Side Chick Era Over (Sharon and Carter) novel Chapter 1054

Still, it was understandable—some matters inevitably touched on trade secrets.

Setting the company history aside, Sharon began reviewing Kalen Group's current operations and investments.

Just then, a soft knock sounded at the door.

When she opened it, she found Richard standing outside.

Though Sharon had her share of clashes and disagreements with her three older brothers, they had never truly fallen out—and Richard was the reason why.

Even when he doubted her, he never voiced his suspicions too harshly, nor pushed things to an irreparable point. He always left a way back, a fragile bridge of civility still standing between them.

Sharon invited him in and poured a glass of water. "Dad, is something the matter?"

Richard smiled. "Theo mentioned you've been studying business lately, so I thought I'd come take a look. If there's anything you don't understand, you can always ask me."

As the head of the Kalen Group, no one understood the company better than Richard himself.

Sharon didn't hesitate. "Dad, after your disappearance back then, the Kalen Group fell into chaos and nearly went bankrupt. I want to know—how did it come back from the brink?"

At the question, a flicker of nostalgia crossed Richard's eyes.

"That was because of a project your mother invested in," he said. "It turned out to be a massive success—far beyond anyone's expectations. That one investment temporarily stabilized the Kalen Group. Later, she made several more—each yielding remarkable returns. Eventually, the company was fully back on its feet.

"Sharon, you probably don't know this, but your mother was a genius in venture capital. The tech companies that Kalen Group now controls—many of them were investments she made back then. At the time, no one believed in them."

A faint smile touched Richard's lips as he spoke.

In corporate management, Shayla had her shortcomings. But when it came to investment foresight—her instinct for opportunity—she was one in a million.

If only she had known how to bend a little, to yield at the right time… perhaps they wouldn't have been separated so soon by life and death.

Victoria's mother had left him.

And years later, Shayla too, was gone, leaving him to face the world alone.

At the thought, a trace of bitterness surfaced in Richard's heart—resentment entwined with grief.