The dust had settled on the construction site for now, so I wasn''t needed there. My top priority was to stay by Clyde''s side at the hospital.


    But I never expected York to show up out of the blue.


    "What''s going on here? It was just a minor hup. How could Clyde even think of giving up on life?" he asked, bewildered.


    "How do you know he tried to give up and wasn''t, say, poisoned?" I squinted at him, sensing something off.


    York hade prepared, ready to pin me, a clear sign of trouble.


    Soon after, Laird and Lucia hurried in, both quick to point fingers at me.


    "Please leave. Clyde needs his rest. Do you not want him to wake up?" I stood, gesturing towards the door, knowing well that my slight frame wouldn''t stop them. But we were in a hospital; eyes were everywhere, and the staff moved in and out of the room, ensuring they couldn''t overstep.


    York looked at me, pain evident in his eyes. "Mnie, I know you''re hurting, but with the Patterson Group in chaos, we can''t be leaderless." "And what do you propose? You wanna be the leader?” I met his gaze, catching a sh of malice he couldn''t hide.


    Things had escted, and it seemed they were done pretending.


    Over the years, York had been expanding his influence, constantly vying for projects with Clyde. Despite his attempts to join the Patterson Group''s management, Merritt had always refused.


    Merritt believed in keeping the business out of purely family hands, especially since Clyde and I hadn''t had children yet. He felt uneasy, knowing well that money could turn brothers into enemies.This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    Merritt''s foresight was proving true; Clyde''s incident had barely urred before these vultures swooped in.


    Lucia stepped forward, ring. "If it wasn''t for marrying you, would the Patterson Group have faced such turmoil?"


    "With Clyde down, do you really think you can take over the Patterson Group? You''re not even a Patterson by blood!"


    Laird chimed in, equally furious, “Exactly, you''re an outsider."


    "But I''m hiswful wife, am I not?" I replied calmly. "Regardless of myst name, I''m his spouse, his legal guardian, and co-owner of our shared assets."


    "As long as Clyde is alive, even in aa, you have no right to step into the Patterson Group''s management, do you?"


    Once the fox''s tail is revealed, it''s not so easily hidden again.


    As Laird advanced, Merritt entered, leaning on his cane, silencing the room.


    “What''s all thismotion? The doctors said Clyde would wake soon. What are you doing here?"


    With Merritt''s word, the room fell silent, all heads bowed.


    He looked at me, "You''re aware of the site issue?"


    I nodded. If York knew, how could I not?


    "Uncle, we can''t let her, an outsider, control the Patterson Group. She''s up to no good."


    Laird rushed to Merritt, desperate.


    "Look at York; if not for him, would Mnie, alone, have stood a chance at the site? She''d have been terrified." "York is just looking out for his brother, not wanting the Patterson familypany to fall into outsider hands." "Nonsense!" Merritt struck Laird. "Clyde will be awake soon. He''s not gone!"


    "Besides, Mnie is his wife. Not only does she own half thepany, but she also has rights to shares. Do you?"


    Merritt''s early precautions against letting


    os en Catter Seize control were


    ear.


    No matter their entreaties, he kept at bay. Content belon


    to


    "Fine, even if Clyde doesn''t wake for a few days, Mnie can handle everything."


    "Any concerns,e to me. I''m not out of my mind yet!"


    With Merritt''s final word, the challengers scattered, leaving the room.


    Once alone, Merritt turned to me, "What happened?"


    I spared no detail, sharing the supply issues at Ka''s family factory and her sneaking around our home andpany.


    Merritt''s anger was palpable, but he calmed after a moment.


    "What''s your n?"


    "I''ll hand the evidence to the police, quiet the online rumors through our PR, and visit the victims'' families. We can''t let this drag on. I''ll be at thepany tomorrow."


    Merritt nodded, “Good, keep Gemma close. She''s capable. Anything arises, I''m here.”


    Acknowledging Gemma''s efficiency, despite her disdain for me, I finally breathed easier.


    Leaving Clyde still asleep, I ventured out for coffee, only to find the


    vending machine on the fourthed neo


    Sve


    empty. As I headed to the fifth floor, amotion caught my ear.


    Was that I''s voice? Racing towards the sound, coffee in hand, a scream pierced the air, followed by a thud.