Chapter 1000:
Frank answered, “My strengths lie in corporate operations and long-term strategy. But ever since I returned to the Morgan family, you have kept your distance. You never let me assist with your responsibilities, and you hardly talk to me at home. Recently, you even left the house entirely. And even on a holiday as important as Christmas, you refused to spend time with me and our parents. I honestly do not understand. What about me is so intolerable?”
A quiet ache colored Frank’s voice. “You already have everything. I won’t stand in your way. So why is there no room for me?”
Nearby, Rylie wrinkled her nose in open displeasure. Brad’s palm shifted to her waist, his fingers applying a soft, grounding pressure meant to steady her.
He finally broke his silence with clear, unfiltered truth, speaking plainly despite the watching crowd. “You are right. I dislike you.”
𝗗𝘰ո’𝘵 𝗆і𝘴s ne𝗐 𝘳ele𝗮𝘀e𝘀 𝘰𝗻 𝘨𝗮𝗹𝗇𝘰𝘃𝖾𝘭𝘀.с𝗼𝗆
“I spent my entire life believing I had no parents, only Grandpa. Then at thirty, the people who abandoned me suddenly reappeared with a younger son trailing just behind my age. You always had a mother and father to lean on. I relied on Grandpa when I was small, and after that, I had no one except myself. Every dream I chased, you possessed from the start. So why insist that I embrace you?”
Frank’s face turned ashen on the spot, blindsided by how direct Brad had chosen to be. “Brad, that was never something I caused!”
“Was it something I caused, then?” Brad cut in, his features steady and unwavering. “You returned to the family, and I offered no resistance. Grandpa acknowledges you, and I honor his decision. But that does not obligate me to weave you into my personal world or involve you in my duties. Do you understand?”
A young woman nearby murmured with open scorn, “Probably failed while living abroad, so they came back to fight for Mr. Morgan’s inheritance. If those parents truly cared about him, why vanish for decades?”
Her remark found instant agreement, as most of the camp had long questioned how conveniently Frank’s family had resurfaced.
“Exactly. Complaining about Christmas of all things. Where were those parents during the countless holidays before that? While they were enjoying life overseas, did they ever remember the eldest son they left behind?”
“It is unbelievable they have the nerve at all.”
Everyone stationed at the base held deep admiration and respect for Brad. A handful of emotional accusations from Frank had no chance of changing their loyalties.
Rylie then asked, her tone reflecting a curiosity she had harbored for some time, “I have always wondered why Mr. and Mrs. Morgan left Brad and Eshea in the first place. And now they want to mend everything? At this point, is it not far too late?”
Frank understood every detail of what had happened, yet it remained a private stain on their household. With Rylie voicing the question so bluntly, what could he possibly offer in response?
He could only give a vague reply. “I do not know the details either. Brad, I believe our parents must have had their own reasons. They never intended to forsake you.”
Rylie let out a thin, humorless smile. “Never intended? You want us to accept that a wealthy family lacked the means to care for a single child?”
Frank defended his parents. “Perhaps they only wanted Brad to remain with my grandfather.”
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