?Chapter 1647:


    After a few moments of awkward silence, Hamilton finally blurted, “You couldn’t even run a business right.”


    Brad stood there, speechless. Hamilton, for all his bluster, still fell short when it came to facing Josh head-on.


    Ethan couldn’t hide his surprise—he would have dly handed the floor to Dani if he’d known things would go this way. Hamilton was nothing short of a ridiculous fool.


    Josh let out a low, genuineugh, clearly amused by Hamilton’sck of backbone. He’d always known why Hamilton could never stand up to him. Back in their grandfather’s day, their father was the eldest son but never earned the family’s approval. The real star had been his younger brother, the second son—outshining everyone and fueling a bitter resentment that simmered for decades.


    Ironically, history repeated itself. Their father, despite having five kids, found his own second son, Hamilton, outshining the eldest when it came to talent. Unable to let go of old grudges, their father dumped his pent-up frustrations from the past onto Hamilton, stifling him at every turn.


    Hamilton grew up without so much as a word of praise, each slight pushing him further away until he finally left home and crossed paths with Cedric’s mother. In front of Hamilton, Josh carried himself with the calm authority of an older brother. So watching Hamilton shrink back now, Josh wasn’t the least bit surprised.


    “Why don’t you find out for yourself if I’m cut out to run a business? Frankly, I don’t have time to stand around and gossip. I’m leaving.” With that, Josh turned to go, making it clear he wouldn’t waste another second on them.


    “Hold on!” Ethan blurted, refusing to let Josh slip away. There was far too much money at stake to back down now. “Josh, I’ve always respected you. I really hope you’ll pay back what you owe me. No matter what, you’ll always be my brother. I’d hate for money to get in the way of that.”


    He couldn’t let go of thest shred of hope that Josh might do the right thing. Nearby, Dani leaned on her hand, her eyes wide with interest, quietly watching the scene unfold.


    “I already told you how it is,” Josh growled, his voice rising with irritation. “The money’s all tied up in investments. I can’t just pull it out. If you’re really desperate, I can scrape together three million, but that’s it. Make your choice.”


    Ethan’s lips tightened with resentment.


    He looked away, shoulders slumped, his wounded pride visible as he flicked a helpless nce at Dani.


    Hamilton’s nerves were raw, hisposure unraveling in front of his daughter-inw. He had strutted around earlier, insisting he had everything under control.


    How could he admit defeat now?


    The thought of groveling for help made his chest tighten with humiliation.


    If he caved, what shred of authority would he have left as Dani’s father-inw?<fnb685> Discover more novels at FιndNovel</fnb685>


    Hamilton’s voice shot up, edged with panic. “Cut the nonsense! Ethan already said he’s out. Give back everything he gave you, or prepare for the consequences.”


    Josh’s lips curled with dry amusement, his patience long gone. “Oh? You’re threatening me now? This I have to see.”


    He closed the distance in a single stride, radiating a challenge that left no room for retreat.


    Hamilton, Brad, and Ethan shrank back, as if the floor might swallow them whole.


    .


    .


    .