Chapter 286: Extra, Third Uncle, Shame on You

Nathan Grant took the orange Chester Hale had peeled for him and started eating it. “I heard Liam Peyton was the one who made the call this time,” he continued. “Her arms and legs were crippled. And before that, she was…”

“Tsk. Elijah Peyton originally wanted to marry her off to the Coleman family for an alliance. But on the night of the incident, Liam Peyton gave the order. Afterward, Liam requested family punishment, and Elijah carried it out himself—basically getting public revenge for a private grudge. Liam still hasn’t gotten out of bed.”

After hearing what Nathan Grant said, Leah Sinclair and Asher Keating fell silent. Nathan leisurely ate his fruit, his gaze sweeping over their faces before he scoffed. “What, you feel sorry for her?”

“No.”

Asher Keating drummed his fingers together. He knew Phoebe Peyton’s end would be anything but pleasant. Even if the Peyton family hadn’t been so ruthless, Mabel Grant certainly wouldn’t have let her off. Besides, just for scheming against Liam Peyton, even if Liam himself was willing to let it slide, Titus Peyton never would have.

After all, as the head of the Kingsford’s Peyton family, Titus Peyton would never allow a traitor in his own household.

But he knew Liam Peyton’s ruthlessness wasn’t just to avoid offending Mabel Grant. There was a more important reason.

It was because of Leah Sinclair.

Asher Keating looked at Leah Sinclair. She had realized it too and felt a little awkward. She secretly hooked his finger, and a smile touched Asher’s lips as he enclosed her hand in his.

Nathan Grant looked at the silent Leah Sinclair and clicked his tongue. “What about you, Leah? Do you think she’s pitiful?”

Leah Sinclair nodded, then shook her head. “Since she chose to do those things, she has to bear the consequences.”

“It’s more than that.”

Asher Keating squeezed her hand. “If all the things she did before had succeeded, what state would you be in now? So there’s no need to think her consequences are too severe.”

“Third Master Keating is right. Besides, did you really think this is all Phoebe Peyton has done? She’s been busy these past few years abroad. The Peyton family’s internal struggles are far more dramatic than what we know,” Nathan Grant said, wiping his hands.

Leah Sinclair pressed her lips together and sighed softly. As for Phoebe Peyton, she had no desire to ask what she had done abroad. That had nothing to do with her.

Nathan Grant and Chester Hale stayed for a while longer before leaving. Asher Keating looked at the quiet Leah Sinclair, pinched her cheek, and said, “You should give Liam Peyton a call.”

“Maybe not. Wynn did what he did, whether I call him or not. Besides, I wouldn’t know what to say. I can’t just… thank him, can I?”

Leah Sinclair thought about it and still felt there was no need to make the call. She truly didn’t know what to say to Liam Peyton, especially since he had requested family punishment right after giving the order. That made it even more difficult for her to know what to say.

The joint project between the Peyton Group and the Keating was still ongoing. The Peyton family had sent someone who knew the business to take over Phoebe Peyton’s position. Liam Peyton probably wouldn’t be coming to Riverfall again, so it was best to just let things be.

Asher Keating didn’t press the issue. He took her hand, looking at the rings on her left ring finger and his own. A smile spread across his face. “What made you think of using this pair of rings that day?”

“I don’t know either.”

Leah Sinclair’s hand was held in Asher Keating’s. She looked at the rings, her eyes curving into a smile. “When I went back to get the rings, I just grabbed this pair. For me, whether it’s an engagement or a wedding, I’m set on you. So it didn’t matter which rings we wore.”

Asher Keating laughed, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her. Just as he was about to speak, a cute, childish voice came from the doorway. “Uncle, naughty naughty.”

Leah Sinclair and Asher Keating looked toward the door and saw Alan Keating holding Talia Keating, with Sharon Shaw standing beside them. The words had come from Talia. Leah’s face instantly flushed, and she stood up to greet them.

Alan Keating and Sharon Shaw had teasing smiles on their faces. Asher Keating, however, was perfectly composed as he greeted them. He then crouched down, gently pinching Talia Keating’s little cheek. “You little rascal,” he chuckled, “do you even know what ‘naughty naughty’ means?”

