Chapter 5319

Chapter 5319

Old Mr. Labbe said nothing, still focused on the antique in his hands.

Timothy turned to look at his mother.

The old lady, wearing reading glasses, continued scanning the newspaper. Sensing his gaze, she said calmly, “Timothy, you know I’ve never interfered in family matters—and I can’t.”

She had endured her husband’s infidelity when she was young. Only after her son rose to power did she finally get some relief.

Even now, she kept a low profile. Her husband was still alive.

And Old Mr. Labbe had always been ruthless.

She had no intention of provoking him in her later years.

Lowering the newspaper slightly, she continued, “I’m old. I don’t have the energy for these things anymore. At your age, what can’t you handle? You’re no longer a child. You’re the head of the Labbe family—even if only in name. You lead a major household. You need to prove your ability and earn people’s respect.”

“In today’s world, ruthlessness alone won’t get you anywhere. You need skill and intelligence. Otherwise, even if you climb to the top, no one will respect you. What—are you going to kill everyone who disagrees with you?”

She didn’t even look up as she spoke.

Back then, her husband had been able to eliminate the direct line because their numbers were small.

It only took targeting one branch.

Now, Timothy faced the entire family.

Was he really going to wipe them all out?

She sighed. “You can’t even solve the current situation, yet all you think about is eliminating people. Do you really think you’ll have peace after that?”

“That boy from Lonen Group is watching you.”

“If anyone in the family suddenly disappears, he’ll notice. He’ll suspect something. He’ll investigate. And if he finds evidence and hands it to the police, do you think you’ll escape?”

She sighed again. “If you want my advice, make peace with Lonen Group. Your businesses overlap—it’s entirely possible to cooperate and profit together. It’s better to have one more ally than one more enemy.”

“The Lonen Group is rising. The Labbe family is declining. That’s reality—and you need to face it.”

Timothy said bitterly, “Mom, that brat humiliated me in public—right in front of everyone at the banquet. And now you want me to bow to him and make peace? Where would that leave my dignity?”

He sneered. “We even sent Renata to get close to him, and he didn’t even want her. The only woman he keeps close is that bodyguard.”

In Timothy’s eyes, his daughter was far more beautiful than Jennifer. Yet Landen trusted that bodyguard completely.

As someone experienced, Timothy could tell—Landen’s feelings for Jennifer were anything but ordinary.

And Jennifer was fiercely loyal. She couldn’t be bribed or threatened.

Not just her—all of Landen’s bodyguards were highly skilled.

Stronger than professional assassins.

Where had he found them?

Timothy had once sent assassins to ambush Landen on his way home.

They waited all night.

But his car never appeared.

The mission failed—and the payment still had to be made in full.

Only the next day did they learn Landen had gone to another property instead.