The Captain I Married by Chance novel Chapter 576

Harold obviously knew it too, which was why he had played along so easily.

Their unique dynamic left her slightly bewildered, but she found it incredibly endearing.

"I know, Grandpa."

Harold smiled at her response.

None of them brought up the brief distraction, smoothly transitioning back to the family history.

"They didn't actually want to sell their shares at first."

They weren't stupid. As long as the company stayed afloat, they had a guaranteed income.

And given their financial stability, the company wasn't going under anytime soon.

The shares were basically a permanent, highly lucrative asset.

And its value was only going to skyrocket.

"But they let greed get the better of them. First, just one of them wanted to cash out. Then, eventually, they all liquidated their equity to dump it into some 'can't-lose' investment scheme."

The outcome was entirely predictable.

They lost every last dime.

Nora thought for a moment. "So, did the final fallout happen because of what they did after they went bankrupt?"

"Yes."

He didn't mince words. "When we split, I made it very clear: once the assets were divided, we were no longer a single unit. I told them that if there was ever a true, life-or-death crisis where family needed to stand together, I'd be there. But for anything else, they were on their own."

"They agreed at first. But when every single venture they touched turned to dust, their attitude shifted."

"I was consumed by rage. I put the word out: if any of them ever dared use the Peyton name again, I would make them wish they'd never been born."

"That terrified them. They started looking for other options, so they kept their heads down for a while."

He sighed. "Somehow, my threat leaked. The public didn't know the whole story; they only knew I had banished my relatives. So, everyone assumed it was a ruthless corporate coup on my part."

"Those idiots thought the public backlash would weaken me, so they tried to use the press to force me out. But I was ready for them. I used their own momentum to permanently exile the troublemakers."

"Arthur's father was one of them."

"He was mostly collateral damage. He only held a minor stake, and he had a very passive personality. He was essentially bullied into joining their pathetic little alliance."

"Because of that, I always had a soft spot for Arthur, which is why I didn't mind him moving back."

"But I never expected..."