Chapter 824:
“It’s all but done,” Johnny replied, holding firm.
Brad’s eyes narrowed, his look sharp as a knife. “The ocean’s never predictable, and international deals are even trickier. What seems like a guarantee today can vanish overnight if you’re not careful.”
“You make it sound like you’re hoping for my downfall.” Johnny bristled at the warning, his jaw set. “That deal means everything to me. I won’t let anything ruin it.”
“It’s good for young men to have confidence.” Brad didn’t back down. His gaze was cool, unwavering, a look that sent a chill down Johnny’s spine. “Just don’t let your pride blind you, and never underestimate the people around you. If something or someone belongs to me, I don’t take kindly to interference — unless I decide to walk away first.”
His voice was calm, but every word rang with finality. “Rylie’s mine. She always has been. She always will be. And as for whether I can give her happiness…”
Brad leaned in, lowering his voice until only Johnny could hear. There was a darkness in his stare that made Johnny’s breath catch. “That’s not for you to worry about. Focus on yourself, and that deal.”
Without another glance, Brad walked past, leaving Johnny rooted to the spot. A second later, Brad’s key card clicked, the door swung open, and just like that, he was gone, separating himself from the world outside with a quiet finality.
Frustrated, Johnny slammed his fist against the wall beside the doorway. With anger still burning in his chest and nowhere to put it, he spun around and stalked off down the hall.
Inside, Brad heard the noise but paid it no mind. Stepping onto the balcony, he dialed a number as the ocean’s restless waves echoed below.
“Put a temporary freeze on all cargo shipments bound for Southeast Arindel.”
A voice replied on the line, concerned, “Is there a problem, sir?”
Brad’s answer was smooth and controlled. “No issue. I’ve realized the Reid family only handles the shipbuilding itself. Management is the missing piece. Let’s bring the Morgan Group in to handle oversight. Their stock has been taking a hit, so sending some management fees their way should give investors more confidence.”
“Should I set up a meeting with the Reids?”
“Yes, schedule it in the next few days,” Brad replied.
“Understood, sir.”
“I had no idea your brother was so talented at billiards,” Isabella said, trailing after Rylie, her voice practically overflowing with admiration. “Honestly, Miss Owen, he’s impressive — he’s strong, he’s calm, and he never lets anything get under his skin. You don’t find men like him at parties like this very often.”
Rylie didn’t break stride or glance back. “So is that why you’ve been shadowing me since we came aboard? Just to get close to my brother?”
Isabella hesitated, then hurried to keep up, letting out a nervous laugh. “No, I swear! I just… I’d really love to be friends with you, Miss Owen.” Catching herself, she added, “Or, well, I’d be honored just to tag along behind you.”
With her family’s name holding little sway at events like this, Isabella knew she had to play her cards carefully. Paola’s influence had faded, and without the security of an arranged marriage, Isabella was desperate to latch onto someone with true power — and Rylie, from the influential Owen family, was her best shot.
As the usher swung open the doors to the banquet hall, Isabella lingered at the threshold, letting the soft strains of piano music wash over her. Eager to steer the conversation away from its awkward turn, she brightened and remarked, “The pianist is playing beautifully tonight.”
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