Chapter 247

Chapter 247

Hearing this, Walter's tension eased somewhat. He settled back into his seat, lost in thought.

Charles had only been an infant back then—he couldn't possibly remember them.

Besides, they'd all changed their names. Judging by Charles's reaction tonight, there was no way he'd figured out their true identities.

Still, despite the low probability of exposure, Walter's expression remained stern.

"Don't be so reckless next time. A tiny leak can sink a great ship—you shouldn't need me to tell you that."

More of the same tedious lectures. Delbert felt a headache coming on. He couldn't understand what his grandfather was hesitating for.

Recalling Charles's arrogant demeanor tonight, he drummed his fingers heavily against the table, the dull thuds echoing through the room.

"Grandfather, we've been patient for decades. We came back here testing the waters at every turn, and we've gotten nowhere. Charles has Howard Manor locked down tighter than Fort Knox, with Shawn lurking in the background pulling the strings. How long are we supposed to keep this up? In my opinion, we should forget these roundabout tactics. Go straight for his throat—destroy his business, tear out his foundation. That's the efficient approach."

Delbert had long since exhausted his patience for lurking in the shadows. Watching the Howards control Nordkvist's elite circles while they barely scraped by in the margins was unbearable.

He'd grown up listening to his grandfather's stories—how he'd been humiliated after marrying into the Howard family, and how they'd been cast out after Grandmother died.

His parents had perished in that plane crash because of them. That hatred had been carved into his very bones. He was done with slow scheming. He wanted to demolish the Howards now, to finally settle the grudge that had weighed on them for decades.

Technically, he and Charles were relatives. But that blood connection had thinned to nothing. When it came to profit and revenge, Delbert couldn't say which drove him more—genuine vengeance, or simple greed for that massive commercial empire.

He didn't bother untangling his motives. He wanted both.

Walter's hand stilled. He looked up at his grandson, his gaze holding no reproach—only the shrewd calculation and cold menace of someone who'd weathered life's storms.

"Efficient? Back then, I wanted efficiency too. I wanted to reclaim what belonged to your grandmother as quickly as possible. That's exactly how Shawn caught me slipping—and got us thrown out of the family. You think Shawn's held the Howard throne all these years through kindness? He's craftier than a fox and more vicious than a wolf. Right now our foundation is unstable. If we go head-to-head, we'll just repeat my mistakes."

He paused, his tone shifting toward reassurance.

"Delbert, you're exceptional. But in this city, we're still severely outnumbered. Before they realize we're here, we need to lay our groundwork carefully. Even when we do what you're suggesting, we have to take it slowly."

Hearing that his plan hadn't been completely rejected, Delbert's expression softened slightly.

He grunted an acknowledgment, accepting his grandfather's counsel.

"Since you saw them tonight—how does Charles treat that woman?" Walter pivoted, his tone probing.

"He's obsessed with her. Spent the whole gala showing her off."

Delbert let out a cold snort, clearly disdainful of Charles's behavior.

Any successful man could have any woman he wanted. Charles voluntarily exposing his weak spot like this? The fool.

Walter's murky eyes flashed with calculating brilliance. He suddenly laughed—a hoarse, sinister sound laced with dark satisfaction.

"That boy's exactly like Shawn was in his youth. Ruthless, meticulous, flawless in business—impossible to find a single opening. Should've been our greatest adversary. But this Emily? She's his fatal flaw. His greatest weakness. His most glaring vulnerability."

He paused, excitement creeping into his voice.

"Shawn's roots run too deep now. We can't move against him directly—wouldn't dare. That would only alert the whole Howard clan and bring their full force crashing down on us. But Charles is different. He's young. Not seasoned enough yet.

"We start with Emily. No rush—just watch her. Find her weaknesses. Use her to control Charles, make him lose his composure step by step because of this woman, until he slips up.

"Once he's destabilized, the Howard family will fracture from within. That's when we strike. We won't just reclaim the Howard empire—we'll make Shawn watch his precious grandson destroy everything he's spent a lifetime protecting."

Delbert's frown deepened, resentment churning in his chest. His hands clenched at his sides, knuckles going white.

He admitted his grandfather had a point—Emily was Charles's weakness. But he couldn't stomach this endless waiting. Watching the Howards bask in their glory while he waited made the hatred in his chest feel ready to burst.

He couldn't shake the feeling that his grandfather's strategy was too conservative. If something went wrong midway, all their scheming would collapse. Better to cut through the mess with one decisive strike directly against the Howards.

"But it'll take too long. I'm worried we'll miss our window. The longer we wait, the more chances things go wrong. What if their marriage gets stronger? Then we'll have even less leverage."

The words came out heavy with barely concealed agitation. Even knowing he shouldn't contradict his grandfather, Delbert couldn't suppress his concerns.

"Too long?"

Walter's expression turned stormy, his tone severe. An oppressive authority radiated from him.

"We've endured decades—you can't wait a few more months? Anyone who wants to accomplish great things must never be impatient."

He fixed Delbert with a hard stare, enunciating each word.

"Listen to me. No rash moves. No direct confrontations. Just watch Emily. Learn everything—her background, her preferences, her vulnerabilities. That's an order."

Delbert's head snapped up, meeting the uncompromising ruthlessness and dominance in his grandfather's eyes. The protest on his tongue died unspoken.

He knew his grandfather's temperament. Once a decision was made, there was no changing it. Defiance would not only strip him of authority—it would jeopardize their entire revenge.

He drew a deep breath, forcing down the roiling frustration, resentment, and helplessness. The violence in his green eyes dimmed to a cold determination.

"Understood. I'll do as you say. Watch Emily. No rash moves."

"Good. Go rest. I'm tired—don't want to talk anymore."

Walter noticed his grandson's lingering dissatisfaction but had no interest in further explanation. He waved him away dismissively.

Delbert nodded and headed upstairs.

Once he was gone, Walter suddenly let out a cold laugh, as though speaking to himself.

"Saskia... I'm back. Wonder if you've missed me."