“Uh-huh.”

Talia Keating took a moment to process, then nodded. She puckered her lips, planted a kiss on Asher Keating’s cheek, and then said again, “Naughty naughty.”

The kiss made everyone in the room laugh. Asher Keating’s heart melted. Talia Keating’s treatment in Kingsford was proving to be very effective.

Although her reaction time still wasn’t quite that of a typical child her age, she was doing much better than when she started. As long as she continued with the treatment, she should be able to catch up to her peers.

Leah Sinclair washed some fruit for them and sat with Sharon Shaw, keeping Talia Keating company. Leah peeled fruit for the little girl, trying to draw her into conversation.

Alan Keating watched Asher Keating with a smile. Asher’s gaze was fixed on Leah Sinclair and Talia Keating, his expression soft. Alan gestured with his chin. “Wipe that look off your face. If you want a child, go have one of your own. What are you staring at my daughter for?”

“Give it two years.”

Asher Keating let out a soft sigh. He would love one—a daughter, just like Leah. That would be wonderful. But he knew Leah wasn’t ready to have children yet. After all, she hadn’t had a chance to truly spread her wings in her career.

‘Oh well, we’ll wait two years,’ he thought. ‘We can talk about it once Leah’s career is established. Besides… I haven’t had enough of our life as just the two of us yet.’

“Oh, right. Take a look at this. It’s from the old guard of the Sterling family,” Alan said.

Alan Keating handed a few documents to Asher Keating. The Sterling Group had completely collapsed. While there were still a few juniors from collateral branches of the family, they were all good-for-nothings. As for these Sterling family elders, they all had one foot in the grave.

They weren’t thinking about using what little was left to keep things afloat; they were only interested in selling everything off, cashing out, and enjoying one last payday.

Asher Keating knew their intentions the moment he finished reading. He sneered, closed the folder, and handed it back to Alan Keating. Alan was puzzled. “You’re not taking it?”

He and Theodore Keating had run the numbers carefully. These assets were definitely worth acquiring. With them, the Keating would become the undisputed powerhouse in Riverfall, and perhaps even in the several surrounding provinces.

“Of course we’re taking it. Just knock another twenty percent off the price.”

“Twenty percent? Isn’t that too much? I’m worried they’ll find the price too low and sell to someone else,” Alan Keating said, frowning slightly.

“Tell them that if they agree to our price, we’ll take it all. If they don’t, they can sell it off slowly.”

Asher Keating tapped his fingers together. He knew the Sterling family elders would agree. After all, their only goal now was to cash out as quickly as possible.

And in all of Riverfall, only the Keating had the resources to acquire everything in one go, although the Grant Group also had the capacity.

Based on his understanding, the Grant Group wouldn’t get involved. Even if they did buy, they would only pick up a few assets at most, not all of them. After all, in Riverfall, everyone still looked to the Keating.

A mighty dragon can’t crush a local snake. This ancient wisdom, passed down through the ages, has always held true for a reason.

Alan Keating nodded, indicating he understood.

“Big Brother, once these assets are acquired, I’ll leave them in your hands.”

Alan Keating’s hand froze. He looked at Asher Keating, stunned. The younger man simply smiled faintly. Alan pressed his lips together, his voice strained as he asked, “Why?”

“You’ve worked so hard recently, Big Brother. Besides, I still have a honeymoon to go on. I’ll have no choice but to trouble you again.”

Alan Keating was silent for a long time, looking at his brother sitting on the hospital bed. He was even thinner than before Alan had left for Kingsford. Seeing him now, looking at him with that faint smile, Alan couldn’t help but feel a pang in his heart. His little brother had truly been through so much these past few years.

“It’s not hard work, and it’s no trouble.”

Alan Keating’s voice was soft. Asher Keating patted his arm, then turned his head to look at Leah Sinclair. She had just been kissed by Talia Keating, and her eyes were curved into crescents as she smiled. Asher’s own eyes filled with adoration.