He had no intention of ending up like Sebastian, whopletely lost his mind


    over a woman.


    "Mr. Joseph''s results are certainly impressive, but he''s just a side branch," one of the older board members argued. "For chairman, the direct bloodline is what matters most. That''s what keeps the foundation of thepany stable."


    Clearly, Joseph wasn''t nearly as easy to control as Matthew.


    "This is a business, not some ancient family n," one of the younger directors shot back, clearly supporting Joseph. "We need someone who can actually lead us to profit, not just someone with the rightst name."


    The room quickly split into two camps. One side argued for bloodline, the other for ability, and the whole discussion turned into a shouting match. No one was backing down.


    Matthew stayed out of it. He didn''t try to defend himself or argue his case. He just watched them, calm and distant, as if none of this had anything to do with him.


    The meeting dragged on untilte at night. In the end, nothing got decided. The board dumped the decision back on Matthew and Joseph. They each got a task. Whoever finished first would be chairman.


    As everyone was filing out, Joseph stepped in front of Matthew, blocking his way.


    "Don''t get cocky just because those old guys are on your side," Joseph said, his voice dripping with disdain. "The Ratcliff family business isn''t something an illegitimate nobody like you can touch."


    Matthew stopped and turned, raising an eyebrow at him. "Joseph, this is business. What matters is what you can do, not where youe from." His voice was even, but there was a quiet force behind it. "Whoever manages to keep Ratcliff Global steady through this mess deserves to stay. That''s the only thing that counts."


    Joseph let out a low, mockingugh.


    "Your ''strength'' is just whatever scraps Mr. Ratcliff left behind for you. He leaned in lowering his Voice Give me five days and make sure everyone on the board sees how useless you are Then you''ll understand what it means to be the real heir."


    Matthew didn''t even blink. "I''ll be waiting," he said, cool as ever.


    He honestly didn''t care about being chairman of Ratcliff Global. He''d onlye back to Bridger Lake to get justice for his mother. Now that he knew she was alive, he was going to find out exactly where Jane had sent


    her. His eyes narrowed at the thought. And he still wanted to help Reese break free from the Ratcliff family for good.


    ***


    Meanwhile, Roman''s office was glowing with harsh white light. A few officers huddled around aputer, eyes locked on the security footage ying on the


    screen.


    "Mr. Sanchez, we''ve got something!" one officer suddenly called out, excitement in his voice. “Alex used a bank card this morning to take out five hundred at an ATM on the outskirts of the city."


    Roman moved in fast, focusing on the screen. "Are you sure it''s him?"


    "Absolutely," the officer replied, pointing at the grainy image. "He changed clothes, wearing something old and beat up, but it''s definitely Alex. He looks jumpy, like he''s running from someone."


    "Get the location of that ATM and start tracking him right now," Roman ordered, hope flickering in his eyes.


    "We already did," another officer added. "The ATM is in a little town outside the city. We checked more surveince and saw him heading toward an abandoned brickyard." He nced at his phone. "I called the local precinct. Two officers are already on their way. Just got word, they''ve found Alex."


    Roman finally felt some relief. "Tell Ms. Meyer. We''re heading out."