Chapter 437:
A light laugh slipped from Rylie. “Deandre, I performed surgery for Felix, didn’t I? You really still doubt my skill? Brad needed medical help, and I gave it—there was nothing inappropriate about it. All the dating talk was just to help us get to the bottom of the medical equipment issues on the battleship. Visiting the ship together was just strategy, a way to keep the authorities out of our business. Every bit of it was planned.”
Her tone was gentle, almost teasing, as she added, “From the very beginning, there was never any love between us—only partnership and teamwork. I can promise you that.”
Relief washed over them the moment they realized Rylie’s sincerity was unshakable.
An idea popped into Felix’s mind. “If that’s true, why not ask the media to help clear things up?”
A hint of a smile played at Rylie’s lips. “Let’s not forget—we still haven’t had my official welcome party. Most people still have no clue I’m an Owen. I’ll make arrangements for the clarification myself. You two don’t need to get involved.”
A polite knock interrupted their conversation. At the doorway, a servant stood with a large designer shopping bag in hand. “Mr. Brad Morgan asked me to deliver this apology gift to Miss Owen before he left.”
One look at the servant’s awkward stance, and Rylie easily guessed that Brad must have overheard every word.
In her mind, this was just as well; she preferred he find out this way. Discussing it directly with him would have been far more awkward.
Peering into the bag, Rylie found a limited edition couture dress and a thick bundle of paperwork.
She flipped through the documents without haste, skimming the contents until a few highlighted lines caught her attention.
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The transfer contract spelled out terms for Brad’s personal assets and stock holdings—together, it amounted to sixty percent of the entire Morgan family fortune.
He intended to sign over all of it to her.
A puzzled voice came from Felix. “What’s that you’re reading?”
Before he could get a better look, Rylie calmly closed the folder and handed everything back to the waiting servant. “Would you please send someone to the Morgan villa? Tell Mr. Morgan the dress is stunning, and I’ll accept it with thanks. But please return the documents to him.”
A respectful nod was the servant’s only reply as he carefully gathered the items and left the room.
Composure never leaving her face, Rylie turned back to her brothers. “Nothing important. I’m heading upstairs—my tutoring student gets her results today, and I want to buy her a present to celebrate.”
“Go on, then—but be sure to join us for dinner tonight,” Felix called after her.
A quick “Sure.” was all Rylie offered in reply.
No sooner had she closed her bedroom door than her brothers—two lounging on the couch and one joining by tablet—shifted gears into a family conference. Recent events in the gang took center stage as Deandre recounted every detail, hoping the others could help make sense of the strange twists he’d encountered.
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