Herman had an inkling that there was more to this Joseph than just a business rival. "He''se prepared," Herman said. "There''s a possibility that the data was leaked from our dad."


    Flynn chuckled. "Herman, that''s impossible. Dad might be a bit of a loose cannon, but there''s no way he''d let such crucial data slip. Why would he help thatpany? Elysian Technologies is his son''s. The boss of thatpany isn''t his son. Who would harm their own child?"


    Flynn''s words were casual, but they gave Herman food for thought. He stared at Joseph''s profile on hisputer screen. A Yale graduate, born in Riverdale, was 29 years old this year. Just one year younger than Herman.


    From Joseph''s features, Herman noticed a few clues, and a hypothesis sprouted in his mind.


    Internally taken aback, he calmly changed the subject. "What have you been doing at thepany these days? Howe you know nothing about the bidding?"


    "Herman, there''s just so much happening at thepany. I can''t keep up." Flynn scratched his head. "I''m not as capable as you. One task alone overwhelms me. There''re so many things to do every day. This document needs signing. That one needs reading. Then there are the social obligations. My schedule is packed. By the time I get home, my brain is in a mess."


    A cold flicker passed through Herman''s eyes. "Your workload is only a third of what I used to handle. You can''t even handle that much?"


    "Herman," Flynn whined. "I''m just not born for this line of work. Now I know how hard you used to work. Now your wife is discharged from the hospital. Why don''t you take over again?"


    Herman waved his hand dismissively in frustration. "Get out." He wanted Flynn to share his burden. It seemed impossible.


    Flynn, relieved, made a hasty exit, looking forward to a night of rxation after days of hard work.


    Once Flynn was gone, Herman stared at Joseph''s profile on theputer, lost in thought. He hoped he was wrong.


    ...


    Word of Joseph''s hijacking of the Elysian Technologies project reached Feiman.


    Feiman was slow to react, only now realizing why Joseph had asked about the project days ago. He had casually mentioned the bidding, never thinking that Joseph wouldpete with Elysian Technologies for the project.


    Feiman immediately called Joseph, demanding, "What''s the meaning of this bidding? Joseph, what are you trying to do?"


    Joseph sneered from the other end of the line, "Dad, I''m just following your advice, doing good business and making money."


    "You ungrateful punk, I gave you money to start apany, not to go against your brother. Joseph, I''m warning you. If you mess around again, I''ll send you back to France."


    Feiman was panicking. He was afraid Herman would notice something amiss. His eldest son was too clever.


    Joseph chuckled coldly. "Dad, whatever you say. To you, I''m just a stain on your life, an illegitimate son you''re too ashamed to acknowledge. How could I everpare to your two sons?" After saying that, Joseph hung up. "Joseph..." Feiman was both angry and worried.


    Indeed, Joseph was a stain on Feiman''s life. When his wife, Katelyn, gave birth to Herman, the conflict between Katelyn and his mother, Anita, intensified. Caught in the middle, Feiman had a one-night stand with his secretary in a drunken stupor, resulting in Joseph. Feiman regretted it deeply. For the sake of his family, he had to hide Joseph''s existence. But Joseph was still his son. Feiman couldn''t simply abandon him. He sent Joseph abroad to study.


    Joseph only returned two years ago. Feiman gave Joseph money to start apany, thinking that he did good thing for his son, but Joseph was bing harder and harder to control. Feiman feared that it was only a matter of time before the Salstrom family found out about Joseph''s existence."


    Just as he was thinking this, his phone rang. It was Herman calling. Feiman was too guilt-ridden to answer...