" she said, her voice steady but firm. Ethan ignored her as he kept his focus on Jeremy, “If you think that you can keep me locked behind bars, then you are wrong.” Ethan said as he took a step closer. Jeremy slowly walked in front of Vivan protectively, trying to make Ethan and Vivan meet. Ethan let out a bitter chuckle as he stepped further into the room. “Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just vanish like I never existed?” Vivian
56
"This is quite the cozy little celebration," A voice said as it dripped with sarcasm. Jeremy and Vivian turned immediately to see Ethan standing there with his tie loosened and his face full of rage. "Ethan," Jeremy said as he rose to his feet, “What the heck did you think you were doing?” Ethan chuckled bitterly as he stepped closer. "Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just disappear?" Vivian chuckled as she rooted to her feet in shock, understanding what was going on. "What you mean, Ethan?" she said, her voice steady but firm. Ethan ignored her as he kept his focus on Jeremy, “If you think that you can keep me locked behind bars, then you are wrong.” Ethan said as he took a step closer. Jeremy slowly walked in front of Vivan protectively, trying to make Ethan and Vivan meet. Ethan let out a bitter chuckle as he stepped further into the room. “Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just vanish like I never existed?” Vivian
55
"This is quite the cozy little celebration," A voice said as it dripped with sarcasm. Jeremy and Vivian turned immediately to see Ethan standing there with his tie loosened and his face full of rage. "Ethan," Jeremy said as he rose to his feet, “What the heck did you think you were doing?” Ethan chuckled bitterly as he stepped closer. "Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just disappear?" Vivian chuckled as she rooted to her feet in shock, understanding what was going on. "What you mean, Ethan?" she said, her voice steady but firm. Ethan ignored her as he kept his focus on Jeremy, “If you think that you can keep me locked behind bars, then you are wrong.” Ethan said as he took a step closer. Jeremy slowly walked in front of Vivan protectively, trying to make Ethan and Vivan meet. Ethan let out a bitter chuckle as he stepped further into the room. “Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just vanish like I never existed?” Vivian
54
"This is quite the cozy little celebration," A voice said as it dripped with sarcasm. Jeremy and Vivian turned immediately to see Ethan standing there with his tie loosened and his face full of rage. "Ethan," Jeremy said as he rose to his feet, “What the heck did you think you were doing?” Ethan chuckled bitterly as he stepped closer. "Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just disappear?" Vivian chuckled as she rooted to her feet in shock, understanding what was going on. "What you mean, Ethan?" she said, her voice steady but firm. Ethan ignored her as he kept his focus on Jeremy, “If you think that you can keep me locked behind bars, then you are wrong.” Ethan said as he took a step closer. Jeremy slowly walked in front of Vivan protectively, trying to make Ethan and Vivan meet. Ethan let out a bitter chuckle as he stepped further into the room. “Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just vanish like I never existed?” Vivian
53
"This is quite the cozy little celebration," A voice said as it dripped with sarcasm. Jeremy and Vivian turned immediately to see Ethan standing there with his tie loosened and his face full of rage. "Ethan," Jeremy said as he rose to his feet, “What the heck did you think you were doing?” Ethan chuckled bitterly as he stepped closer. "Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just disappear?" Vivian chuckled as she rooted to her feet in shock, understanding what was going on. "What you mean, Ethan?" she said, her voice steady but firm. Ethan ignored her as he kept his focus on Jeremy, “If you think that you can keep me locked behind bars, then you are wrong.” Ethan said as he took a step closer. Jeremy slowly walked in front of Vivan protectively, trying to make Ethan and Vivan meet. Ethan let out a bitter chuckle as he stepped further into the room. “Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just vanish like I never existed?” Vivian
52
"This is quite the cozy little celebration," A voice said as it dripped with sarcasm. Jeremy and Vivian turned immediately to see Ethan standing there with his tie loosened and his face full of rage. "Ethan," Jeremy said as he rose to his feet, “What the heck did you think you were doing?” Ethan chuckled bitterly as he stepped closer. "Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just disappear?" Vivian chuckled as she rooted to her feet in shock, understanding what was going on. "What you mean, Ethan?" she said, her voice steady but firm. Ethan ignored her as he kept his focus on Jeremy, “If you think that you can keep me locked behind bars, then you are wrong.” Ethan said as he took a step closer. Jeremy slowly walked in front of Vivan protectively, trying to make Ethan and Vivan meet. Ethan let out a bitter chuckle as he stepped further into the room. “Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just vanish like I never existed?” Vivian
51
"This is quite the cozy little celebration," A voice said as it dripped with sarcasm. Jeremy and Vivian turned immediately to see Ethan standing there with his tie loosened and his face full of rage. "Ethan," Jeremy said as he rose to his feet, “What the heck did you think you were doing?” Ethan chuckled bitterly as he stepped closer. "Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just disappear?" Vivian chuckled as she rooted to her feet in shock, understanding what was going on. "What you mean, Ethan?" she said, her voice steady but firm. Ethan ignored her as he kept his focus on Jeremy, “If you think that you can keep me locked behind bars, then you are wrong.” Ethan said as he took a step closer. Jeremy slowly walked in front of Vivan protectively, trying to make Ethan and Vivan meet. Ethan let out a bitter chuckle as he stepped further into the room. “Oh, come on. Did you think you could kick me out and I’d just vanish like I never existed?” Vivian