Chapter 147
“Wyatt, that’s enough,” Landon interjected, his voice steady yet laced with an undeniable authority. The calmness he projected was a thin veneer over the tension that simmered between them, a clear warning that demanded attention. “You need to calm down now.”
Wyatt remained unmoved, his posture rigid, his gaze unyielding. He didn’t even flinch; his eyes were locked onto John’s with an intensity that felt almost like a challenge. The anger radiating from him was palpable, a tempest of hurt and frustration swirling just beneath the surface.
“Wyatt,” Landon called out again, his tone escalating slightly, a hint of urgency creeping in.
Still, Wyatt didn’t shift his focus. “You need to stay out of this conversation, Landon,” he retorted sharply, his voice cutting through the air like a knife. “This is between me and Father.”
His eyes remained glued to John, as if daring him to break the silence.
John raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. “What? You have something more to say?” His tone was mocking, dripping with condescension.
“Yes, I do,” Wyatt shot back without hesitation, his voice filled with a mix of defiance and desperation.
Just as John inhaled to respond, the door swung open, interrupting the charged atmosphere. Gabriel strode in, Stone trailing closely behind him. The moment Gabriel’s gaze fell upon the tense standoff between his father and Wyatt, he halted abruptly, his instincts kicking in.
“What’s happening here?” Gabriel demanded, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the scene.
All heads turned to him, the air thick with unspoken words.
John was the first to break the silence, his tone casual but his words betraying the underlying tension. “Nothing, son. Just having a small talk with your brother.”
Gabriel stepped forward, his eyes darting between the two men, searching for the truth behind their expressions. Stone lingered behind, his gaze sweeping the room, sensing the unease that hung heavy in the air.
“This doesn’t look like a small talk to me,” Gabriel replied quietly, his voice steady but firm. He turned his attention squarely on Wyatt. “Wyatt? What is the problem?”
Finally, Wyatt tore himself away from John’s gaze and met Gabriel’s eyes, a flicker of vulnerability breaking through the anger.
“The problem,” Wyatt began, his voice thick with emotion, “is that you’ve been in that room with Grandfather for three hours. Three hours, Gabriel. Why?”
Gabriel clenched his jaw, feeling the muscle twitch in response to the mounting pressure. He fought to maintain his composure. “I don’t see how that should be a problem,” he replied evenly, though the tension in his voice was unmistakable. “It was personal.”
Wyatt stepped closer, invading Gabriel’s space. Stone instinctively moved forward, ready to defend his friend, but Gabriel raised a hand, signaling him to hold back.
Landon, sensing the volatile direction of the conversation, turned his attention to the women in the room. “Sia. Mia. Leave the room, please.” His voice was authoritative, leaving no room for debate.
Without a word, the two women rose and slipped out, leaving behind an atmosphere thick with unresolved conflict.
Wyatt edged even closer, his voice dripping with bitterness. “You see, little brother,” he began, his tone venomous, “whatever concerns this family concerns me. I am the first son of this house. I am tired of lurking in the shadows. It’s time I step up and take care of the family.”
Gabriel remained unmoved, his expression calm, which only served to deepen Wyatt’s fury. The heat in the room intensified, creating an almost suffocating pressure.
Landon, who had been sitting earlier, now stood and closed the distance, positioning himself just a few steps away from the brewing storm.
“I actually agree with you, Wyatt,” Gabriel finally said, breaking the silence. “You should show concern when it comes to the family. But these are just words. Start acting like it.”
Wyatt felt the sting of Gabriel’s words hit him squarely in the chest. Instead of contemplating their meaning, he twisted them into something darker.
“Fine,” Wyatt shot back, his voice rising. “I get it. Since you all seem to think I’m a fool, let’s settle this once and for all. The family property should be divided properly—according to age. Let’s get this done.”
Gabriel let out a low, cold laugh, devoid of humor. It was a sound that stripped away Wyatt’s bravado, exposing the foolishness of his claims.
“It seems to me that all you care about is the family’s wealth, Wyatt,” Gabriel replied, his voice steady but laced with disdain.
Before the tension could escalate further, Landon stepped in between them, his demeanor shifting from playful to serious.
“Wyatt,” he said, his tone surprisingly grave, “stop fighting for something that was never yours in the first place. My advice? Start something of your own… before it’s too late.”
His words were meant to guide, to help Wyatt see the bigger picture. They were genuine, perhaps even born from brotherly concern.
But Wyatt interpreted it as an affront.
“Do you think owning a club is an achievement?” Wyatt snapped, his voice rising in indignation. “Wake up, boy. That’s nothing. You think that makes you something? It doesn’t.”
Landon’s expression hardened, his jaw tightening. For the first time, anger flickered in his usually calm eyes. He stepped closer, his voice low and cutting. “I think I am better off than you, brother.” He paused, letting the weight of his words settle in the air before adding with chilling clarity, “No. Let me rephrase that. You are certainly not my brother.”
The room fell into a profound silence, the gravity of Landon’s words echoing in the stillness.
Everyone turned their attention to Landon, shock etched on their faces, even Wyatt blinked, momentarily taken aback. The statement cut deeper than any insult exchanged thus far.
And the worst part?
Everyone felt the undeniable truth in it.
But the lingering question remained: did he know something more?
Florence is a passionate reader who finds joy in long drives on rainy days. She’s also a fan of Italian makeup tutorials, blending beauty and elegance into her everyday life.