Chapter 191

John stood up suddenly, as if he could no longer bear sitting still. His face was tight with tension, his thoughts heavy. He picked up his phone and walked a few steps away before making a quick call.

“Yes, it’s me,” he said quietly but firmly. “Put her on the line.”

He ended the call and turned back toward Gabriel.

Without saying another word, he stretched out his hand and passed the phone to him.

– “This is all I can do for you,” John said softly. “Talk to her.

For now.”

Gabriel’s hands trembled slightly as he collected the phone. His heart pounded so hard it felt like it would break through his chest. He lifted the phone to his ear and waited.

He waited to hear Isla’s voice.

John did not stay to watch. He turned around immediately and walked out of the room, closing the door gently behind him. He knew this moment was private.

As he walked down the hallway, the sounds of quiet crying reached him. When he entered the sitting room, Gladys was still sobbing softly, her face buried in herhands. The pain of a mother who had lost too much was written all over her.

John looked away from her, his eyes moving across the room until they landed on Carl Hompton-now Carl Wyndham.

“Come with me, Carl,” John said, gesturing toward the front door.

Carl rose to his feet quickly. He walked over to his mother and gently pressed a kiss on her head.

“ll be back, Mom,” he said softly.

Gladys looked up at him, her eyes wet and pleading. “Becareful,” she whispered, her voice breaking. Carl nodded, squeezing her shoulder for a second. Then he followed his father out of the room. The door closed softly behind him, leaving Gladys alone with her sobs.

Outside, the evening air was cool. John stood a short distance away, speaking quietly to Stone. Their voices were low and serious. The moment Carl stepped closer, John turned to face him.

“How well do you know Delphine Winthrope?” John asked.

The question caught Carl off guard.

He blinked in surprise. “… I don’t understand,” he said honestly. “But we used to be close.”

John turned fully toward him now. He stepped closer untilhis face was only inches away from Carl’s. His eyes locked onto his son’s with intensity.

“I want you to define what you mean by ‘close,” John said slowly.

Carl swallowed.

He glanced at Stone, hoping to read something on his face. But Stone stood still, his expression unreadable, like always. Carl turned back to his father.

“Delphine used to be my girlfriend,” Carl admitted finally.”

That’s what I meant.”

John hummed quietly and nodded. He slipped his hands

– into his pockets and looked away briefly, as if arranging his thoughts.

“Son,” John began, his voice softer now, heavier with emotion. “I want you to know something very important.”

Carl straightened.

“When I found out I had two more sons,” John continued,” you have no idea how much joy filled my heart. You were so close to me all these years, yet so far away.”

His voice cracked.

A tear rolled down his face. He wiped it away quickly with the back of his hand, but the pain remained.

“I just lost my second son,” he said quietly. “Your brother.”Carl’s chest tightened.

“I don’t want to lose any more children,” John continued. ”

Not to enemies. Not to fate. Not to anyone.”

He looked directly at Carl again. “That is why t need you to promise me one thing.”

Carl did not hesitate.

“Father,” he said firmly, ” will do anything within my power to protect this family. Just tell me what you need me to do.”

John nodded slowly, relief flickering in his eyes.

“Thank you,” he said. “I want you to temporarily take over from your brother, Gabriel.”

Carl froze.

His mouth fell open slightly, but no words came out. His mind raced with questions. Take over? Gabriel? Why?

How?

“I don’t want you to misunderstand me,” John said quickly.

“Gabriel is not stable right now. His mind is not in the right place. I need someone strong. Someone calm.

Someone who understands the family but is not blinded by emotions.”

He paused.

” need you to step in for a while.”Carl took a deep breath. “I can do that,” he said carefully.”

But only if this won’t create problems between me and my brother.”

John stepped closer and placed a firm hand on Carl’s shoulder.

“Son,” he said seriously, “this will not separate you. It will” protect him.”

Carl nodded slowly.

“There’s more,” John said.

Carl’s eyes lifted again.

“When you resume office,” John continued, “I want you to reconnect with Delphine Winthrope.”

Carl frowned. “Reconnect?”

“Yes,” John said. “You will be playing a role. A very important role. Everything you do from now on will follow my script.”

Stone finally spoke, a faint smile on his lips. “I hope you understand now.”

Carl stared into his father’s eyes. Slowly, a smile formed on his face.

John smiled back.

“I see,” Carl said quietly. “So this is a performance.””Yes,” John replied. “And I expect your best acting.”

Carl let out a short laugh. “Then it’s showtime, Father.

Give me the script and watch how well your son performs.”

The three men laughed softly, understanding each other completely.

The plan had been set.

The stage was ready.

And the drama was about to begin.