While My Husband Cheated I Married His Powerful Brother novel Chapter 99

Chapter 99: Chapter 99 Pride Before Shame

The private dining room was dimly lit.

A single lamp cast warm light across the table. The old man sat in a high-backed chair, his hands wrapped around a porcelain teacup. His face was lined with wrinkles. His white hair was thin and wispy. His clothes were simple: a faded jacket, a worn shirt, trousers that had seen better days.

Caspian stood across from him, his hands clasped behind his back. Xiomara stood slightly behind Caspian, her eyes fixed on the old man’s face.

"Grace," Caspian said. His voice was smooth. Persuasive. "I’ve been looking for you."

The old man blinked. His brow furrowed.

"I’m sorry," he said. "You must have the wrong person."

Caspian’s smile did not waver. "There’s no need to be modest. Dr. Harrison told me about you. Your work on SN1818. Your brilliance. Your anonymity."

The old man shook his head. "I don’t know what you’re talking about."

Xiomara stepped forward. Her voice was sharp. "There’s no point pretending. We know who you are."

"I’m not pretending," the old man said. "I’m telling you the truth."

Caspian pulled out a chair and sat down. He leaned forward. His elbows rested on the table.

"Let me be direct," he said. "I want to partner with you. My company has the resources. The connections. The manufacturing capacity. I can bring SN1818 to market faster than anyone else."

The old man stared at him.

"I don’t know what SN1818 is," he said.

Caspian’s smile tightened. "You don’t have to protect your identity with me. I’m not like the others. I understand the need for discretion."

"I’m not protecting anything. I’m telling you the truth."

Xiomara laughed. A short, dismissive sound.

"Fine. Play your game." She crossed her arms. "But before you decide, you should know something."

She paused.

"Your chosen partner, Xavier Lala, has a grudge against the Zed family."

Caspian leaned back. He watched the old man’s face.

"Xavier Lala," he said slowly, "is a liability. He’s been fighting the Zed family for years. Every contract he signs is contested. Every approval takes months longer than it should."

He paused.

"Partnering with him means inheriting his enemies. The Zed family won’t stop. They’ll block your formula. Delay your approvals. Starve your resources. They’ll bury you before you ever get off the ground."

The old man said nothing.

Xiomara stepped closer. "Professor Sterling told me everything. He said you would never choose Xavier if you knew the truth."

The old man looked at her.

"I think you’ve been misinformed," he said.

Xiomara’s composure cracked. Her voice rose.

"Stop pretending! We know you’re Grace. Dr. Harrison was just here. You’re the only person in this room."

The old man sighed. He set down his teacup.

"I’m not Grace," he said. "I don’t know who that is. I clean the restrooms. The VIP restrooms. That’s my job."

Caspian stared at him.

"You’re a janitor?"

"Yes."

Xiomara’s face went red. "You’re lying."

"I’m not."

Xiomara grabbed his collar. "Who are you?"

The old man did not flinch.

"My name is Harold Hudson," he said. "I’ve worked here for twelve years. I clean the toilets on the second floor. I’ve never met Dr. Harrison before tonight. He asked me to sit here while he finished a phone call."

A voice came from behind them.

"He’s telling the truth."

Xiomara spun around.

A waitress stood in the doorway. She wore a black uniform and a white apron. Her name tag read Sophie.

Xiomara’s hand dropped from the old man’s collar.

"Who are you?" she demanded.

"My name is Sophie. I’ve worked here for three years." She looked at Xiomara, then at Caspian. "Mr. Hudson is our janitor. He’s been here longer than anyone else on the second floor. He’s not Grace or whatever you are calling him."

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