Betrayed and Dumped She Rose Stronger Than Ever novel Chapter 397

Stephen slowed down, frowning a little as he tried to figure out why his cousin was suddenly back in the country. After that accident, when both his father and uncle died, Brett's mom had been so devastated that she took Brett and moved overseas. They’d never come back. The only time the families really connected was during holidays, when their grandfather would video call Brett and his mom, and everyone else would just nod and say a quick hello. Other than that, there was pretty much no contact. Brett's mom always blamed Stephen for what happened back then, and she’d never hidden her resentment toward their side of the family.

"Hey, you’re back?" Cindy’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

Stephen smiled at her, soft and warm. "Yeah, I’m back. Is Brett here?"

Cindy peeked into the house, then tugged Stephen off to the side, her voice dropping. "Do you know why Brett suddenly came back? He and his mother have been living abroad for years. Why would he just show up now?"

She couldn’t help but think maybe Brett was here to fight for the company. The board meeting was coming up in five days, and his timing was just a little too perfect. When Brett’s mom left all those years ago, Grandpa had agreed that Stephen’s family would take over Duncan Corporation, but he still kept a board seat for Brett. Grandpa had even given them a huge block of shares and made sure they got a big chunk of the annual dividends. Their living expenses overseas were all paid for by the Duncan family fund. Honestly, Brett and his mom had it made over there.

If Brett really was here to fight for the company...

Cindy pressed her lips together, feeling unsettled. Her family had been a victim too. She lost her dad, and Stephen lost even more, but they didn’t fall apart. Instead, they took control of Duncan Corporation. Stephen worked himself to the bone, pouring everything he had into the company, and that’s why it was doing so well now.

Stephen gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "This will always be his home. If he wants to come back, he can."

"I guess you’re right, but…" Cindy let out a sigh. "Brett just feels different now."

Brett was three years younger than her. When they were kids, he’d trail after her, calling her over and over, like an adorable little ball of energy. Even as a teenager, when his voice was cracking and he sounded like a duck, he still loved calling her. After their dads passed, Brett left with his mom. They kept in touch now and then, but this past year, Cindy could feel him pulling away. It was especially obvious after the last phone call, when she’d asked him for help with some evidence against Sonja. He got so cold, she could feel it through the phone.

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