“Joseph.” Theo’s voice was low and sharp, his expression dark as he stared him down. “You’re trying to push my buttons, aren’t you?”
“Or was that little speech supposed to give me a hint?” The silence in the hospital room dragged on, heavy and endless. Joseph could feel sweat pooling in the palm of his hand, the one wrapped in a
cast.
Theo’s face looked downright terrifying.
“We’ve been friends for years. You know the kind of person I am.”
“That’s not a given.” Theo’s eyes flicked to Nina, unreadable and cold.
That look said it all.
Joseph’s heart dropped.
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Did Theo know? Had he figured out he was being yed?
When Theo left, Joseph slumped against the headboard, cold sweat still breaking out on his <b>skin</b>.
Nina hadn’t managed to say a word the entire time.
She’d been so excited when Theo showed up, ready to run straight to him. But before she could even say hi, he was already gone.
“Mr. Newton, we found out who leaked it,” Aiden rushed in, tablet in hand. “It was Ms. Miller who tipped off the press.”
“How did she find out?” Theo’s voice was ice.
Aiden just shook his head, helpless.
The tangled mess of rich families–no one could ever keep track.
“Go ask her, straight up.” Theo didn’t waste words. Aiden nodded, hurried out, and took the elevator upstairs
Nina stammered that she’d heard it from a friend, said someone she knew had been on the same flight as Theo.
Theo must have decided it wasn’t worth his energy, because he didn’t press it.
He was just about to head to the office when his grandma called, insisting hee home.
Back at the Newton family estate, the whole ce felt tense.
As dusk settled, a single warmmp glowed in the living room.
Grandma was sitting on the sofa, focused on the chessboard in front of her. Howard sat across from her, quietly ying. The air between mother and son was calm–almost peaceful–but something was definitely brewing underneath.
“Dad, when did you get back?” Theo asked.
13:28 M
“Just two hours before you,” Howard replied, not even ncing up from the board. His voice was t, but the anger was obvious.
“So, you handled your precious sweetheart, calmed down your mistress, and finally managed toe home?” Howard added, voice dripping with sarcasm. <fn08fd> Original content can be found at fι?dnοvel</fn08fd>
Theo’s face tightened.
He didn’t answer, just straightened his pant leg and sat down next to his father.
“It’s not often you’re home, and now you’re going head–to–head with your own <b>son </b>over some outsider.” Kelly came in with a tray, setting out fruit near the two men.
Howard shot her a look. “Overly doting mothers spoil their sons. And you call yourself a teacher.”
“He’s my only son. If I spoil him, that’s my business. Easy for you to judge when you’re not the one raising him.”
Howard ignored her, dropped a ck chess piece, and finally spoke. “Thepany’s shares have dropped twenty percent. The shareholders are furious. They’ve called me nonstop, begging me toe back and take charge.”
“For now, you’re stepping down. Stay home. Let things cool off.”
“Dad,” Theo said, his voice suddenly urgent, “I can handle this. Let me fix it.”
“Oh, really?” Howard shot back. “Tell me, how exactly do you n to fix it?”
“Ever since the rumors about you and Nina started, every time you think you’ve dealt with the mess, something new blows up. Maybe you’re capable, but clearly, someone else is always one step ahead.”
Howard remembered the Martin family’s daughter–Patricia. Even as a kid, she’d had a kind of quiet authority. He remembered seeing her at events, calm and collected, every move graceful.
He’d always thought Patricia would be the strongest heir of her generation. Who would’ve guessed she’d wind up as his own daughter–inw?
“Tell me what’s really going on between you and Patricia. I’ll go talk to her myself and see if I can smooth things over.”