Chapter 326:
“Perfect.”
After hanging up, Austin lingered for a moment, lost in thought.
He could certainly strike a heavy blow to Leonel, but his grandmother’s face flashed in his mind. She had already buried one son. Losing another would break her.
So, Austin paused, considering the best approach.
The most effective strategy, he concluded, was to humble Leonel, to remind him that some things were beyond his reach—things that were never meant for him. Austin knew Leonel had been restless for years, plotting to replace him.
And now that Reuben was grown and returning, Leonel was surely making his move to clear the way for his boy. Austin was curious to see what schemes Leonel would attempt.
Meanwhile, Leonel sat behind the desk in the CEO office of Barton Group, radiating confidence and authority. He was settling into the environment, knowing it wouldn’t be long before the role was officially his. The grandeur of the space, the commanding view—it was everything he had dreamed of.
Soon, it would all be his.
His next task was to begin filling the company with people loyal to him.
Ambition sparkled in Leonel’s eyes.
Just then, a soft knock at the door broke his thoughts, and Aanya entered with her usual grace.
“How’s it going, darling? Getting used to it all?” she asked, her smile warm.
“Of course. This chair should’ve been mine ages ago. It’s about time I took my rightful place,” Leonel grumbled.
𝙍𝖊𝗅𝗂𝖆𝖇𝖑𝖊 𝗌𝗈𝗎𝗋𝖼𝖾: g𝓪𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀․ⅽ𝘰𝘮
“It’s not too late. Austin’s done all the hard work; now you just get to enjoy the rewards,” Aanya said, settling onto Leonel’s lap with a playful smile.
If Leonel became CEO of Barton Group, she would be the CEO’s wife.
She had been waiting for this moment for what felt like forever.
Soon, the high-society ladies would be flocking to flatter her. The thought filled her with delight.
“Yes, that’s the right mindset,” Leonel said, unable to suppress a chuckle.
“Of course, darling, just make sure you’re keeping an eye on the hospital. We can’t afford any slip-ups. Austin won’t be easy to handle,” Aanya reminded him, her tone serious. They had encountered setbacks before, and they couldn’t afford another mistake.
“Don’t worry. I have everything under control. I even had someone double-check everything earlier,” Leonel replied, his voice filled with confidence.
With that, the couple began to lose themselves in dreams of a future filled with power and luxury, their ambitions soaring ever higher.
Katelyn was genuinely terrified of death, and Yelena’s words had etched themselves deep into her mind. When the chance arose, unnoticed by prying eyes, she slipped away to the hospital for a check-up.
“It’s just a routine exam,” she reassured herself, clinging to the thought like a life raft.
Surely, Yelena was just spinning tales—it couldn’t be true, could it?
Yet, a small, persistent voice whispered, “What if it is?”
The thought gnawed at her, leaving Katelyn riddled with anxiety.
With hands trembling like leaves in the wind, she booked an appointment with a breast surgery specialist and braced herself for the examination.
She whispered silent prayers throughout, hoping—begging—that the results would prove her fears unfounded.
But fate had other plans. The result hit her like a thunderclap.
Upon receiving the test report, Katelyn’s hands shook so violently she could barely keep hold of the paper. She was in utter disbelief—Yelena’s ominous words had come true. Katelyn indeed had breast cancer!
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