?Chapter 1684:


    Josh gave a small nod to his secretary, who quietly left the room.


    Hamilton noticed every detail. He gripped the armrest tighter. “Josh, I just happened to be nearby. When are you sending the rest of my money?”


    “Didn’t I already exin?” Josh said, looking away briefly. “There’s a limit on transfers. You’ll get the rest in a few days. Why the hurry? With apany this size and major projects, do you really think I care about your pocket change?”


    Hamilton’s fingers dug into the armrests. “Josh, we’re family. I’ve had a lot of respect for you, but I hope you’re not fooling me. I didn’t make a fuss when you took money from the McCoy Group, but you know we don’t have much money left. We’ve been at the top for years, livingfortably, but we never really spread out our investments. We are all depending on this money to get by. If you’ve cheated us, that’s more than wrong—it’s disgraceful.”


    Hamilton held Josh’s gaze as he spoke openly.


    Josh’s lips tightened into a thin line.


    Hamilton pressed on. “Josh, just tell me the truth. Is there something wrong with this investment?”


    Josh stayed quiet. He slowly looked up at Hamilton. Just then, the office door opened, and thepany’s ountant walked in, carrying a stack of documents.


    Their quiet standoff was broken.


    Josh came back to himself andughed. “Hamilton, why are you always so doubtful? There’s nothing wrong with this investment. I put my own money in too. Why would I hurt myself? You’re just being paranoid again.”


    Josh smiled. “Look, thepany ountant’s here. I was just about to ask him to start your transfer. Hamilton, it’s no surprise you can’t keep up with Dani — you’re far too suspicious. Just go home. The money will be in your ount by the time you arrive.”<fnc7b3> Content originallyes from find·novel</fnc7b3>


    Hamilton stared at Josh for a moment, then slowly got up to leave.


    Just as Hamilton reached the door, Josh called out, “Hamilton, you’ve always been sharp — with business, people, strategy. Dad favored me, sure, but I always wanted to earn something on my own, to make him proud. I’ve always felt overlooked. How am I any less than you? I just wanted to prove I could do something too.”


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    In therge office, Josh’s voice sounded years older.


    Hamilton clenched his fist and said quietly, “You didn’t have to prove anything. In Dad’s eyes, you were always the best.” The room fell silent again.


    Their father’s favoritism hung over them like a steady, cold rain — one that some never escape from, no matter how long they try.


    Hamilton walked out.


    Josh let go of the armrest, stood, and stared through the tall window as Hamilton left the building.


    With a breath of relief, he turned to the ountant. “How much is left in the ount?”


    The ountant’s voice shook. “Less than a million. It’s all tied up in the investment. We can’t get in touch with the firm. People in Oiscoll are catching on — word’s spreading. They’ll know soon it’s a huge scam. What do we do, Mr. McCoy?”


    Josh stumbled, barely keeping his bnce. He leaned against the window, his voice rough. “Check if there’s any money left we can shift to pay Hamilton.” The ountant looked close to crying. “Mr. McCoy, we’ve already moved everything we could. There’s nothing left.”


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