Chapter 898: How To Explain
There were very few conflicts among the Huttons now.
Although Collin was Michael’s older brother, he wasn’t outstanding in terms of talent or ambition, so when their father pa.s.sed the position of helmsman to his younger brother, Collin didn’t have any objections.
Moreover, Collin had always been low profile over the years, and he wasn’t too interested in power struggles.
This was why Michael could remain stable in his position as helmsman and take control of almost all the power of the Huttons.
But now that Collin’s wife and son had been a.s.sa.s.sinated overnight, and the public was saying that Jace was the culprit, even the most low-key person wouldn’t be able to bear with it any longer.
Hearing Collin’s accusation, Jace immediately stood up and retorted in exasperation, “Uncle Collin, aren’t you going overboard by saying that about me?
“I admit that I am indeed in charge of all the businesses under attack, but it’s obvious that it’s a conspiracy targeting me! I believe that someone as smart as you should be able to see this, right?
“I’m still young, and I may not be good at some things, but it’s not the right time to hold me accountable now!”
“We’re currently facing a huge crisis, and if we still can’t find a way to solve the problem first, the entire Hutton family will be in danger!
“So, Uncle Collin, even if you want to blame me, please wait until after we’ve resolved this crisis, okay?”
…
Jace was the successor of the Huttons and the person in charge of all the industries in trouble. Now that Collin accused him in front of everyone, if he couldn’t come forward to face it, he wouldn’t have any prestige in the Hutton family anymore.
It had to be said that what Jace said was quite good.
Not only did he explain that the huge losses of the family weren’t due to his poor management but because of people targeting him, but he even tried to get Collin to put aside the other matters first and resolve the external threats before dealing with anything else.
Michael nodded in approval. “Jace is right. This time, it’s obviously a conspiracy against the Huttons and Jace. Therefore, I agree with Jace’s opinion that we should first unite to deal with the enemies and that we shouldn’t start any internal strife at this time. We would be creating more opportunities for the enemies instead.
“I’ll make some arrangements first—”
...
“Wait!” Collin couldn’t stand it anymore. He stood up and said angrily, “Stop trying to take the moral high ground! If some things aren’t resolved first, I couldn’t care less about this mess!
“As you all know, my wife and son both died last night! There are rumors that Jace is the culprit!
“You must give me a reasonable explanation for this! Otherwise, even if there’s a flood outside and the Huttons get wiped out, I will still avenge them!”
Collin’s eyes were red as he glared at Jace, his anger almost gus.h.i.+ng out from his body.
The Huttons in the conference room were stunned. None of them expected Collin, who had always kept a low profile and didn’t speak much, to lose his temper.
“Collin!” Michael shouted. “I will definitely make Jace give you an explanation for this matter! But we’re holding this family meeting to discuss a serious matter. Let’s deal with the problem at hand before we explain it to you, alright?”
Collin slammed the table and sneered. “Fine, the family being under attack and suffering some losses is a serious matter for you, but my wife and son being killed overnight is just a trivial matter, huh?
“Michael, do you think I’m a pushover just because I’ve never fought with you?
“Now, all the evidence and public opinion are pointing at your son, yet you haven’t said a single thing about it. Do you even still treat me as your brother and a Hutton?
“In short, if you can’t give me an explanation today, I will never let it go!”
Collin roared angrily, his eyes completely bloodshot.
Michael closed his eyes and tried to suppress the anger in his heart. He tried to pacify his brother in the best way he could. “Collin, it’s not that I don’t care, and it’s not that the deaths of your wife and son aren’t important. But we have to get our priorities straight!
“The Huttons are now facing a major crisis. The Smiths and the Howards are attacking us at the same time. If we can’t resolve this matter as soon as possible, the Huttons will be in great danger. We might even be destroyed!
“We’re all in the same boat. If the Huttons are annihilated, none of us will end up well!
“We’re extremely sympathetic about your wife and son, but since this matter has already happened, all we can do now is to thoroughly investigate this matter and find out who the murderer is to avenge Joanna and Enzo!
“Collin, I can a.s.sure you that after we resolve this crisis, I will definitely give you an explanation. Regardless of who the murderer is, I won’t let them off! If someone in the family is the culprit, I won’t be biased! Please rest a.s.sured, Collin!” Michael said very seriously.
Although he could empathize with Collin for the loss of his son and his wife overnight, he was still the helmsman of the Huttons after all. The Huttons were now facing a huge crisis, and they could possibly be devoured by the Smiths and the Howards.
To put it bluntly, Joanna and Enzo were already dead, so it didn’t matter if they were avenged a few days later.
The most important thing now was to resolve the Huttons’ crisis!
“No! You must give me an explanation right now. Otherwise, you can forget about continuing with the meeting!” Collin said firmly.
“You!” Michael was infuriated. But Collin was his elder brother, so there was no way he could really get people to drag Collin away.
“Okay, what kind of explanation do you want?” Michael asked through clenched teeth.
Collin glanced at Jace. “I want you to remove Jace as the successor and replace him!”