Chapter 104: The Eve of Storms and Bloodshed

Now that Alessia had become the general manager, Nicholas's targeting of the White Group had lessened, but he didn't cease his attacks on the entire White family, forcing Lennox to gather the family members and close all stores and investments not under the White Group's name.

The agreement to resist Nicholas had not yet been honored by the other three families.

Jasper's face was clouded with displeasure, however, knowing the predicament White family was facing, he endured it. "That's exactly what we're here to discuss today. I've decided that within three days, we must eliminate Beckett before we confront Nicholas in a battle for life or death!"

"So soon?" Giulio blurted out in surprise while Lennox's face brightened with excitement.

Giulio hadn't called back his death squad yet because he felt that if they were to act, they needed more time.

If we strike within three days, even if the devoted warriors rush back, they will not have enough time to gather intelligence before they have to join the bloody battle. Could this pose a problem...

"We have already delayed for long enough. If we delay further, the White family won't be able to hold on any longer. Beckett is not expecting us to strike now, presenting us with an opportunity," Jasper decided without hesitation and began to implement the plan with full force. "I, representing the Lewis family, have already decided. By the looks of it, Lennox is not likely to refuse. Giulio, you wouldn't drag your feet, would you?"

Jasper wore a smile that wasn't quite a smile, as he looked at Giulio.

He was feeling indignant.

True, he was the leader of the great families, but he had been harshly humiliated by Harold when asking for military support from Freton City. Despite making concessions for the sake of the plan, there was still no progress.

Now, to think that Harold would go to such lengths as to kill his own son to save Miss Costa clearly showed that, in Harold's heart, Giulio was far more important than himself.

Yet Giulio chose to hide in the background, unwilling to step forward, clearly preferring to be a spectator.

He couldn't allow the Costa family to miss this opportunity.

Giulio picked up on Jasper's dissatisfaction and, not wanting the Costa family to be excluded by the other three, reluctantly agreed.

In his heart, he reassured himself: "Having been in the Triangle for so long, the warriors can march out on short notice without much issue. It shouldn't interfere with taking out Henry first. After dealing with Henry, we'll go straight after Beckett!"

Indeed, Laura was currently with Henry.

After learning that Giulio was the mastermind behind her fake kidnapping, she felt utterly disappointed in her father. Betrayed in the worst possible way.

She didn't even have the heart to blame him anymore, much less any desire to return to the Costa family.

Henry was only too happy that Laura remained in the sanatorium, delighted in the fact that he could spend every day with her.

As for Giulio's threats, he didn't take them seriously at all.

It didn't matter whether Giulio could locate them or not; even if he did, he certainly couldn't get in.

Of course, Sophia and Isabella were more than happy to have Laura there with them, and the three would often be together enjoying their time.

However, Sophia, a doctorate in education, was adept at reading children's facial expressions. Before long, she noticed that despite Isabella's constant smiles, a trace of sadness was subtly etched upon her face.

Seizing the opportunity, Sophia pulled Isabella aside with a caring tone, "Isabella, don't worry. Henry is your brother and he adores you; he won't be unfair."

She realized that Isabella's worries began after Laura arrived, fearing that her brother's attention would be stolen away and he wouldn't be able to care for his sister as he had been doing.

But Isabella seemed lost, "I know that."

Sophia was puzzled, It's not because of that?"Then why do you seem a unhappy?"

"Laura is a good person; she has been very kind to me for a long time, and now even more so. Every time I see her, it reminds me of the nice people from before - Uncle Carlo, Helen, and… Mark," Isabella said glumly, counting on her fingers, "It's because of Mark that I'm feeling down."

"Who is Mark?" Sophia pondered for a moment but had no recollection of him.

She had heard of the first two.

The first one, Carlo, was the only one in the Miller family who stood by Henry.

The second, Helen, was Isabella's best friend from school. Isabella had excitedly told her many times about the incident when Beckett and the Tiger Gang visited, and she remembered Helen as a somewhat timid high school girl.

But she really had no recollection of ever hearing of Mark.

"After my brother left Freton City, the Miller family treated me even worse. The allowance they once gave me stopped, and Uncle Carlo had his own troubles and couldn't always take care of me. During those years, it was Mark who secretly fed me and gave me money."

"He was my brother's best friend, and being from a collateral branch, he was never favored. When the family wanted to marry me off to the Lewis family, Mark stood up in opposition, and then he was expelled from the Miller family, stripped of all his assets and property... I worry that he must be struggling now."

As she spoke, Isabella's eyes began to redden and tear up. She was a very kindhearted girl; she always remembered even the smallest acts of kindness from others, not to mention the many times Mark had helped her throughout those years.

Sophia was confused; with Henry's resources and abilities; he should have been able to take care of Mark. Why would the man be struggling then?