This time, Liam finally understood. He hadn't wanted to admit it before. Because he never imagined such a scenario.
"Yes. Even though I've always been beneath you in everything since childhood, that doesn't mean I lack ability. I'm going to build Las Vegas Entertainment City into the size of Pinnacle Corporation. Watch me, brother. I'll prove with time that I'm not inferior to you."
As he spoke, a hint of excitement crept into his voice. But Liam stared at his younger brother with icy eyes. Benjamin seemed to have changed over the past few months.
He had let Benjamin run Las Vegas Entertainment City to let him gain experience, planning to eventually entrust Pinnacle Corporation to him with confidence. But now Benjamin had turned against him, making it clear he wanted to expand Las Vegas Entertainment City into another Pinnacle. For a moment, Liam felt nothing but deep disappointment and speechlessness.
Just then, the door to the room suddenly swung open. They both looked toward the doorway, their expressions shifting instantly.
An enraged Henry Williams, a shocked Amelia White, and Emma Johnson, who was watching Liam with worried eyes.
"You ungrateful boy! Who taught you to oppose your elder brother? How dare you talk about separating Pinnacle and Las Vegas Entertainment City? They belong to the Williams family. Are you trying to split them apart? You unfilial son!"
Henry Williams's dignified face was twisted with fury, his voice booming through the room. Emma couldn't help but wince as she watched the old man strike Benjamin's back repeatedly with his cane.
"Father, please calm down. Second brother must be confused to do something like this. Second brother, you didn't mean to oppose big brother, did you? You need to apologize quickly."
Liam quickly stepped forward to grab his father's arm, desperately signaling Benjamin with his eyes. Benjamin looked at Amelia with complicated eyes but kept his mouth shut. Faced with his father's rage, he said nothing.
Emma also rushed in to persuade the old man, but how could a man this angry be easily calmed? Even Liam couldn't stop his father from swinging that cane.
Watching Benjamin's stubborn expression, Emma knew he was determined to draw a clear line with Liam. She couldn't understand it. Even if Benjamin had always lived under his elder brother's shadow, he was far from mediocre. Besides, Liam had never done anything too harsh to him. He had always been good to his younger brother.
Why had Benjamin suddenly turned against him?
That night, just as Emma had initially expected, every light in Sunrise Manor blazed brightly. After all, the old man had been a soldier in his youth. Even in old age, he still had a strong foundation. It took considerable force to strike Benjamin's back with that cane. By the time he finally stopped, there were bloody welts on Benjamin's back. It was hard for him to hold back.
Seeing Benjamin's unrepentant expression, the old man leaned on his cane and knocked it against the floor several times. "I don't care about you anymore, you unfilial son. You'll move out starting tomorrow. Don't set foot in this house until you realize your mistake."
No one dared to speak up at that moment. They could only wait for the old man's anger to subside. But no matter what, Benjamin moving out of Sunrise Manor tomorrow had become an undeniable fact.
Amelia and a servant helped Benjamin into his room, and Dr. Julian Moore arrived shortly after.
...
Emma looked at Liam, who was standing at the door without walking in. She knew his heart wasn't as calm as it appeared.
So she reached out and gently tugged his sleeve.
Liam turned around and looked at the woman beside him. She was gazing at him with soft, tender eyes.
"You've been brothers for over twenty years. Even if you disagree for a while, you won't be enemies forever. I think your brother's rebellious phase is just lasting a bit long. When it's over, he'll come crying, holding your leg and saying he was wrong. Don't forgive him too easily then, okay?"
Emma's words swept away the haze from Liam's face, and he couldn't help but laugh. He reached out, took her soft, delicate hand, and slowly wrapped it in his warm palm. He held on for a long time without letting go.
He thought he finally understood why this woman, Emma Johnson, had become so impossible to resist.
She always managed to break through his cold heart without warning, turning it into a warm current that stirred his secret emotions. How could he ever let go of a woman like Emma?
He couldn't let go.
That evening, Liam drove home with Emma, who kept looking at him with caring eyes. When they arrived home, Liam couldn't help but laugh at her.
"I'm fine. Don't worry."
"Really?"
"Yes, really. Just like you said, his rebellious phase might be lasting too long. He'll understand one day. Father and I just have to work hard."
"I'm a bit worried that if he splits Las Vegas Entertainment City off in the future, he'll target you."
"If that happens, there's nothing I can do." Liam's tone was helpless, and Emma understood him. He couldn't teach Benjamin the same way he had dealt with William Thompson. At that moment, Emma truly felt that Benjamin was old enough to know better but still didn't understand at all.
Liam had been so good to him, yet Benjamin was ungrateful. He still wanted to fight his brother. When she thought about it, she felt the old man had been too lenient today.
Portland.
The dusk was dark. Elijah Clark ended the day's rescue operations and returned to the single room prepared for him, his body exhausted. He closed the door and took out the medical kit. He removed his coat. His abdomen was wrapped in gauze. When he unwrapped it, the bullet scar on his abdomen was visible, a vicious mark on his left side. Elijah changed the dressing himself, then tossed the pile of used gauze aside. Just then, Ryan Kim called.
"Hello."
Elijah's voice was cold and sharp.
"The businessman we arranged in Portland has successfully reached a cooperation agreement with Benjamin Williams. This morning, Benjamin snatched the land his brother Liam wanted to buy. It seems the businessman had some effect. He exploited Benjamin's weakness and drove a wedge between him and his elder brother. This way, there's a rift within Pinnacle Corporation."
Ryan Kim's voice carried a hint of excitement. After all, this was the first time so many of their plans had worked. Especially since Benjamin was Liam's own younger brother. It was a double blow.
"Well done. Remember, never reveal your whereabouts. As for future arrangements, I'll make plans when I return to the city in a few days."
"Understood."