?Chapter 1665:


    Conor red at him, his voice sharp. “You throw around your official title as if it mattered. You don’t have a high status; what reputation is there for you to uphold? You want me to consider your situation? But have you ever thought about mine?”


    As they stepped out of the elevator, Conor’s frustration boiled over. “I’m always the one borrowing money for our family—from rtives, friends, colleagues. Now, people dodge me. They’re scared I’ll ask for more. When they meet me, it’s always about asking me when I will pay them back. You’ve yed it smart, Jalen, sending me to do the dirty work while you stay clean. Dad was the same, hiding behind his status, making me borrow money for him. I had to obey him before, but now that he’s locked up, you think I’ll just follow your orders?”


    Walking through the neighborhood, Jalen regained hisposure, offering a faint smile. “Conor, don’t be mad. I’m looking out for you. I promise, I won’t let you carry the debt alone. Once I have money, I’ll help pay it off. But my sry’s only eight grand a month—barely enough for my kids. I can’t spare anything now. It’s not that I’m unwilling to help you, it’s that I can’t do it.”


    Conor felt like a fool. Time and again, for their family, he had caved to Jalen and their father, only to realize how naive he had been.


    He said, “Save your sweet talk. Who do you think you’re fooling? You say this every time, but I’ve never seen a cent from you. Get to the point—I still need to care for Mom and deal with a mountain of work at the firm. I don’t have time for your nonsense.”


    Jalen sensed Conor’s growing resistance; convincing him would take more effort this time.


    “Just hear me out. I’m serious about helping you find a way to make money,” Jalen said.


    Conorughed bitterly, pointing at himself. “She’s your mother, too, isn’t she? Paying for her care and looking after her is also your job. What is this talk about helping me? I’m done. You should cover the medical bills from now on.”


    Jalen’s face tightened, worried Conor might actually hand over the responsibility to him. “Don’t say that. Hear me out first. I’ve got a n to get enough money to clear the old debts without borrowing more.”


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    Conor shook his head, incredulous, and turned to leave.


    Jalen grabbed his arm to stop him. “I’m serious. If you won’t get more money or care for Mom, I won’t, either. Don’t expect me to borrow money. If you don’t handle it, you might as well watch Mom die because of her illness.”


    Conor seethed with rage. With their father taken away, Jalen’s shamelessness had grown unchecked. As a seasonedwyer, Conor had encountered all manner of clients, some honorable, others deplorable, but Jalen’s shamelessness surpassed even the worst.


    “Jalen, don’t push it too far!” he eximed.


    Jalen, unfazed, shot back, “Mom’s cancer is unbearable for her. She’s in constant agony, unable to sleep, relying on heavy doses of painkillers, and suffering terribly. I know it’s tearing you apart, too. I’ve got a n. Approach the Harper family and ask them for money.”


    Conor’s anger red. He scoffed, “I thought you had devised something clever. It’s just another plea to the Harpers for cash. You and Dad already tried that, didn’t you? They refused. It would be pointless for me to go.”


    Jalen, undeterred, said, “We approached Uncle and our cousin at the Harper Group, and they turned us down. But I’ve uncovered new information. Brenna runs her own lucrative business, separate from the Harper Group. Herpany is in her boyfriend’spany’s building.” This discovery fueled his confidence.


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