Jonah stormed in, radiating hostility.


    The cks froze, uncertain whether Jonah hade for them or for Wade.


    Wade, pushed to his limits, let out a humorlessugh. He stalked up to Jonah, grabbed him by the cor, and spat, "Jonah, are you out of your mind? It''s my buddy''s birthday-what the hell are you doing here, trying to ruin it?"


    He red, voice sharp. "I''m telling you get out. Now."


    Jonah scoffed. "Oh, so you tell me to leave and I just run along? Not a chance."


    He dropped into the nearest chair,pletely at ease, then looked right at the cks, making a show of it. He even shot Curry a wink. "Isn''t that right, Curry?"


    Curry clenched his fists, face twisting with anger.


    At the same time, the cks exchanged a nce. Mrs. ck put on her brightest smile and stepped forward to chime in:


    "Mr. Griffin''s right. You''re the only son of the Griffin family-the whole estate will be yours one day. And let''s not forget, the Griffins are second-inmand to the Shadow Syndicate. We''ll all be relying on you in the future. If anyone has to leave tonight, it certainly won''t be you.”


    Then, turning to Wade, Mrs. ck''s tone shifted from warm to icy. "Mr. Saunders, sure, your family''s name carries weight, but they have plenty of heirs. C. Corp''s future won''t involve you, and you''ve made quite a mess of things here in Crestwood these past few years. If you care about your future, I''d start making better choices."


    Mrs. ck seemed like apletely different person, her words sharp as knives.


    Wade stared at her, stunned, anger boiling up inside him.


    Never in all these years had someone humiliated him like this in public.


    She might as well have called him useless to his face.


    And yet, for once, he couldn''t think of a singleeback. He clenched his fists, jaw clenched, face flushed with fury.


    It stung even more knowing his sister had witnessed his humiliation. Wade pressed his lips together, ncing at Citrine, dreading the look of contempt he feared he''d see on her face.


    As soon as Mrs. ck finished, Bartley chimed in, nodding along "That''s right. Wade, you''re not-


    Maybe it''s time


    getting any younger worthwhile to


    you found something


    do with your life."


    Curry stared at his parents in disbelief. He''d seen firsthand how they''d spoiled Wade over the years always fawning over him Now, just because Jonah had shown up it was like they''d morphed intopletely different people cruel, almost grotesque.


    Curry''s voice shook with anger. "You can treat me however you want, but how could you talk to Wade like that?"


    Bartley cut him off coldly. "Enough. No one asked for your opinion."


    The tension in the room was suffocating. Then Jonah burst outughing, loud and mocking.


    He looked at Curry and Wade with a smirk. "See? No one cares what you two have to say."


    Jonah''s satisfaction seemed to


    please the cks even more. Their smiles grew, and they continued, Wade''s known all over Crestwood for doing nothing with his life. It''s hardly a secret. Why shouldn''t say it?"


    "You-" Wade was shaking with fury, but still had no words.


    Just then, Citrine stepped out from behind him.


    Her expression was cold and steady as she walked right up to the cks.


    "And who do you think you are, even saying my brother''s name?"


    She let out a contemptuousugh and moved to stand protectively in front of


    Wade, arms crossed, giving the cks a slow, icy once-over.


    "Dressed head to toe in designer brands—looks impressive, doesn''t it?"


    The cks had looked uneasy at first, but at Citrine''s words, their faces lit up with practiced smiles. “Thank you for thepliment, President Carmichael."