Chapter 231
Chapter 231:
“Theo might have taken the private investigator into custody, but at this point, no actual harm has come to him. He’s still alive,” Charlie observed. “If he can’t cough up anything valuable, though, his luck could turn sour fast p>
After a brief silence, Charlie pressed on. “Sir, what made you abruptly grow wary of your brother p>
“Jessie’s performance was simply abysmal,” Brayden muttered, massaging the ache between his brows. “She’s notorious for disliking male company and keeping to herself. Then, out of the blue, a sleazy former lover materializes—anybody would smell something fishy p>
“But why keep it from your wife?” Charlie’s brow creased in disapproval. “You’ve handled so much behind the scenes; she deserves to know. And… I can’t shake the feeling that Clive’s guidance is shaky at best p>
Brayden tilted his head, puzzled. “Come again p>
That same morning in the office, Clive had bombarded Brayden with dating wisdom.
The takeaway: a man must cultivate enigma, remain distant, and exude charisma to command admiration—the cornerstone of any lasting romance.
The longer Charlie listened, the more uneasy he grew. He nearly cut in several times, yet Brayden kept nodding along in approval.
“Mr. Stanley,” Charlie ventured, “Clive may boast a string of conquests, but his partners are all barely out of their teens—naturally, they idolize him. But your wife is another breed entirely. She’s seasoned, self-sufficient, and fiercely autonomous; she doesn’t orbit any man. One misstep here, and the whole strategy could explode in your face.” His voice dropped to a hush.
Brayden’s forehead creased in thought. “Fair point. Line up a certified relationship specialist for tomorrow. I’ll take counsel from someone qualified p>
“Tonight is the ideal moment to reassure her. Are you truly choosing not to tell her p>
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“No need to mention it,” Brayden answered, eyelids drifting shut. “It’s trivial p>
Bragging to Gracie would only reek of seeking applause. He never traded kindness for obligation, nor did he wish to burden her. Besides, she had already pulled him from the fire countless times; this was merely balancing the ledger.
The motorcade rolled to a halt before a villa. Sentries flanking the sprawling penthouse snapped to attention.
The vehicle door opened; a towering silhouette emerged. From the trailing SUVs, disciplined security personnel fanned out in unison.
The mood shifted sharply, tension thickening as a wave of hostility swept through the room.
Brayden advanced at the vanguard, his cool stare locked across the divide. “Bring me Theo p>
“Apologies—this address isn’t open to visitors,” the head sentinel rumbled.
Before the echo faded, Brayden’s escorts surged, slamming the gatekeepers face-first into the pavement in seconds.
Unfazed, Brayden shoved the front door wide and spotted a middle-aged man on his knees, quaking, skin mottled with fresh welts.
Across from him, Theo lounged on the couch, the picture of nonchalance.
At Brayden’s entrance, Theo rose with a soft grin. “To what do I owe the pleasure, Brayden p>
“Word reached me you’d nabbed somebody. I hurried over, afraid you would land in hot water.” Brayden strode closer, eyeing the captive. “Care to explain the scene p>