?Chapter 1653:


    Ethan stared at the card in disbelief, the whole moment feeling strangely unreal. “You’re telling me this has all the money I sent to you?”


    Josh’s eyes twinkled with a sly warmth. “That’s right. The 28.5 billion you transferred over is all there—and I even added interest for the days I kept it. Not bad, huh?”


    In that instant, Ethan felt luck strike him dumb, leaving him reeling and frozen. “You’re really giving it all back?”


    Josh shed another easy smile. “Of course. The card’s password? It’s your birthday. I never forget.”


    Ethan stared at the sleek ck card in his palm, his hands shaking as he frantically had someone check the bnce. When the numbers confirmed it, shock washed over him. He looked up, still in disbelief. “But… why? Why the sudden change?”


    Earlier, every line on his face had screamed that he’d return the cash over his cold, dead body.


    Now, he was acting like the world’s most generous big brother.


    Josh justughed, draping an arm around Ethan’s shoulders. “Don’t be silly. I’m your brother—of course, I’m looking out for you. Who else will?”


    Hamilton and Brad stood frozen in disbelief, still processing the abrupt turn of events.


    Josh shot a quick look at Dani, then sauntered over with a broad, ingratiating smile. “Dani, I’ve returned Ethan’s money, just as promised. Maybe you could show a little goodwill and ept my sincerity?”


    From where Hamilton stood, Josh’s sudden show of enthusiasm came off as almost desperate—eager to the point of absurdity. Yet, there was something oddly gratifying about it.


    A slow, satisfied grin spread across his face.<fnffc4> Read full story at find?novel</fnffc4>


    This was exactly what he’d expected. His daughter-inw was no easy mark.


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    Just 100k at her—handling the situation with poise and steel. That was the kind of strength you couldn’t fake.


    Brad and Ethan stood frozen in disbelief.


    They had never witnessed Josh act this meekly before.


    Even in front of their father, Josh had only ever shown respect, but never this level of submission.


    It seemed the world never ran out of surprises.


    “Dani?” Josh’s voice trembled with unease.


    Dani’s lips curved into a faint, controlled smile. She nced at Carol and instructed, “Hold off on releasing the news for now.”


    The moment she said “for now,” Josh’s eyes flickered with murderous intent, his fury almost palpable.


    But it vanished in seconds, reced by that same obedient mask. “Thank you, Dani. Now that everything’s settled, I’ll be going.”


    Just moments earlier, Josh had worn a friendly smile. Now, standing tall, that warmth had vanished, reced by a steely, cold stare.


    The sudden shift left the McCoy brothers rattled.


    Ethan called out, “Hamilton, Brad, can you believe this is the same Josh we grew up with?”


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