THE CASTAWAY HEIR: POWER UNSEEN

Brandon Scott wiped the last bit of dust from the polished counter when his phone buzzed sharply.

Without wasting any time, he picked up.

“Sir, the application went through. Reckon International, your wife's company has been approved for listing. Tomorrow morning, during the prime time slot, she’ll be ringing the Nasdaq bell.”

Brandon froze mid-step, the rag slipping slightly from his hand.

“Are you certain?”

“Yes, sir. And the press conference is being broadcast live on TV right now. The whole market is buzzing.”

"Good job, Joe,” he said warmly. “You’ve handled everything flawlessly. I’m proud of you.”

After ending the call, Brandon smiled with quiet pride.

For the past two years of their marriage, he had supported Sophia behind the scenes, but she had remained unaware of the countless ways he had worked to pave her path.

Now, he had secured her approval for a position that many brilliant and ambitious executives in the city had applied for—yet only she had been chosen.

Brandon hurried to the kitchen, gathering fresh snacks to share the news and celebrate with everyone in the house.

Downstairs, in the grand living room, Ava Bennet, his mother-in-law sat with her circle of well-dressed friends.

The women gathered, proudly talking about their children’s achievements.

“My eldest just locked in a partnership with Whitmore & Blake, one of New York’s top law firms,” Alice one of Ava’s friends said, her smile tinged with smug satisfaction.

“That’s impressive,” Doris, another friend replied, leaning in.

“My son just got recruited by a Silicon Valley tech giant. They’re offering him a six-figure starting salary—straight out of grad school.”

Ava listened with her fingers tightening around her teacup.

She wanted to boast too, to show them that her family wasn’t any less capable, but all she had to offer was the silent truth of her daughter Sophia’s long nights and tireless work.

It didn’t quite match the polished stories her friends recited.

“And your daughter?” Alice asked slyly, her eyes sparkling as she noticed Jane hadn’t spoken.

“She’s doing well at Reckon International,” Jane replied.

The women chuckled.

Ava’s remark seemed hardly remarkable.

Clearly, Sophia, her daughter hadn’t accomplished anything extraordinary, especially considering the caliber of her husband, whose league they knew all too well.

Probably, they were in similar circles themselves. The only difference was that she worked, while he stayed at home.

Just then, a polite knock came at the door before it opened.

Brandon stepped inside, balancing a tray with snacks and freshly brewed tea, greeting them and presenting it with a smile.

“I thought everyone could use a little refreshment,” he said smoothly.

The women snickered behind their hands, eyes glinting with mischief.

“Oh, Ava,” Doris drawled, “your son-in-law is just too sweet.”

“Such a model houseboy,” Alice added, her tone dripping with mockery.

Ava flushed, caught between embarrassment and fury. She had tried to cover for her daughter, and now this good-for-nothing son-in-law had the audacity to appear.

“You’re lucky, Ava,” Doris continued, feigning admiration. “Even if he isn’t rich or capable, at least he knows how to serve people. That’s… special.”

Alice leaned in, smirking. “Yes, quite the dedicated housekeeper. You really are fortunate.”

The women burst into laughter.

Ava’s cheeks burned crimson and her pride shriveled under their playful mockery. She turned on Brandon sharply.

“Do you have no shame? This isn’t a place for you to hover and make a fool of yourself. Now, leave!”

Brandon’s expression faltered, but he didn’t retreat.

He set the tray carefully on the table, then straightened.

“I apologize if I intruded,” he said, respectfully.

“But there’s something important I wanted to share. I’ve just received news about Sophia.”

At the mention of her daughter, Ava’s annoyance wavered.

She leaned forward, eager to hear what Brandon had to say.

“What about Sophia?”

“Her company has been approved for listing. Tomorrow she’ll ring the Nasdaq bell. And right now,” Brandon added, eyes gleaming, “her press conference is airing live on television.”

The words hit the room like a stone dropped into still water and Ava blinked.

“Is… is that true?” she asked, her voice trembling between disbelief and hope.

Brandon nodded firmly. “It’s true.”

Without hesitation, one of the women snatched the remote and turned on the television.

The screen flickered to life, and there was Sophia Bennet standing poised at a podium.

She wore a tailored suit, her hair swept elegantly, and her smile was radiant and confident.

Cameras flashed, and reporters leaned forward to listen to her.

Ava’s hand flew to her mouth as pride surged through her chest.

The women around her gasped and then erupted into praise.

“Gracious! Your daughter looks so incredible!”

"She's the perfect mix of beauty and brains!"

“How accomplished! This is extraordinary.”

“To think she’ll be ringing the Nasdaq bell tomorrow! That’s history.”

Compliments poured over Ava, and with each one, she felt very proud.

She had always known her daughter’s brilliance, but seeing it reflected in the astonished eyes of her friends who had just made her appear as the odd one out amongst them, felt sweeter than she had ever imagined.

In the midst of this, she noticed Brandon linger quietly by the doorway with a faint smile on his lips.

The louder the women praised Sophia, the deeper Ava’s resentment burned.

Every glance at her son-in-law standing there was a reminder that he was nowhere near her daughter’s league.

“Idiot!” she barked. “You’ve said what you came to say. Now get out. Go downstairs and finish the chores. Don’t just stand here as if you belong!”