Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption by Lilyheart

Chapter 191: Don’t you dare touch him ...

~Allen Family House~

The study was well lit and silent, save for the soft hum of the air conditioner that kept it comfortably warm and the rustle of paper.

Elder Allen sat behind a large mahogany desk. His face was pale, his eyes ringed with fatigue.Every now and then, he rubbed his temples before focusing back on the papers spread out in front of him.

The door creaked open, and Alfred stepped in quietly, a cup of tea in hand. His face was tight with concern and worry.

"Sir" he said softly, placing the tea on the table. "Wouldn’t it be better to rest for a while? Please. This isn’t worth your health." he said, his voice laced with concern.

Elder Allen looked up, his tired eyes meeting Alfred’s. He gave a small, weary smile but didn’t stop reviewing the documents.

"Jessica was very clear, sir," Alfred added, voice strained. "No stress. Eat healthy and take your medication once every two days. That’s the only way to recover, she said."

"I remember." The old man sighed. "But these matters won’t wait."

He had always remembered her warning and instructions concerning his health and knowing his body very he knew he had exceeded his limit but there are things to put together, things to keep from falling into the wrong hands.

Alfred’s heart clenched. For days now, Elder Allen had grown weaker. He ate little, barely slept, and stayed locked in his study more than ever. His breathing was heavier. He moved slower. There is only one reason for that — Elder Allen’s health had worsened.

Though, Alfred wasn’t a doctor, but he knew that stress and emotional pain were likely making things worse.

Alfred had watched him raise Davis after his son’s and his wife tragic death. And now, with Davis and his own wife missing for months, it was as if life had drained from the old man altogether.

"I’ll rest, but this can’t wait," Elder Allen said with a deep sigh. "Desmond is working hard to convince the board to make him CEO. And we still don’t know if Davis is alive or not."

"Yes, he may try," Alfred replied calmly, "but with the strong relationships you’ve built with most of the board members, he won’t succeed."

The old man gave a faint, humorless chuckle. "Loyalty doesn’t hold in a world where everything’s for sale. Relationships crumble when benefits outweigh history. Desmond might succeed—not by strength, but by deceit. And when he does, the Allen Group will be at the mercy of vultures."

He paused, gazing out the window. His fingers trembled as he sipped his tea.

He might have just placed the ball in the court

more about personal gain than loyalty. And the Allen Group, being a powerful company, had many enemies waiting to

simple," Elder Allen he continued. "But there are too many factors involved. If Desmond takes over, the Allen Group might end up in the hands of

was shocked. "Do you suspect someone?" he

everything — the company’s struggles, the death of Elder Allen’s son (Davis’s father), and the years it took to keep things going until

have my suspicions," Elder Allen said, "but I’m not

then, the sound of a car pulling into the driveway caught their attention. Alfred walked to the window and

said, his tone contemplative of what his purpose of returning

gritting his teeth. "Is he alone?" he

he gathered the documents, placing them in an envelope, and locking them

up the tea and took a slow sip just as Desmond opened the door. The door creaked loudly, and Desmond walked in with

fast strides, Desmond strode in, tall and furious, eyes blazing with cold fury. His face twisted with rage, like a predator cornered and ready to strike. He walked up to the desk. "Dad, why did you do that? Is that the best

you talking about?" Elder Allen

Davis dead after searching for three whole months!" Are you just going

three months, then you’re forgetting he was in a coma for four months last year before

it’s not the same. Last year, we knew where he was and got regular updates on his health as we checked on him. But this time, Nothing. No news. No trace we don’t know where he is. No one

"So what, Desmond? Declare him dead and take his place? That’s what this is about,

"You’re holding this family hostage for a

to refuse the idea. He had carefully planned everything — declaring Davis dead would make him the legal heir, giving him the company shares and full control of Allen Group. If Davis ever returned,

I don’t think I have gotten blind not to see. Do you think I don’t know your plan?" Elder Allen said, struggling to stay calm. "If Davis is declared dead, you inherit everything. The shares. The title. The board’s backing. But tell me—what do you plan to do with it? Run the company into the

thinking about the

patient and wait a little longer. We don’t know what

of us stuck under your control. Davis isn’t the only one who

man laughed bitterly. "If that were true, you’d be

"Always kept the best for Davis. What

said sharply. "You played the long game, waiting

gleamed with rage. "Enough! You’re blind with love for a man who’s probably at the bottom of

unable to bear it any

turned to him coldly. "Stay out of this,

didn’t flinch. "You are tearing