Chapter 339: Chris’s WarningChris didn’t sleep that night.Even after Stephany stormed upstairs and slammed the bedroom door, he remained where he was, sitting on the edge of the couch like a man stranded between two cliffs.The silence of the house pressed against him from all sides.It wasn’t just her words that kept echoing in his mind, it was the meaning behind them. ”Just my lame husband.”Three words. But they sliced deeper than any accusation could.After everything they had been through, after every battle he had fought behind closed doors, this was how she still saw him?The man she brought in. The man she protected. Not an equal.After everything they’ve been through, he thought their relationship has improved. Little did he know that was what she thought of him. Not someone she could trust.Not someone she knew.But that wasn’t her fault entirely.He had hidden the truth for too long.He was the real Chris Brown, the man behind MTD, the force behind Sterling Heritage, th

Chapter 341: A Glimpse of TruthThe meeting had barely ended when Chris stepped out onto the porch, the cool breeze brushing past him like a reminder to breathe.Behind him, he could still hear the low hum of voices as some board members lingered in the living room, mingling and mumbling about projections and partnerships. But Chris had heard enough.He didn’t wait for Stephany.She hadn’t said a word to him after the meeting. Not even a glance. It was like she had shut a door between them, and he wasn’t sure she planned to open it again.His phone buzzed in his hand.Sandra Phillips.He picked up. “Yes?”Her voice was brisk. “Chris, something came up. You need to come to Sterling. Now.”“What’s wrong?”“There’s a last-minute investor review coming from the west branch. They’re requesting clearance on some of the European assets. It’s messy, and I can’t afford a mistake right now.”Chris rubbed his temple. “I was headed to the office anyway. I’ll stop by first.”“Thank you,” she said

Chapter 343: The Power Behind the Curtain The Preston family boardroom had never looked more official. The heavy mahogany table gleamed under the chandelier, and the walls were adorned with fresh charts, proposal folders, and cups of untouched coffee. It was the final meeting to determine the fate of Charles Preston’s proposed investment deal. Everyone was seated—Grandma Preston, Eleanor, Henry, Stephany, several executive board members, and trusted advisors from the company. Yet the seat at the end of the table, where Chris usually sat, remained conspicuously empty. It was no secret that he hadn’t been around lately. To the uninformed, it looked like Chris Brown had been pushed out of Preston affairs. But appearances were misleading. Because while Chris wasn’t physically present, his influence was about to echo louder than ever. At precisely 10:15 a.m., the door opened, and Sandra Phillips stepped in, calm and poised. Dressed in a sleek gray suit and heels that tapped c

Chapter 345: The Man Behind the SilenceThe heavy doors of the house flung open with a bang, startling everyone in the living room.Charles stormed in, red in the face, shoulders stiff with anger. His shoes thudded against the marble floor like war drums.Chris looked up from the hallway, his arms crossed, already sensing the storm coming.“There you are,” Charles spat. “The root of all this mess.”Stephany stood from her seat. “Dad, what are you talking about?”Charles didn’t look at her. His glare was fixed solely on Chris.“You think you’re clever, don’t you?” Charles growled, stepping closer. “Keeping quiet. Acting harmless. But somehow, every time something goes wrong in this family, you’re always nearby.” Chris blinked slowly, his face unreadable. “What are you accusing me of this time?”“Don’t play dumb,” Charles snapped. “Sandra Phillips showing up at the board meeting out of nowhere? MTD suddenly inserting themselves into my investment plan? That’s not coincidence. That’s ma

Chapter 347: Rumors and Doubts The atmosphere in the house had changed. Not that it had ever been warm to begin with, but now, it was stiff, brittle, like a glass waiting to shatter. Chris’s absence had become a haunting presence. Every time the door creaked, Stephany’s eyes darted toward it, half-expecting him to walk in. Every time the phone rang, she paused, hoping it would be his name on the screen. But it never was. He’d left without a fight. That’s what bothered her the most. Not the argument. Not the insults she hurled. Not even the silence that followed. But the way he walked away—as if he had expected it. As if… he had prepared for it. Eleanor noticed the shift in her daughter’s moods but said nothing at first. She’d seen Stephany restless before—over deals, over shoes, even over men—but never like this. This was different. She was unraveling slowly. It started with small things. Forgetting where she placed her phone. Zoning out during meetings. Show