After Prison I Rushed into Marriage with a Comatose Tycoon-Chapter 116: Coercion

"What a display of brotherly affection. Young Master Fabian has such fine manners. The Lockwood Family will surely prosper with him at the helm."

"The future of the Lockwood Family looks incredible."

"You’re all too kind. I still have much to learn from my cousin." Fabian’s words were modest, but his expression was one of pure smugness.

’So what if it’s Shane Lockwood? No matter how much everyone admired him, he’s just a dead man now.’

Many guests crowded around the family’s second branch, shamelessly flattering them. Even a fool could see that the main branch, having lost Shane Lockwood, was now a tiger without its claws, waiting to be carved up at will.

Amidst the chorus of compliments, Fabian Lockwood’s ego swelled. Seizing a moment when they were alone, he asked Lord Lockwood, "Dad, has Grandfather said when he’ll give me the company shares and the CEO position?"

"He hasn’t. But don’t you worry. I’ll go up and speak with Master Lockwood right now. I’ll have him personally announce it in the memorial hall in a little while."

Fabian Lockwood nodded. "I’ll be counting on you, Dad."

Lord Lockwood replied, "I’m your father. It’s no trouble at all to plan for my own son. Today’s reception is crucial, so you must be on your best behavior."

Fabian Lockwood agreed, but the moment he turned around, he was all tangled up with Amelia Sutton again.

Though the Sutton Family was now teetering on the brink of collapse and drowning in debt, they were still the Lockwood Family’s in-laws, a fact that afforded them a certain degree of respect.

The fact that Amelia Sutton had caught Fabian Lockwood’s eye the moment she arrived drew particular attention from many.

Fabian Lockwood narrowed his eyes. "Are you sure you have a way to get Eliza Sutton into my bed?"

"Of course. She’s my biological sister. How hard could it be for me to plot against her?" Amelia Sutton said in a coquettish voice, stealthily rubbing her soft chest against Fabian Lockwood’s arm. "Just... don’t you forget about me when that happens, Young Master Fabian."

Fabian Lockwood pinched Amelia Sutton’s waist. "Don’t worry. A beauty like you? I could never forget you. How about this: you can accompany me as I greet the guests tonight. And when your sister gets here, you should go have a talk with her. My cousin may be dead, but she’s still young. She needs to move on with her life."

"You can count on me, Young Master Fabian."

A smirk played on Fabian Lockwood’s lips as he savored the pleasure of holding the soft, fragrant woman in his arms.

Feeling the eyes of the crowd upon her, Amelia Sutton lifted her chin high, her heart swelling with indescribable pride.

’Sean Hughes wanted to break off our engagement because of that bitch, Sherry Caldwell. Fine. I’ll just have to show him exactly what I’m capable of.’

’When the time comes, I’ll make the entire Hughes Family get on their knees and beg me not to call it off!’

With Amelia Sutton at Fabian Lockwood’s side, even Harrison Sutton, who had been completely ignored before, found himself surrounded by a few people trying to make conversation.

Of course, not everyone looked on with envy.

Ivan Willow’s brow furrowed in irritation. "The Suttons are just shameless," he fumed. "This is the funeral for the man I considered my uncle. It’s bad enough they’re not showing a shred of grief, but to have their daughter dress like that and parade around... It’s just disgraceful."

Chairman Willow looked pleased. "Not bad. You’re maturing."

"This isn’t about maturing, it’s about having a brain. Anyone who isn’t a complete moron knows you don’t pull a stunt like this at a funeral."

"Give you an inch and you take a mile. Now, scram."

"Fine, I’ll scram." But a moment later, Ivan Willow sidled back up and asked cautiously, "Dad, since my god-aunt is a widow now... she’s so young, she’ll have to remarry eventually, right? Why not just marry me? Better to keep it in the family, after all."

Chairman Willow replied, "I have no objection. Why don’t you go ask Eliza? If she agrees, I’ll arrange the wedding for you."

Ivan Willow’s face fell instantly. No need to ask. The answer was simple: he was a total coward.

Fabian Lockwood paraded Amelia Sutton around the room, the crowd’s fawning attention making him feel ecstatic.

Then, he saw Lord Lockwood coming down the stairs, his face grim. He dismissed Amelia Sutton and hurried over. "Dad, did Grandfather agree to give us the shares?"

Lord Lockwood’s expression was grim. "No. That old bastard said the Lockwood Family doesn’t belong to any single person. Shane Lockwood may be gone, but the Lockwood Family remains. He said he’ll choose the most capable person in the family to lead it."

"What does Grandfather mean by that? Is he implying I’m not capable?" Fabian Lockwood’s expression was venomous, but he quickly started laughing again. "I know someone who can persuade Grandfather. If she speaks up, the old man will definitely agree." 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

"Who?"

"My dear aunt, of course."

「In the study upstairs.」

Master Lockwood was gazing at a photograph of Shane Lockwood.

In the photograph, Shane Lockwood was barely in his twenties. He had taken over the Lockwood Group at an age when most young men were just starting college, and he already possessed the composure of a seasoned veteran.

He had thought Shane Lockwood would undoubtedly lead the Lockwood Family and the Lockwood Group to unprecedented heights. He never imagined his grandson would die even before an old man like himself.

At this thought, Master Lockwood felt his heart twist as if it were being fried in oil. He couldn’t hold back the tears that streamed down his aged face.

Suddenly, a knock came at the study door.

Mrs. Lockwood arrived, along with the family’s second branch.

Master Lockwood quickly wiped his tears and looked at his daughter-in-law as she entered. "Why have you come up?"

"I came to ask a favor of you, Father."

Master Lockwood felt a pang of guilt toward his daughter-in-law. "If you need something, just say it," he said gently. "There’s no need to beg."

Mrs. Lockwood said, her head bowed, "Father, I hope you will give the Lockwood Group’s shares and the CEO position to Fabian Lockwood."

With that, she presented a share transfer agreement to Master Lockwood.

Master Lockwood’s expression hardened. "Did they force you to do this?"

Mrs. Lockwood’s eyes instantly reddened. "Shane left behind only one heir, Emmett," she choked out. "As his mother, no matter how useless I am, I have to ensure his survival."

"You used Emmett to threaten your aunt?" Master Lockwood erupted in fury.

"N-No..." Fabian Lockwood was stunned. Downstairs, it had seemed like a solid plan, but Mrs. Lockwood had sold him out the moment she opened her mouth.

"Father, this is the photo Fabian gave me," Mrs. Lockwood said, handing it to him. "He said that if you don’t give him the shares, Emmett won’t come back!"

Master Lockwood had still held a sliver of doubt, but the moment he saw the photo of Emmett Lockwood hanging from a ceiling beam, he exploded. He grabbed his cane and lunged at Fabian Lockwood.

"I’ll kill you, you unfilial monster!"

Fabian Lockwood, Lord Lockwood, and Florence Young scrambled and hopped about, howling in pain as the cane landed.

Despite Master Lockwood’s age, any one of them could have easily overpowered him, yet none dared to make a move.

A flash of hatred glinted in Mrs. Lockwood’s eyes, but for Emmett’s sake, she had to intervene. "Father, please, calm down. The most important thing right now is Emmett. He’s so young... he must be terrified."

At this, Mrs. Lockwood began to cry again.

Master Lockwood stopped, sinking back onto the sofa, panting. His ancient face was stern with authority. "Second Son," he said, addressing Lord Lockwood. "If you bring Emmett back now, I will pretend none of this ever happened."

Florence Young couldn’t take it anymore. "Father, don’t bother pretending nothing happened," she retorted. "Things have already gone this far. We are getting those shares, one way or another."