Chapter 225

Chapter 225:

Brandon waved a hand dismissively, his voice heavy with fatigue. “It’s nothing—just some urgent company matters I had to deal with late into the night p>

Felix’s brows knitted, suspicion written all over his face. “Urgent enough to keep you out until morning p>

Brandon tried for a calm tone. “I was only handling some documents—hardly the big deal you’re making it out to be p>

Felix didn’t buy it. “Paperwork made you this weary p>

𝖳h𝘰u𝘀𝗮n𝗱𝘴 𝗼𝘧 rea𝖽𝘦𝘳s 𝗼𝗇 ѕ.с𝗈𝗆

Behind his lighthearted demeanor, Felix’s perception outstripped everyone around him. His frown deepened. “Something happened at the company, didn’t it? Tell me—I might be able to help p>

Brandon waved him off again. “Don’t worry, I’ve got this p>

He turned toward the sofa, but his step faltered.

Felix was there in an instant, catching his arm before he could stumble, a knot of unease tightening in his chest.

In all his memories, Brandon had always been steady and decisive—a man who could weather any storm. Even during the Shaw Group’s roughest years, his father could still ruffle his hair with a smile and say, “It’s fine p>

But this gaunt, exhausted figure was anything but fine.

Felix’s voice deepened with frustration. “I’m part of this family and part of the company now. I deserve to know what’s going on p>

Before Brandon could reply, the faint creak of the staircase broke the tense air.

Brinley appeared, her steps slowing as she took in the scene. When her gaze swept over Brandon, her brow knotted without hesitation. He looked exhausted to the bone, every line of his face drawn tight.

“Brinley, you talk some sense into him!” Felix called out, latching onto her like a lifeline. “Dad stayed at the company all night and won’t tell me a thing p>

Brinley hurried over, her expression tightening into a deeper frown as she studied Brandon’s features. “Dad, are you feeling sick? Let me call the family doctor to take a look p>

“I’m fine.” Brandon gulped the water the servant handed him, some of it spilling down the corner of his mouth.

Brinley and Felix exchanged a worried glance, the tension between them unspoken but clear.

“If you won’t tell us the truth, I’ll call Brennen right now,” Felix threatened, pulling out his phone, thumb hovering dramatically over the screen. “If he finds out you’re like this p>

“Don’t!” Brandon’s voice cracked, the harshness melting into weary resignation. “Brennen is on a mission. Don’t get in his way p>

Brinley slipped onto the sofa beside Brandon and wrapped her fingers around his slightly chilled hand. “Dad, you always said we’re a family and we face everything together. Please—just tell us what’s going on p>

Her voice was gentle, but it carried undeniable seriousness. Brandon’s gaze flicked between Brinley’s steady eyes and Felix’s stubborn expression.

At last, the tension in his shoulders sagged. He set the cup down with a heavy thud.

He sighed, his voice rough with exhaustion. “Do you still remember Lachlan Hussain p>

Both Brinley and Felix froze, stunned into silence.

Lachlan had been there since the beginning—Brandon’s right hand in building the Shaw Group from the ground up. For years, he had been like family to the Shaws, his unwavering kindness toward Brandon’s children never faltering.

“What about him?” Felix asked quickly, tension sharpening his tone.

“He isn’t satisfied with Shaw Group’s dividends.” Brandon’s eyelids lowered, as if the words pained him. Disappointment roughened his voice. “Three months ago, he quietly partnered with others to register a rival company with the same operations as ours p>

Brinley’s heart plummeted, the revelation landing like a stone in her chest.

The Shaw Group had spent three decades building its reputation in real estate and new energy across Bleron. Lachlan, a commanding figure within the company, held an iron grip on core clients and major project leads.

“Did he… poach our clients?” Brinley asked, her voice tight.

“Worse than that.” Brandon gave a humorless laugh. “He exploited his position to hijack several government projects we were negotiating, even persuading two of our partners to side with him. And last night, I got word—his new company is bidding for the southern city land parcel, undercutting us by a full five points p>

In utter disbelief, Felix’s jaw slackened. “He’s openly challenging Shaw Group? Isn’t he worried we’ll take him to court p>

Brandon rubbed his aching temples, fatigue weighing down his tone. “He’s spent over twenty years at Shaw Group, and by now he’s patched every gap until nothing slips past him. Each transfer was handled by the book, giving the appearance that everything is legally flawless p>

Brinley fell quiet, her thoughts flashing back to that painful clash with Brandon two years ago. Back then, when she had stubbornly defended Colin, Brandon’s hair had turned gray almost overnight.

Blinded by infatuation, she had only seen her father as stubborn, never recognizing the crushing weight he carried alone.

“Dad… have you known about this for a while?” Her voice wavered as guilt pressed in. “Is it because Felix and I weren’t here for you that p>

“It has nothing to do with you two,” Brandon cut in gently, his expression softening. “This is my own burden. In the past two years, I’ve had no drive and turned down many partnerships. The board grew restless, and when Lachlan made his move, it was only natural others would follow p>

He hesitated, eyes dimming with regret as he looked at her. “I owe you an apology. If I hadn’t driven you so hard back then p>

“Let’s not dig up the past, Dad.” Brinley squeezed his rough, calloused hand, her chest tightening at the reminder of how much he’d weathered. “What matters now is fixing this. Don’t worry—I’ve built plenty of contacts in the real estate world these past few years. I might be able to turn things around p>