The Rose He Showed Off Is Putting Down Roots in a Garden of Her Own novel Chapter 262

"Your father and grandfather worked their fingers to the bone to build your empire, and it hasn't even been fully handed down to you yet. You dare pull a stunt like this?" Xavier lectured harshly.

"The old man might be gone, but the Sterling Group's influence is still deeply rooted. A century-old beast doesn't just roll over and die. Don't overestimate yourself, and certainly don't underestimate the Sterlings."

Zane was a brilliant man. How could he not have weighed the risks?

"That's exactly why I called you here to help me brainstorm," he replied smoothly.

"Brainstorm my ass. The City's elite families rise and fall together."

That rule of mutual survival among the City's elite families was an outdated pact made by the older generation. Zane didn't buy into that crap for a second.

Still, relying on Xavier to make a move was going to be difficult.

He needed a catalyst.

An ally.

Someone like Gideon Grant—ruthless, capable, ambitious, and hungry.

Gideon's stepmother was Julian's aunt.

That Mrs. Grant was a classic snake-hearted woman. She paraded around looking beautiful and kind, ensuring her biological son was praised as a modern-day saint, while letting her stepson Gideon's reputation rot until the whole city thought he was a scoundrel.

It wasn't hard to deduce that Gideon had a ruthless stepmother.

Based on that, Zane knew Gideon and the Sterlings would never be on the same side.

He was banking on Elara succeeding so they could tie themselves to the same ship.

He and Gideon had a complicated relationship—they were fierce rivals who held a grudging respect for one another.

Zane figured that in ancient times, a man like Gideon would have to be executed immediately if he couldn't be controlled.

But in the modern world, the best strategy was to avoid making him an enemy.

The pie in the City was only so big; they had to balance cooperation with cutthroat competition.

When Zane walked Xavier out, they bumped right into Elara in the hallway.

She blinked in surprise before stepping forward to greet them. "Xavier. Mr. Whitaker."

Xavier gave a polite nod and then turned to Zane. "No need to see me out. I'm heading home."

Zane didn't insist. His eyes were entirely glued to Elara anyway.

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