"I don't think we stand a chance at this. The kid is definitely Laurence. He's probably trying to collect evidence and avenge his parents.
"It's not going to be easy for him to find evidence from thirty years ago, but he might have the family seal, token, and totem. He could show himself and announce who he is.
"That's enough for him to take over the company. When he does, that'll be the end of us. The family can't retaliate against him.
"Those our age and Manny's have done a lot of things we aren't proud of. We won't get off easy.
"Our grandchildren are still young, though, and they haven't done anything wrong. We should send them abroad, away from the conflict, as a way to preserve a future for them.
"Let them take whatever assets with them overseas.
"Even if Laurence comes back, the fortune we have amassed over the years won't entirely become Laurence's. At least, we can keep some for our grandchildren.
"Roxy can stay behind."
Roxy frequently followed her parents to various social and business gatherings and had confronted Laurence many times.
If she were to move abroad out of the blue, Laurence would catch on and stop their escape.
"We have enjoyed all the riches. Death doesn't scare us. We've lived long enough.
"Our grandchildren still have a world ahead of them."
Susan's intention was to keep the grandchildren safe.
She did not have the power to protect her children, though.
Tony paused from fiddling with his antique and turned to his wife.
They were not a particularly close couple in their younger years, though Susan's family had been a great support. Tony, on the other hand, had many women on the side.
Heck, he had a lot of children with other women.
Still, he never once considered divorcing Susan and marrying his lovers.
He was well aware that the only one who could support him and stand by him through it all was Susan.
Plus, Susan had a lot of evidence of the bad things he had done.
Susan could rip him apart if he mentioned divorce.
She had always been open-minded. She did not care as much early on in the marriage, so long as Tony did not have sons with other women. It did not matter as long as these women did not threaten her position as the lady of the house.
Provided that his wealth and business were inherited by the legitimate children born to her, she could not care less how many women he had on the side.
Even now, Tony kept the company of young and pretty women.
The submissive mistresses would get a chance to bear his children, but only girls. However, Tony would not touch them anymore.
He preferred younger girls.
With money, he could even get with barely legal girls.
"Are you saying that we'll end up like Belinda Fisher?"
"Do you honestly think we can escape that fate?"
Tony opened his mouth to deny that fact, but no words came out.
"You know better about the family's influence in Havenmill now. It's not that Manny is incompetent. Our rival is just far stronger. You said it yourself, Laurence is backed by powerful forces.
"We have all suspected that Laurence is a Longbottom. He's back for vengeance, but he hasn't acted on it yet. Instead, he established a business to compete with us. It hasn't even been a decade, and Longtail Group is already at the same level as Longbottom Corporation.
"He wants to be stronger and produce results. That way, when he comes back to take his throne, he can lead Longbottom Corporation back to success.
"The younger family members don't care about the past. It's not as if they even know the history. Their loyalty goes to whoever provides them with a job and a secure life."