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Edward closed his eyes and breathed in, deeply

The azalea bloouns away," I murmured

The security chief slowly lowered his weapon

"He nearly killed his own children, the fucking moron," Edward snarled "He almost murdered his wife He almost killed me He ruined the future of our House Nohen people talk of Sherwoods, they’ll think of murder, treachery, and conspiracy"

His eyes snapped open

"Fourteen years Fourteen years I kept BioCore afloat I pulled it back from the brink of bankruptcy after our senile asshole of a father drove it into the ground I kept it afloat when Brian’s research stalled, because he needed time for himself, because he was too overwhelmed and under too much pressure That little fucker, what the hell does he know about pressure? We all shielded him from it since he was a baby I kept the creditors at bay I made deals I put my own future on hold to keep the House afloat Olivia was only inally connected to us, and the effect on our business was catastrophic Olivia’s betrayal hurt us, but given time, I would’ve pulled us back fro Head of our House His involveet out Rynda’s already a social pariah With her husband and her mother connected to this mess, nobody will believe she’s innocent There is no way to overcole the future of his children He’s finally killed us We’re done"

I didn’t knohat to say That was decades of resent out

The room was quiet as a tomb

"Colin," Edward said

"Yes, sir?" the chief of security asked

"Inforht of the recent events, I’ll be assu leadership of the House What’s left of it Explain to her that the golden child has driven us into the ground Also, advise her to prepare for the BioCore bankruptcy filing"

"Yes, sir"

The security chief stepped out into the hallway

Edward looked at me

"I need to find out why," I told him "Could he have done it for money?"

Edward shook his head "Rynda is independently wealthy Last night she offered to bail out the company She views all of our current problems as her fault"

"Did you take her up on it?"

"No"

True

"Not only that, but I made sure that our personal wealth was at least partially shielded Ifwhen BioCore goes under, Brian will still have aantly, but in comfort"

"Is it possible that he did it to keep BioCore afloat?"

Edward laughed

"I take it that’s a no"

"No"

Brian had very few ambitions That left only one possible motive "Did your brother ever express dissatisfaction with his hed "He cao and told me he wanted to divorce Rynda He said his children were defective"

Well "What did you tell him?"

"I told him I would pretend I never heard what he said Then I explained that Jessica and Kyle were his children and that as a father, he was supposed to love them unconditionally He was supposed to protect them and take care of them That they couldn’t be discarded or traded in for a newhimself to be proud of theic talent he was hoping for, he still couldn’t abandon his responsibilities I also reic it would be if Brian turned into our old man"

"What did he say?"

"He asked me ould happen if he did it anyway He said that the ust dripped from Edward’s voice "I reminded him that Olivia Charles had powerful friends The effect on BioCore and his social standing would be devastating I also told hiain, I would retire and leave the running of the company to him, so he could fend for hi that important to him?"

"Yes Our parents made sure we had clearly defined roles He is a brilliant researcher, and I’m his older brother, destined to be his caretaker He doesn’t like when people talk about hined role He tolerated Jessica because she is, in all likelihood, a Prime empath like her mother But Kyle conflicted with Brian’s view of hios, therefore his son would also be a gifted Prian and I ever married and our children weren’t Primes, would he resent me? My heart squeezed itself into a tiny painful ball