For the next few years, Emerald would likely be too consumed with internal


    struggles to trouble Damon and N.


    N lowered her gaze. "Either way, what happens in Meristate no longer concerns us. I just want our family to stay together."


    "Mm," Damon murmured in agreement.


    Over the next few days, Brandon focused solely on suppressing the online usations of ingratitude. He workedte into the night, desperately trying to contain the fallout.


    Jayden stormed into Brandon''s office, noticing that Brandon seemed more concerned with thepany''s reputation than visiting Michelle.


    "Brandon, have you lost your mind over Vrie? You need to see Michelle today, no matter what!" Jayden demanded.


    Brandon''s expression remained cold. "I already told you, I''m not going. I''m busy. Please leave."


    Jayden''s face darkened as he grabbed the file from Brandon''s hands. "Are you really willing to throw away our friendship over a woman?"


    "She''s not just any woman-she''s my girlfriend. The woman I love," Brandon replied.


    Jayden pressed, "And what about our years of friendship? What does that mean to you?"


    Brandon met his gaze steadily. "I value our friendship, but if you''re forcing me to choose, you won''t like my answer."


    Jayden let out a sharpugh. "No one forced you! You chose Vrie!"


    "Yes, I did. Just like you chose Michelle over me," Brandon shot back.


    The office fell silent. Neither of them spoke.


    After a long pause, Jayden finally said, "Fine. You don''t have to like Michelle. No one expects you to return her feelings. But she saved you. Visiting her in the hospital is the least you can do."


    "I promised Vrie I wouldn''t see Michelle for a month," Brandon exined.


    Jayden''s anger red. "That''s it? That''s your reason?"


    "Yes," Brandon answered firmly.


    "You''re hopeless, Brandon!" Jayden spat.


    He turned sharply and stormed out, mming the office door behind him.


    Half an hourter, Jayden arrived at Michelle''s hospital room, still seething. Seeing his expression, Michelle immediately asked, "Jayden, what''s wrong?" He sat down beside her bed, his face tense. "Michelle, stop waiting. Brandon isn''ting."


    Her smile faltered. After a long pause, she forced herself to ask, "What happened?"


    "I confronted him. He said he promised Vrie he wouldn''t see you for a month," Jayden said.


    Michelle pressed her lips together and let out a bitterugh. "I see... I never really expected him toe anyway."


    be


    Seeing her on the verge of tears, Jayden softened his tone.'' too upset. Even if he''s not here, you still have me and yate, and Nn.


    She nodded, but deep down, none of them were Brandon.


    It wasn''t long before several shareholders arrived at Brandon''s office.


    "Mr. Sumner, the negative press from the Gilmour Group''s online campaign is seriously damaging thepany''s image. It''s been days. What''s your n?"  fo


    "Yeah, if you can''t suppress it, at least issue a public apology. Or better yet, resign as CEO!"


    "Several business partners have


    already reached out, asking about the situation. If this continues, we might start losing contracts."