Chapter 573

Finnegan was publicly reprimanded by a younger man, and he instantly flew into a rage. "Who the hell do you think you are? This is a Johnson family matter!"

"Zoey is my fiancée," Henry said calmly, standing up and moving to Zoey's side. "If you can't show some basic manners, I'm gonna have to ask you to leave."

Alfred coughed lightly and stood up, leaning on his cane. "Mr. Johnson, let the kids handle their own issues. Why don't we..."

Before he could finish, Jett suddenly rushed to the display cabinet, grabbed a crystal ornament, and smashed it to the ground.

With a loud crash, the priceless antique shattered into countless pieces.

"Jett!" Finnegan exclaimed, but there was little genuine reprimand in his voice.

Gabriel and Travis were so frightened that they started crying. Celine and Hazel quickly comforted them, while Zoey saw the last glimmer of hope extinguish in Claire's eyes.

"Security," Henry pressed the service bell, his voice as cold as ice. "Please escort these three out of the restaurant."

Finnegan stared in disbelief. "You dare to kick me out? I'm Claire's father!"

"So what?" Joseph stepped forward, shielding Claire behind him. "Legally, I'm the closest family Claire has right now."

Claire looked at Finnegan, tears finally falling. "Dad, please leave."

Security arrived quickly, and amidst the family's protests, the restaurant door closed once more.

Zoey held the trembling Claire tightly, feeling her silent sobs.

Gabriel and Travis ran over, their small hands tugging at Claire's dress.

"Claire, don't cry," Gabriel said earnestly. "The bad guys are gone."

Travis offered his little handkerchief. "Here, wipe your tears."

Claire knelt and hugged Gabriel and Travis.

Joseph gently stroked Claire's back, his eyes full of sorrow.

Zoey and Henry exchanged a glance, understanding each other without words. Some family wounds take more time to heal.

The sunshine in Marigoldia remained bright, but Finnegan's face was dark enough to drip water.

Security politely but firmly "escorted" the family through the resort's meticulously manicured gardens, drawing curious glances from a few tourists, making Finnegan feel like he was walking on pins and needles.

"Let go of me! Do you know who I am?" Finnegan shook off the security guard's hand and straightened the collar of his wrinkled suit. Thirteen-year-old Jett suddenly sat on the ground and threw a tantrum.

"I don't want to leave!" Jett's chubby body writhed on the ground, his voice sharp and grating. "Why can't I eat what that little brat has?"

Mabel hurried to pull Jett up, her bright red nails digging into his fleshy arm. "Get up! Stop embarrassing us!"

"Sir, please control your child."

The head of security frowned, his tone still professional but now tinged with impatience. "Otherwise, we'll have to ask you to leave the resort."

Finnegan's temple throbbed as he grabbed Jett by the collar. "Get up! Haven't you embarrassed us enough?"

He turned to the security guard with a cold smile. "Just wait, I'm going to file a complaint! I'm a VIP client here!"

The security guard handed him a room key without expression. "Your villa is in Coral Zone, Building B. The car is ready."

On the way back to the villa, Jett kept kicking the front seat, cursing under his breath.

Mabel tried to calm Jett down, but was pushed away.

Finnegan glanced at the spoiled Jett through the rearview mirror, suddenly remembering Claire's quiet and obedient demeanor as a child, the little girl who looked at him with timid eyes.

"This is all your fault!" Finnegan suddenly lashed out at Mabel. "Look at what Jett has become!"

Mabel's perfectly made-up face twisted. "Now it's my fault? Weren't you the one always saying a son should be raised lavishly?"

She lowered her voice. "And why didn't you stand up for us in the restaurant? Just let them kick us out like that?"

Finnegan gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles turning white.

He remembered Henry's eyes, cold as ice, and Zoey's undisguised contempt.

What scared Finnegan the most was Claire standing there, watching him get kicked out, with not a trace of reluctance in her eyes.

The Coral Zone villa was much smaller than they had imagined. As soon as Jett entered, he started complaining that it wasn't a presidential suite and swept all the snacks off the table. Finnegan collapsed on the sofa, yanking off his tie, suddenly feeling utterly exhausted.

"Finnegan," Mabel suddenly leaned over, nearly shoving her phone screen in his face. "Look at this!"

Finnegan squinted at the screen, which displayed a business news article: [Treasure Jewelry Company and Radiant Vision Entertainment Join Forces, CEO Zoey Discusses Cross-Industry Collaboration.]

In the accompanying photo, the woman who had protected Claire in the restaurant was elegantly cutting a ribbon, exuding a powerful presence in her business attire.

"She's the CEO of Radiant Vision Entertainment?" Finnegan's throat tightened.

Mabel's fingers flew across the screen, pulling up another report. "Not just that! Look at this, Windsor Group heir Henry officially takes over as CEO, net worth surpasses a billion!"

Her voice was sharp with excitement. "He's the man from the restaurant!"

Finnegan's hands began to tremble uncontrollably.

His construction company had been struggling for the past two years, and last month the bank issued a final warning.

If he could get in with the Windsor Group...

"Oh no!" Mabel suddenly covered her mouth. "Jett just took their kid's food! What if Zoey holds a grudge? If she teams up with Henry to go after us..."

"Not likely," Finnegan said, but his back was already drenched in cold sweat.

Business was war, and Finnegan knew all too well the tactics of these powerful families.

Mabel's eyes darted around, and she suddenly grabbed Finnegan's arm. "Finnegan, Claire is close to them. If she could say a few words for you..."

"Claire?" Finnegan sneered. "Didn't you see her attitude just now? She can't wait to distance herself from me!"

"Blood is thicker than water!" Mabel's nails dug into Finnegan's flesh. "No matter how much Claire hates you, she's still your daughter. Besides, her husband seems impressive too, dining with Henry and Zoey."

Finnegan's eyes gradually brightened.

Yes, Claire was still his daughter after all.

Even though Finnegan hadn't paid much attention to her over the years.

"Dad! I want to play a game!" Jett suddenly threw his tablet onto Finnegan's lap. "Buy me this gear! It costs eight thousand dollars!"

Normally, Finnegan would have forked over the money immediately.

But now, looking at Jett's spoiled face, he suddenly remembered the words of the three-year-old in the restaurant, "This person has no manners at all."