Loving The Better Brother novel Chapter 38

Chapter 38 Mentor

WILLOW

Fished

“Thanks, I would really appreciate that,” I sighed and looked at my plate this time.

There was one last bite sitting obediently on the edge of my fork. It was ridiculous how I didn’t want to lift it up and take the last bite.

Maybe it was because I had already said I would leave once I finished my food. Maybe it was because I wanted to hear more of what he was going to say. Either way, I let the fork stay where it was.

Then, he leaned back in his chair, sounding more serious than before. “The corporate world is already harsh, but it’s even harsher for beginners.”

“I’m going to be honest. It won’t get better. You’ll just be the one who gets better.”

“Even though I tried hard to stop such antics in the company, I just cannot,” he continued, letting out a quiet chuckle that held no humor. “Even my brother likes to prick on my nerves and start such wars.”

“However,” he added, his eyes sharpening, “if there’s one thing I know will get people to stop talking, it is to shut them up with my skills. I wasn’t the best in the beginning.”

“You’re lying,” I muttered automatically. “You became the CEO at twenty–five. How much more competent can you get?”

He smiled faintly, but it was not the arrogant kind. “I was great at faking it,” he said. “But the truth was, I was nervous too.”

That made me pause.

“I had been studying this job since I was eighteen,” he continued. “I wanted to be prepared. I wanted to become untouchable so that others would not be able to question me. However, Marcus keeps doing it because he is my brother. Blood makes people brave.”

I studied him in silence.

12:41 pm Ppp.

Chapho N Mehler

Finished

For a man who had expanded Hale Industries into something people whispered about with awe, he looked strangely human in that moment.

“Doesn’t it get lonely?” I asked suddenly.

The question slipped out before I could stop it. I did not even know why I asked. Maybe it was because I had been lonely lately, too.

He paused. Then he smiled, and it was softer than anything I had seen from him before.

“I have never been asked that,” he said quietly.

“You’re the first.”

上

“I was just curious,” I said quickly, pretending to focus on the tablecloth despite the beating of my heart. “You’ve been alone at the top for a very long time.”

“Want to join me here?” he asked lightly.

“Shut up. You’re crazy,” I muttered, but I could not stop the small smile from tugging at my lips.

He chuckled, and the sound was warm. It was dangerous how easily he could switch from intimidating CEO to someone who felt almost approachable.

“Thanks for listening, though,” I said after a moment. “Hearing some insights from you actually felt… reassuring.”

“Do not be too flattered, though,” I added quickly.

He raised an eyebrow. “I would not dare.”

I focused on the last bite of food on my plate again. If I ate it, the conversation would end.

I picked up my fork slowly.

And then he said, “What if I teach you the ropes?”

12:41 pm Ppp.

Chapter 38 Menter

The fork froze midair again.

“What?” I asked, tilting my head to the side while looking at him.

Finished

“I’ll teach you,” he repeated simply. “If there is one person you can learn about this

my father city from, it would be me. I also served as the unofficial secretary of before I became the CEO.

“I am sure there are similarities between Fiorane and Hale. I will be happy to help and share everything I have learned.”

For a moment, I just stared at him.

This was the last thing I should agree to.

I had told myself I would not get entangled with him any more than necessary.

And yet, everything he said made sense.

“You do realize,” I said slowly, narrowing my eyes at him, “that this sounds like some kind of mentorship romance novel cliche.”

He laughed outright this time. “Does it?”

“Yes. The powerful CEO takes the struggling junior under his wing and teaches her everything she needs to know.”

He leaned forward slightly, resting his forearms on the table. “And what happens next in that novel?”

“I do not know,” I said defensively. “Probably chaos.”

“Chaos is inevitable,” he replied calmly.

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