Chapter 841:
Rylie smiled faintly. “Most likely.”
“Is Evan a friend of yours?” Marcus asked, his voice low. “He’s been sneaking glances at you since you walked in.”
She didn’t deny it. “Maybe I’m just playing a little game.”
Marcus laughed softly, his eyes warm with amusement. “You always are.”
After their brief exchange, his attention turned to Brad. The warmth in his tone faded. “I just came from my grandfather’s lounge. Word is, Johnny’s been telling your business allies to cut ties. Are things really that bad between you two?”
Brad looked unbothered. “Acting spoiled only ends one way — tears.”
Marcus studied him for a moment, then smiled. “That’s exactly what my grandfather said. I’ll admit, I’m curious to see how this plays out.”
“Why not lighten the mood?” Brad said. “Play something for us. Rylie’s been dying to hear you perform.”
Marcus grinned. “I’ve just finished composing a new piece. Tell me what you think, Rylie.”
He asked humbly, but she knew it wasn’t false modesty. Rylie was gifted herself, yet her brother’s music carried a brilliance that far surpassed her own.
As his fingers moved across the piano keys, the room grew still. The melody flowed through the hall like silk, soft yet commanding, drawing everyone into its rhythm.
When the last note lingered and faded, applause broke out, filling the space with admiration.
Marcus rose with a small smile. “Just one song tonight,” he said, half teasing. “I charge a fortune for encores.”
Seeing that every guest wanted to hear more, Johnny went to express this wish in person. However, Marcus still declined. “We agreed on just one song; asking for more would be greedy.”
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Johnny chuckled, deciding not to press further. “Fair enough. Then let’s talk business.”
Marcus’s smile softened. “My grandfather intends to continue working with the Morgans. I trust that’s acceptable?”
Johnny’s smile stiffened, bitterness creeping into his voice. “But shouldn’t your grandfather care more about Rylie’s future? After all, if she stays with Brad, she’ll be doomed to a life of hardship.”
Marcus’s smile stayed calm. “That matters little when it comes to business. He simply believes you aren’t the right man to discuss business with him.”
The implication landed hard, making Johnny both angry and embarrassed. Wasn’t Marcus suggesting that he still stood below Brad?
Johnny clenched his jaw. “And you? Don’t you care whether your sister finds happiness?”
“She’ll be happy no matter who she’s with,” Marcus replied easily. “And if she ever faces a problem too big to fix on her own, we’ll handle it. Poverty isn’t an issue. We could buy her a home anywhere in the world.”
Brad happened to pass by and caught Marcus’s last remark, a smile touching his lips. “Especially since my sister could easily support a man herself.”
A low laugh slipped from him. They really were alike — siblings with the same sharp tongue.
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