Chapter 839:
Brad turned his gaze toward her, his expression calm and devoid of feeling. “Or else?”
The simple question struck harder than a shout. Candice’s chest ached, the cold indifference in his eyes cutting deeper than any insult. He had left her behind without a trace of care, even after knowing she’d been with another man.
Her eyes burned red as she bit out, “Brad! You’re heartless!”
A faint smile touched his lips, his tone as steady as ever. “Heartless? Perhaps. My heart only softens for the woman I truly love.”
Candice felt the air leave her lungs. When had he started speaking like this? Every trace of warmth, every piece of the man she once knew, seemed to have vanished, and it was all because of Rylie.
In a low voice, Frank said, “Brad, Miss Nixon is already distraught after what happened. Even if you feel nothing for her, you could at least offer some comfort, even if just for appearance’s sake.”
Brad cast him a cold glance. “I was drugged too, and I’m not exactly enjoying myself either. Should I expect you to comfort me instead? Or have you grown accustomed to siding with outsiders?”
Frank was left speechless.
Candice steadied her breathing, lifting her chin with forced composure. “If you hadn’t rejected me and left me to face this humiliation alone, I might have asked my father to help you regain your admiral’s position. But now, you’ll find no one willing to stand by you. The Morgan family’s ruin will be your own doing.”
With that, Candice motioned for everyone to leave the room, her message unmistakable — the Nixon family would no longer support the Morgans in the military.
The door slammed shut, the sound echoing through the hall.
Unmoved by her words, Brad turned to Rylie, taking her hand gently. “Marcus is holding a piano concert tonight,” he said evenly. “Shall we have dinner and enjoy the performance together?”
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Rylie agreed softly. “Alright, I’ll check on him. He’s likely been anxious.”
Brad’s lips curved, and he playfully tapped her nose. “He won’t be. He saw you with me, remember?”
Realization flickered in Rylie’s eyes. Marcus had chosen silence, granting her the freedom to decide for herself.
Johnny stood by, his irritation mounting as he watched the two of them, his presence completely dismissed.
Never before had anyone made him feel so unimportant or so thoroughly ignored.
“Brad, even now, do you still see yourself as the dominant force in Crolens?” Johnny muttered bitterly, his voice barely above a whisper as Brad walked away.
Frank, still lingering nearby, caught Johnny’s low complaint. “That’s just how my brother is,” he remarked evenly. “He’s spent years commanding soldiers, and habits like that don’t change overnight. Johnny, try to be more patient. After all, your position now likely outranks his.”
Johnny froze for a moment, his gaze shifting toward Frank. His position outranking Brad’s?
Frank continued, his tone mild yet deliberate. “Isn’t it true? Everyone’s talking about it. You closed the ten-billion-dollar deal with Havenridge Group and boosted Crolens’ economy, while Brad, stripped of his military command, is nothing more than a fading businessman.”
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