“Bang!”
The door flew open with a force that made the room tremble.
The brothers looked up to find Sylvia standing there, her face as stormy as a winter night.
She spoke with a chill in her voice, “Half-baked leader, huh?”
Her glare shifted to Francis. “What kind of nonsense is this! Since when does a stranger get to call the shots in the Johnson family?”
“Grandma!”
Francis broke out in a cold sweat, shocked by the matriarch’s unexpected visit.
“How did you get here?”
Sylvia had been out for a stroll and decided to drop by the Johnson Group headquarters on her way back. She hadn’t anticipated stumbling upon this scene. “Hmph.”
The grandmother scoffed, eyeing Gilbert with disdain.
“Good thing I came. Otherwise, how would I know that your so-called departure from the Johnson family was nothing but empty talk?”
“Grandma!”
Gilbert’s breath caught, his face paling as he tried to explain, “Grandma, I didn’t… I was just asking my brother for a favor…”
“Excuses, excuses,” Sylvia cut him off. “I heard everything! Allen Abel is a member of the Johnson family; what right do you have to command them?” “Grandma!”
Francis was frantic. “Gilbert was just asking for help!”
“Help?”
Sylvia’s headache intensified. “Francis, my dear! If that were true, why would you say he’s still acting like he’s in charge?”
“Grandma…”
“Francis! He’s playing a strategic retreat, but in reality, he’s still eyeing the Johnson Group!”
“Grandma, stop!”
Francis could bear it no longer.
“Big brother.”
Gilbert managed a strained smile, “Don’t raise your voice at Grandma.”
His eyes dropped, lashes trembling slightly.
With a bright yet forced smile, he said, “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have come. I’ll leave now. Don’t worry, the Johnson Group belongs to my brother, and no one can take that away. I grew up on the Johnson family’s bread; I wouldn’t betray them!” He turned sharply and left the CEO’s office without looking back.
“Gilbert!”
“Francis!”
Francis tried to follow but Sylvia held him back.
“Grandma!”
Francis rubbed his forehead in distress. “After all this time, how can you still not understand?”
“It’s you who doesn’t understand!”
“No!”
Francis shook his head slowly.
is a
But
you always think Gilbert
the Johnson family’s fortune. s he really?”
“Isn’t he?” Sylvia persisted. “Who wouldn’t be tempted by such wealth?”
“A gentleman seeks wealth in a proper way!”
Francis took a deep breath. “Gilbert isn’t blinded by greed! He is Naylor Harrison’s son! If he wanted, the entire Harrison family fortune could be his if he’s willing to give up the Harrisons, why would he fight with me over anything?”
Sylvia was taken aback. Gilbert… was Naylor’s son?
…
Gilbert drove back to Sunset Ridge Community.
Failing to secure help, he decided to stand guard himself.
Sherilyn didn’t want to see him, but he couldn’t help wanting to do something for her.
Sitting in his car, he silently watched the lights in her apartment.
Recalling Sherilyn’s words:
“Gilbert, I hate you! I so hate you!”
Gilbert abruptly closed his eyes, leaning back.
He could feel the depth of Sherilyn’s hatred when she spoke those words. It was a familiar feeling of
deep-seated animosity, similar to
what he felt towards Naylor.
Did Sherilyn truly hate him that much?
“Ugh!”
Gilbert suddenly clutched his temple as a sharp pain shot through his head.
He reached into the glove compartment, pulled out a cigarette, and lit it, taking a deep drag. The burning taste of nicotine slowly eased the pain.