The True Heiress Reborn And Slays (Alicia Delaney) novel Chapter 223

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Chapter 223 A Change of Heart

Chapter 223 A Change of Heart

“It’s not about saving face. It’s the principle of the thing.”

“What principle? That your own family doesn’t matter to you?”

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Nola came out of the kitchen carrying the last dish and saw the whole scene unfolding. She rushed over to step between them. “Alright, that’s enough. Can’t we talk this through calmly? What’s with all the yelling? Let’s eat first-the food’s getting cold.”

Thanks to Nola playing peacemaker, the argument gradually died down.

The big spread she’d carefully prepared seemed to lose its flavor after all that.

She kept passing dishes to her son and her husband, trying to lighten the mood, but both of them just pushed food around their plates in silence. They didn’t so much as glance at each other, sitting across the table like complete strangers.

Truth was, this wasn’t the first time his parents had gotten upset with him for refusing to pull strings for someone.

Brandon couldn’t help but think back to what Riley had said to him that afternoon.

Earlier, he’d argued with her, insisting he could manage the risks just fine.

But what happened in reality?

Just one request about his uncle’s underachieving son-a favor he didn’t even want to bother turning down himself-was enough to blow up into a major fight at home and make his own parents look at him with such disappointment.

If the Cedar Creek project really moved forward, there would be countless more uncles, cousins, and old family friends showing up, calling in favors. They’d come at him-and at his parents-like a wave.

How was he supposed to say no to all of them?

Night had fallen over Cedar Creek.

The lights were still on in the site office. Riley had just wrapped up a video conference with several team members and was reviewing the project timeline, her desk covered with densely packed documents.

Her phone screen lit up with a text from an unknown number.

“You win. I’m stepping back from the Cedar Creek deal.”

Riley’s finger hovered over the screen. For a moment, she was caught off guard.

She could guess the number belonged to Brandon.

She just hadn’t expected that man–the one who’d come on so strong, the one who called the shots in Havenbrook’s investment circles-to back out so completely.

She’d thought it would take at least a few more rounds of negotiations.

Riley leaned back slowly in her chair and let out a long, quiet breath.

At the same time, Sebastian’s assistant, Ryan Martin, knocked and entered, placing a file quietly on the desk. He kept his voice low

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9:22 amp pp

Chapter 223 A Change of Heart

as he reported, “Mr. Torres, we’ve just confirmed that Ms. Harper met with Brandon from Universal Corp earlier today”

Sebastian didn’t look up. “Noted.”

Ryan hesitated, then added a key detail. “They were alone together for nearly half the day”.

“Half the day.”

Sebastian repeated the words. The tip of his pen left a heavy blot of ink on the document in front of him.

A strange, sharp irritation washed over him.

Lucas had been a fool. He couldn’t see Riley’s value.

But Sebastian was different. He knew better than anyone just how compelling his fiancée could be.

She wasn’t just strikingly attractive-she had a sharp, insightful mind that drew people in.

And Brandon… that shrewd, calculating man wouldn’t waste half a day on something that didn’t matter.

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He had sensed danger. It was that primal instinct, the kind that flared up when you felt your territory was being threatened.

Just then, the office door opened. His gray-haired great-uncle walked in.

“Sebastian, we’re pretty much finished here. A few of us old-timers were thinking-tomorrow we might take a detour to Arvella, check out the casino scene, soak up the atmosphere.”

The old man spoke cheerfully, his tone making it clear this was more of an announcement than a request.

These company veterans who’d accompanied him from Torres Group headquarters were supposed to be here on an inspection tour, but everyone knew they were really just keeping tabs on him.

Now, instead of being eager to return, they were talking about running off to a gambling town for some so-called “field research”.

Under normal circumstances, Sebastian might have bitten his tongue and played along.

But right now, with Brandon’s name lingering in the air and that simmering anger in his chest, he lost all patience.

He looked up and replied coolly, “I’m afraid that’s not feasible. Arvella hasn’t been very stable lately. Your safety comes first. Besides, there’s plenty of work waiting for everyone back at headquarters.”

“Ah, young people these days never understand the importance of balancing work and life…” He left with that meaningful comment, making it clear he had no intention of cutting the trip short.

After he left, Sebastian immediately called his assistant.

“My great-uncle’s grandson-hasn’t he been getting involved with that woman with all the legal troubles? Find a way to stir things up at home for him. I want him on the first flight back tomorrow morning to deal with his family drama.”

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