Chapter 229
Chapter 229:
Once Austin had gone, Brinley carried a cup of steaming milk into the study.
Behind the broad desk, Brandon sat with a document in his hand, his eyes unfocused as he stared past the words.
“Dad, have some milk,” Brinley said, setting the cup beside him. Her gaze flicked to the towering stack of paperwork scattered across the desk. “You stayed up all night. Why won’t you take a break p>
Brandon lowered the document and took a sip. The warmth slid down his throat, but the fatigue etched into his face didn’t ease.
о𝗿𝗴аո𝗶z𝗲 y𝘰𝘶r 𝗹𝗶𝘣𝘳ar𝘺 о𝗻
“I can’t rest. My head is too full of company matters.” He looked up at her. “Did Austin stop by earlier p>
“Yes. He dropped off some files.” Brinley didn’t mention Austin’s offer of assistance. Standing firmly at Brandon’s side, she said, “Dad, I’ve made my decision p>
Brandon paused, studying her.
“I intend to take control of Shaw Group and fold VantagePath Realty into it.” Brinley met his eyes directly, speaking with deliberate clarity. “The team and resources I’ve built at VantagePath could be exactly what Shaw Group needs to push through its current difficulties p>
For a moment, the study fell into silence.
Brandon gently set the cup back on the desk, porcelain tapping softly against wood.
“Brinley, you don’t have to go that far,” he said gravely. “VantagePath Realty is your brainchild. You poured your heart into it. Sacrificing it for a merger is too much of a gamble p>
“Dad, when you first gave me the startup capital, you told me that doing business means having the courage to take a leap.” Brinley’s smile was faint as her fingers brushed a photo frame on the desk.
It showed her younger self at the launch of VantagePath Realty—the backdrop a modest office under a hundred square meters, yet her expression brimming with fierce ambition.
“Besides, VantagePath never would have achieved its current success without Shaw Group’s support.” She drew a deeper breath, her tone resolute. “Two years ago, I was reckless. I gave up everything for someone who wasn’t worth it and left you to carry the load alone. But now I’m back, and it’s time for me to bear that responsibility p>
Looking into his daughter’s determined eyes, Brandon suddenly saw flashes of the little girl she had once been.
At ten, she would sit with the ledgers late into the night, her acumen with numbers earning even the veteran accountant’s admiration.
When Brandon had suggested she take over the company two years ago, her obsession with Colin had made her refuse. He had once believed his precious jewel was blinded by love and too fragile to face real storms.
Yet now, as she stood tall before him, he realized she had grown into a strong, independent woman—someone he could no longer underestimate.
“Have you thought through this merger carefully?” Brandon’s voice softened, though concern lingered. “Those inside Shaw Group may not welcome VantagePath. Some will only see it as you expanding your power p>
“I understand.” Brinley nodded firmly. “Lachlan has been able to rally directors because he feeds on their frustrations with the status quo. By bringing VantagePath in, I’ll be injecting fresh energy into Shaw Group. This isn’t about seizing short-term profits. It’s about proving my commitment to securing our family’s legacy for the long term p>
She paused, then pulled a folder from her bag and laid it before him. “Here are the financial reports and the proposed merger plan. VantagePath has maintained profit margins above fifteen percent for the past three years, and we already hold three prime parcels of land ready for development. If the two companies merge, we can immediately break ground on the southern city project and cut ahead of Lachlan p>
Brandon leafed through the documents, his eyes warming as he read.
He had always known Brinley was capable, but he hadn’t realized just how far she had come. The precision and foresight in her strategy reminded him vividly of his own younger years.
“Very well.” He closed the folder and raised his head, his eyes full of faith. “You have my support p>
A weight lifted from Brinley’s chest.
“I’ll transfer thirty percent of my shares to you.” Brandon rose, walked over, and set a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “That, plus your existing ten percent, gives you enough leverage to force those sly old foxes into line p>
“Dad p>
Brandon smiled, his eyes glimmering with warmth. “Shaw Group was always meant to pass to you. I was too rash back then, and the wrong methods only drove you away.” After a moment, he added solemnly, “From this day forward, the company’s affairs will rest in your hands. I’m getting old. It’s time for me to step aside p>
Brinley noticed the silver at his temples, and her eyes pricked with tears. The shadows of past conflicts seemed to dissolve between them.
“Shall we go to the office now?” she asked, clutching the folder close.
“There’s no need to rush p>
With that, Brandon retrieved a box from the bookshelf.
Inside lay a seal engraved with the Shaw Group emblem.
“This is the symbol of Shaw Group’s leader. It was passed down from your grandfather to me,” he said, placing the seal into her palm. “Take it to the boardroom and show them that you are the successor of Shaw Group p>
The seal felt heavy in her hand.
Brinley curled her fingers around it and gave a firm nod. “Dad, you can count on me p>
Brandon watched her leave the study, tall and upright. The fatigue that had clung to him for days seemed to fade away completely.
He stepped to the window and gazed out as the familiar black car rolled away from the courtyard. An irrepressible smile spread across his face.
At last, his daughter was ready to assume control of the family legacy.