Chapter 874:
Yet he felt no trace of regret. Instead, a vivid, exhilarating sense of being fully alive surged within him. He took a long drink of water, steadied himself, and slipped back into the calm authority expected of the Owen Group’s CEO.
“Officer Harvey, I’ll leave the rest to you.”
Only the torn edges of his shirt and the faint streaks of powder across his shoulders betrayed the earlier scuffle, a sharp contrast to his usual polished image.
It was a sight bound to circulate at future gatherings, and Alcott would no doubt relish telling the story.
Later that evening, during the drive home, they finished the roasted nuts. The two elderly women chatted animatedly about the swindlers, and even though Lucilla didn’t understand every detail, she eagerly joined in. Felix sat beside them, catching the subtle curve of a smile on his sister’s lips, and felt a quiet warmth settle within him.
Rylie suddenly turned to him.
“Felix, I’m sorry you had to go through all that today.”
Felix handed her another roasted nut with a faint smile.
“I actually enjoyed it. For all the chaos and laughter, it made everything feel more alive, less ordinary.”
Feeling her brother’s gentle hand rest on her head, Rylie met the warmth in his gaze.
“Should we go out more often?” she asked softly.
Felix’s reply came with quiet affection.
“Of course.”
Tied down by work and family obligations, he rarely indulged in simple, unhurried moments like this. Rylie’s presence had brought a new kind of peace into his life.
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“Rylie, I’m truly glad you’re here with us,” Felix said sincerely.
Rylie’s heart stirred, and a tender smile curved her lips.
“Me too.”
Selah watched them quietly, recalling the hardships Rylie had endured. Seeing her now cherished and protected, she finally felt a deep sense of relief.
After settling the two elders, Rylie stopped Felix in the hallway before they went to their rooms.
“Felix, I’ve been thinking about Detour Inc.”
Felix turned to her.
“What about it?”
“While the simplest approach would be to acquire Detour Inc. and absorb their team, public opinion isn’t on our side right now,” Rylie explained. “Uncle Terrance’s situation could drive him to act rashly, and if everything collapses, he might drag Detour Inc. down with him.”
Felix’s brows drew together.
“I doubt he’d go that far.”
“For years, Laurel poured nearly all of the Garrett family’s wealth into Detour Inc. and her fashion brand. But because of the scandal, Elegance is facing a nationwide boycott. Sales have collapsed, and bankruptcy is on the horizon. Once that happens, they’ll have no choice but to rely entirely on Detour Inc.,” Rylie reasoned. “I can’t stand by and watch our parents’ legacy be destroyed. It’s the only thing I have left of them.”
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.
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