Chapter 4 Cut Off All Cooperation
Otherwise, how could things line up so perfectly wrong?
Finished
“It can’t be. You’re overthinking it. This has nothing to do with Alba. She’s our birth daughter!” Avril insisted.
“Forget it. It’s late. You handle Alba’s arrangements. Tomorrow I’ll go to Titan Group myself and find out what’s going on.”
At the Gulliver Residence, after some discussion, the family agreed to change Evelyn’s last name to Gulliver. From then on, she would be Evelyn Gulliver. It kept her original first name while showing she was part of the Gulliver family.
Evelyn didn’t object. She had never cared much about names anyway.
The next morning, Penny prepared a simple breakfast–cream of wheat, canned beans, and homemade hashbrowns. Modest, but warm.
Cosmo wiped his mouth, grabbed the hard hat from the cabinet, and grinned. “Evie, I’m off to the construction site. Once I get paid this month, I’ll buy you some sweet snacks!”
As he spoke, he gave Evelyn a pat on the shoulder. The cream of wheat in her mouth nearly spilled.
“T–Thanks, Cosmo! Cough, cough.”
“Cosmo, be careful! Evelyn’s delicate. She can’t handle your heavy hands,” Charlotte scolded, immediately shielding Evelyn. Everyone knew Cosmo’s strength–an accidental pat from him
could hurt.
“Hehe, I’ll be careful next time! I’m heading out!” Cosmo said, swaggering out the door while singing a viral TikTok song under his breath.
“By the way, Evelyn, I heard you’re studying at Crownpoint University?” Victor asked suddenly,
“Mm. I’m in my penultimate year.”
“That’s great! No one in our family has made it to university before. Cosmo, well, he never had the brains for it. Vic… sigh. He used to have good grades, but he dropped out to help pay for your dad’s treatment. Charlotte only went to a vocational school.
“We’ve been pinning our hopes on Simon, hoping he’ll get into college and make something of himself one day. Now that you’re in university, we can finally say our family has a college
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student! I’m so proud.
Finished
“Don’t worry, Cosmo, Victor, and Charlotte are all earning money now, so the burden isn’t as heavy as before. When next semester comes, I’ll make sure your tuition is covered,” Penny said with heartfelt pride.
Evelyn hadn’t realized how difficult life had been for this family.
“Thank you, Mom,” she replied softly. Inside, though, her heart ached for them. She couldn’t imagine how they had managed to get by.
“Evie, make sure you finish college. With a degree, you’ll find work much easier. Unlike me–a vocational diploma doesn’t count for much. Some companies won’t even let me in the door. That’s why I’m stuck delivering food.
“Anyway, I’ve got to go to work. See you later!” Charlotte said as she pulled on her DoorDash uniform and rode off on her e-bike.
Life was hard, but their faces carried happiness and hope for the future.
“I’m full too. I need to head to work. I’ll go with Charlotte,” Victor said, getting up.
Once everyone left, Penny began clearing the dishes.
“Evie, are you going to class today? There’s a bus stop right outside. It’s pretty convenient,” she asked.
“I’ll go this afternoon. I don’t have class this morning. I’ll check on Dad first.” Evelyn headed upstairs as she spoke.
The house had two levels. The lower floor was mostly used for raising pigs, chickens, and ducks, along with storage. The upper floor was where the family lived,
“Evie, what brings you here?” Wyatt looked surprised to see her.
“Dad, did you have breakfast?”
“Yes. Your mom brought it to me.”
“Let me take a look at your legs.” Evelyn pulled back the blanket as she spoke.
Wyatt was stunned. Her expression showed no trace of disgust. Alba, on the other hand, had always been unwilling, even resentful, when asked to bring him a simple meal.
Evelyn first massaged Wyatt’s legs, then pulled out silver needles and began to perform
acupuncture.
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Finished
In truth, Wyatt’s nerves were still intact. His paralysis came from blocked blood flow, and years of lying in bed had left some muscles deadened or stiff, making it impossible for him to stand.
“Evie, are you… Are you treating your father?” Penny stepped inside and froze at the sight, stunned that her daughter even knew acupuncture.
“Yes. I’ll give Dad acupuncture every day. Along with medicine and rehabilitation training, he’ll be standing again in less than a year,” Evelyn said calmly.
Penny and Wyatt were overwhelmed with joy. She was so moved she nearly wept.
“If he could stand again, I’d gladly give up ten years of my life,” she sobbed, wiping at her tears.
“It won’t come to that. Don’t worry, Mom, Dad. From now on, I’ll be the one to carry this family.” Evelyn pushed another silver needle into a pressure point with practiced ease.
Penny and Wyatt didn’t understand how skilled she truly was. They assumed she was only saying it to comfort them. But still, their hearts brimmed with happiness.
“Evie is such a thoughtful girl,” Penny murmured.
Just think about Alba–lazy, spoiled, always impatient, and talking back. She couldn’t even bother to step foot in Wyatt’s room, never mind look after her crippled father. Alas, blood ties really matter.
Meanwhile, at Cirrus Inc., chaos had broken out. With Titan Group cutting all cooperation, the Cirrus family was freaking out.
The news spread quickly, and many companies followed Titan Group’s lead, refusing to work with Cirrus Inc. anymore. They had already lost projects worth billions.
Marshall personally tried calling Titan Group’s director several times, but no one answered. Left with no choice, he went there himself. But the moment he arrived, bodyguards blocked his way.
“Take a good look! I’m a valued guest of Titan Group!” Marshall barked.
“Valued guest, my *ss. Get lost!” one of the guards snapped.
They had been ordered from above: if Marshall–the Cirrus b’stard–showed up, don’t bother with politeness. Just curse him out.
“You… You insolent fools! Call Lucian out here right now! Tell him to come meet me!” Marshall shouted, hands on his hips, fuming.
Back then, Lucian Zellner, Titan Group’s director, had treated him with the utmost courtesy.
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Finished
Even when projects lost money, Lucian never got angry. He cleaned up after Marshall’s messes, handled the fallout, and showed him almost grandfatherly respect.
Over time, Marshall grew used to it, convinced Lucian was nothing more than his lapdog, eating from his hand.
“Mr. Zellner isn’t someone you get to meet. Who the hell do you think you are? If you don’t leave now, we’ll bring out the batons!” the guard warned.
Marshall nearly exploded with rage and tried to push forward, but the guards crossed their batons in front of him. He immediately lost his nerve.
“Alright, fine! I’ll remember this. When I see Mr. Zellner, I’ll have him fire the lot of you!”
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