ng paths with Emilee's closest fr

ridge and the presumed affluence of Emilee's friend's fa

of..." Brennen began, but his word

e are of no concern to me. But heed my caution! Emilee happens to be my dearest friend. You're the one who left her expecting. If that

already terminated the pregnancy! What r

s collar. "Who fed you that lie about an abortion? She's holding o

umbfounded at t

n i

through with

sion, Clare ground her teet

de in her high heels

ftly sidestepped her advance, almost

uc

her foot missed its mark

rennen, she declared,

the allure of her well-defined waist and pert b

temper was a

ng concern was Emilee's decision n

nce to sit before a group of individuals arrogantly ente

lish assistant named B

toward the newcomers and

ead, remarking, "That's Jackson Patel, hailing from the wealthiest

tel fa

es gleamed w

th the fat heir from the Patel family,

d gleaned ample d

n the new district, aiming to collaborate with the L

t the collaboration between the Patels and the Lewises? Emilee might

ily once more, Emilee wouldn't be tet

toward Emilee had t

ought of a stunning woman tethering h

was what Bren

had drawn to a close, giving way to

roclaimed, "Ladies and gentlemen, the Patel family asserts its claim on the new district project. Any

kson cast a disdainful and me

nce, he sat back down and cross

t for a cool five hundred million!" he

l moment, a voice sh

ion," declared th

tantly honed

n? Challenging the Patel fami

esn't seem to be a

! Snatching the Patel fam

Patel family's plans, and the

the crowd reach

s feet and glaring furiously at Brennen.

n's ire. "Highest bidder w

s. "Didn't you hear me? The Patel

rugged. "I heard, but i

crowd, with murmurs questioning the

challenging th

rted. "We're upping the ant

mpassive. "Bidding happens once

a finger at Brennen's nose,

aw! Seven hundred million! This

, declaring, "Then I cou

ng, "Damn it! Trying to compete with the Patel

nen crossed his legs. "Is the Pa

asp swept thro

this ind

nge the influential Patel fam

it to nine hundred million! In Enceridge, the Patel family reigns supreme! Whatever

ashed a grin at Jac

d in the bid

sounding pat to his face. "Believe it or not, I'll toss you i

punch sent Jackson's head reeling, and he was sent airborne. Brennen seized a

ift and resolute, d

ennen nonchalantly cleaned his ear

dared to ut

ed it to Brenna, who promptly ha

led, the venue erupted in

, ground his teeth. "Launch an investigation! Uncover the identit

rolled toward the room

, he entruste

e, nursing both her physical discomfort

ut? Why does he warrant a personal meeting?" Clare

t reveal much for now, Clare. When he arrives, mind y

d an inherent pride. Now, she found herself having to suppress it before someone she had neve

announcing, "Sir, the

re to casually ask, "Did the

onse. "Someone else

s left s

just say?" Cla

cure the bid; someone else

ag, and now someone else swooped in and snatched it away! Who's foolish enough to

"Clare, this is the pers

oesn't clinch the bid, does that mean their collaboration with the Lewis family is on hol

'm dialing Emilee. If that big shot shows up, make sure

dded in a

who was rounding the corner, engrossed in a pho

d, and found himself lo

ire. "Are you blind? Can't you see wh

away, leaving Brennen wi

is call and en

rose to greet hi

inquired, "I just saw that girl wal

ed and spirited granddaughter. She holds you in high