Forsaking the Years of Longing

Chapter 25 "You scared me to death! I heard something happened to you, and I..."

Behind Jason, Callan arrived a step later, also panting, his face filled with worry-until he saw me wrapped in Jason's arms.

His steps faltered, and he stopped in place, watching silently before turning and leaving without another word.

I called out to him, but he was already gone.

"Alright, let go," I said, patting Jason's shoulder and pushing him off.

One of my bodyguards approached, reporting, "Miss Howard, as per your instructions, we've apprehended the group of thugs.

Shall we hand them over to the police?"

Ignoring Jason's shocked expression, I nodded. "And the woman inside as well."

After the bodyguard left, Jason followed me in silence.

"What? You think I can't handle Emily?" I asked.

Jason shook his head. "You should've waited for me. You put yourself in too much danger," he said sternly.

I laughed. "If I had waited for you, it would've been too late."

"I could've protected you!"

"Do I need you?" I countered, looking him straight in the eyes.

"I don't need you-your protection, your affection, or even your regret. It's all too late, and none of it matters anymore because I'm far stronger than you."

Returning to New York ahead of schedule was unexpected.

I had planned to return three days later, but in the early hours of the morning, Emma called me. My father had fallen from upstairs, triggering a medical emergency, and had been rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Panicked and overwhelmed, I immediately flew back to New York that same day and headed straight to the hospital upon landing.

My father was still unconscious, and the room was already packed with relatives and shareholders.

The moment I entered, all conversation ceased. The room fell so silent you could hear a pin drop.

The first to speak was my uncle, the head of the opposing faction on the board.

"Finally decided to show up? Baby girl, no offense, but ever since you returned to Howard, hasn't everything gone downhill?"

I froze, momentarily unable to process what he meant.

Only when their accusations piled on, layer after layer, did I snap out of my grief and understand the undertones.

Five years ago, I left home, creating the impression that I had given up my claim to the Howard legacy.

And now, as a woman returning just when my uncle was about to consolidate power, I had upset the delicate balance.

My father, nearing retirement due to illness, had reinstated me into Howard Group, where I immediately initiated bold changes, expanding into industries outside the

company's traditional scopevek

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This effectively crushed my uncle's share of influence, something he and his allies on the board would never accept.

Now, with my father hospitalized, they seized the opportunity to attack.

I only owned 8% of the company's shares - gifted to me when I came of age. If my uncle chose this moment to make things difficult, I had no chance of winning.

My entry into the company was entirely thanks to my father's support.

I had planned to prove myself with bold moves and establish a foothold, but now, before I'd even begun, they were already taking advantage of my father's accident to

strike.

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Looking at my father lying pale and unconscious on the hospital bed, I forced myself to stay calm.

I coldly dismissed the shareholders and relatives, driving them out of the room, and then sat alone in the hospital hallway, burying my head in thought.