Rhodes swung open the door to the penthouse suite and found his brother staring out the floor-to-ceiling windows, lost in thought as he watched the bustling traffic below.


    "Hey, big brother," Rhodes greeted with respect.


    Jules turned, letting out a heavy, wistful sigh. "Coming back after twenty years, only to find everything''s changed. The people I longed to see are gone. What was the point ofing back?"


    Trying tofort him, Rhodes asked, "Are you thinking about your old me?"


    Jules nodded. "Seeing her again would''ve been a dreame true. But I just heard the awful news-Kelly took her life not long after I left. If only I''d known, I never would''ve let her go."


    "I''m really sorry, brother," Rhodes said softly.


    Jules pulled himself together. "And what about the person I asked you to invite?"


    Rhodes''s face clouded with frustration. "That Mr. Rond-I dealt with him tonight. Sure, he''s got some smarts, but his character is seriouslycking. Greta, who saved our mom''s life, was humiliated by Mr. Rond and Miss Stewart in a disgraceful way. I couldn''t just stand by, so I gave him a piece of my mind. I doubt he''ll want to work for the Sharp family now."


    Jules frowned. "Is he from the Rond family down south?"


    "Greta says he''s from a big, notable family-the same Rond family you talk about."


    Jules''s expression turned pale. "So, he''s the son of an old friend?"


    Sensing an opportunity, Rhodes quickly added, "Even if he''s your old buddy''s son, you have no idea how awful he is. Plus, he''s got a criminal record. No matter how talented he is, the Sharp family should stay away."


    Jules nodded, "You''re right. The Sharp family has always valued integrity and virtue over everything We look for people who have both. Characteres first, talent


    second. Despite his brilliance, he''s not someone we can hire.


    Rhodes silently breathed a sigh of relief.


    "Get some rest, brother. I''m heading back to my room."


    Jules waved him off. "Alright, off you go."


    Stewart Estate


    Morrisy awake in bed, unsettled by his biological father''s unexpected return to


    the Capital. His mind raced, reying memories of Gavin over and over.


    "Your mom''s gone. I''m all you''ve got


    now. You need to listen to me, or


    there''ll be no one to guide you."


    ben


    When he first returned to the


    Rond family, the loving father he


    hoped for didn''t show up. Instead, it


    was relentless psychological control.


    Back then, Morris was scared of losing his dad, so he cautiously vowed, "Don''t worry, Dad. I''ll do what you say."


    Later, Benjamin took so many things from him, things Morris didn''t dare speak up about. Until Benjamin even snatched the sunflower plush Nathalie gave him, forcing Morris to finally push back, even if just a little.


    He reimed his sunflower. Benjamin, in tears, ran to Gavin, who, without understanding, scolded him harshly:


    "If your brother likes your toy, give it to him. Remember, everything you have is


    mine to take back. Not just a toy-even your life if I want it."


    For the first time, Morris stood his ground. "Dad, the sunflower was from Nathalie, not you..."