hosted by the Collins Gr

llroom echoed with the laughter of po

e back, dressed in

isible-just the Collins fa

e gown. She held her chin high, but her eyes dar

k. Brandon moved through the crowd with a c

stepped onto the stage. "Tonight, the Collins Group ple

now introduce our new

ard, a faint tremor in her ha

Tonight, I am proud to announce that Colli

d for a second. Le

erling Ent

pled throu

ny Leon had destroy

to hear: "Of course, our useless brother-in-law had no part i

smile, though her eyes flickered to

Brandon's words, but because Emily herself had chosen

lence, jaw tigh

ulsed softly

red: Betrayal i

miliation acknowledge

ence tonight would not be we

dden Sha

gathered in Harold's priva

ize what you've done? Sterling is collapsing. Their

ed. "But-Father,

napped. "I told you Sterling

lie!" Emily

t spiraled,

the room, watching. Then,

aid softly. "The partnership

mes the prophet again. Why

dy. "Because I'm not

d laid it on the table. The screen displayed a stockh

s eru

"This... this

ifteen percent of Collins Group. More than

ll into stun

her eyes wide. "Leon..

isting his face. "You snake! You

e steel. "I bought what you

ystem

Progres

rd Pe

amily was no l

ilent

. Miranda screamed, Brandon curse

is pockets, however,

led me useless. Trash. A burden. But out of arro

n the table. "You think yo

low, dangerous. "I don't need to control

ched his eyes, but found no trace of the meek

ed. "You... you planne

nned it for me-with every insult, every h

. The older man's sharp eyes locked on Leon. For

imed softly in

ted: Betrayal i

pgrade – Negotia

ked: Blood Ties,

ened, turning

ing, trembling. "Leon-wait. Please

er in the doorway. The silver

u chose to betray." "And the g

ly fractured, Emily trembling, and the s