?Chapter 1626:


    Shepard understood where Dalton wasing from. Climbing to the top as an actor was no cakewalk; Dalton had to guard his reputation.


    While Shepard and Ernst didn’t have Dalton’s star power, Shepard still carried weight in Shirie. “Sandra, I’ll show up with Ernst to back you,” Shepard suggested.


    Sandra looked at him, gratitude shining through her tears. “Thanks, Dad.”


    Her gaze darted back to Dalton, still holding out hope he’d change his mind.


    Dalton wasn’t a regr at family dinners. On set, he always stuck to lean meals—veggies, fruit, nothing heavy.


    So at home, his appetite roared, but he kept it in check to stay camera-ready.


    After eating just enough, he pushed his te away. “I’m full.”


    He then nced at Brenna and headed upstairs. Once he was out of earshot, Shepard said to Sandra, “It’s not that Dalton’s being cold to you. His influence is massive—tens of millions of fans. Even in Shirie, he’s got over a million followers. That kind of spotlight could swamp your stores. If he goes there and you’re not ready for the flood, it’s trouble for you and a bigger mess for him. Try to understand him; don’t take it personally.”


    Sandra nodded, still feeling a little aggrieved. “Okay, Dad, I get it. But if Dalton can’t make it to my store in person, could he at least give it a shout-out online? His circle is full of celebrities, their managers—people who live and breathe designer fashion. They could easily be my clients. Would that be okay?”


    Shepard smiled reassuringly. “Of course. We’ll all hype you up on social media. You’ve got our support.”


    Sandra exhaled quietly, her chest tightening. Family loyalty ran deep, but only when the bloodline matched.


    Her gaze drifted toward Brenna, who was quietly eating, not offering a word of help. The thought pricked at her. Maybe siblings without shared blood were just bound to stay on opposite sides.


    It was even worse with half-siblings—same father, different mothers. All rivalry, no real bond. As for mutual support, that was just a fairy tale.


    Brenna felt Sandra’s eyes on her and finally spoke up. “I’ll be there for your grand opening, and I’ll post about it, too.”


    “Thanks,” Sandra said with a polite smile. “You were abroad for quite a while. Was it a business trip?”


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    “Yeah,” Brenna lied lightly, her tone easy. “Had to take care of some things at the subsidiary. It dragged on longer than I thought. Oh, and I brought back gifts for everyone.”


    Of course, she wasn’t about to mention her jungle expedition. Thest thing she wanted was the family worrying about her.


    She’d also told Gary and Felix to keep quiet about the matter.


    They had been through enough on that trip, and she had made sure their bonuses showed her appreciation.


    After dinner, Brenna went upstairs. Dalton was lounging in the third-floor sitting room, grinning from ear to ear as he waved her over.


    “Dalton, I saw your new movie while I was abroad—it was fantastic!” Brenna said, plopping down beside him, sensing he had something to say to her.


    “Thanks for the support—you’re boosting my box office,” Dalton joked with a grin. He picked up a box beside him and handed it over to Brenna. “Remember that unmannedbat drone you designed for the military? You said it looked like the prop in my movie Space Lodge.


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