Chapter 445

“If you don’t let me in right now, I’m calling the police!” Erik shouted furiously. “I believe you’re illegally detaining my father!”

“Calm yourself,” Charlie said, stepping squarely in front of him. “Mr. Brayden Stanley will be here shortly. You can speak with him then. For now, you’re not going inside.”

“Charlie, are you trying to challenge me?” Erik roared, his face twisted with anger. “Don’t forget who signs your paycheck!”

Charlie didn’t budge. “The only person I’ve ever answered to is Mr. Brayden Stanley. You’re not the one who pays me.”

Erik seethed, already pulling out his phone to call the police.

Before he could dial, the phone was snatched cleanly from his hand.

He whirled around in fury and found Brayden standing behind him, holding the device.

“Hmph. I thought you’ve been avoiding me,” Erik sneered. “Tell me, what’s your plan? Hiding your grandfather in a hospital room? He’s always doted on you, and this is how you repay him?”

The noise quickly drew attention. Patients and family members nearby slowed down to watch, and a few even raised their phones to start recording.

Gracie moved closer to Brayden and spoke in a low voice. “There are too many people watching. Let him go in first. He won’t dare make a move with all of us present.”

Brayden gave a slight nod, then looked straight at Erik. “If you genuinely care about Grandpa, you shouldn’t be shouting outside his room. You’ll wake him.”

Erik’s face drained of color. “What kind of nonsense is that? If you hadn’t blocked me from seeing him, I wouldn’t have had to make a scene. How else was I supposed to force you to show up?”

“That’s enough,” Brayden said flatly, signaling to the bodyguards.

They stepped aside. Brayden and Gracie entered the room first, with Erik following closely behind.

Inside, Kevin lay quietly in bed, looking out the window. His expression was unusually vacant, his eyes softer, stripped of their former sharpness.

“Dad!” Erik rushed to his side, gripping his shoulders anxiously. “What’s wrong? Is Brayden keeping you here against your will?”

Kevin turned his head, looking confused. “Brayden? Is Brayden here? Where is he?”

Brayden walked over and knelt beside the bed. “Grandpa, I’m here.”

Kevin’s face brightened. He reached out and gently patted Brayden’s head, smiling with childlike warmth. “Did you learn anything new at preschool today? Tell me about it.”

“I did,” Brayden replied with a laugh. “Lunch was really good today, and they gave us tangerines. I saved one just for you.”

He casually picked up a tangerine from the table and placed it in Kevin’s hand, prompting Kevin to laugh out loud.

Erik stared at the scene in disbelief, staggering back a few steps. “How did this happen? He was never ill before, and now…”

“Kevin has Alzheimer’s,” Gracie said as she stepped forward. “It came on suddenly, so we didn’t inform you.”

“Why not?” Erik snapped, glaring at her. “I’m his only son. I have the right to know. What are you hiding? Are you taking advantage of him while he’s not clear-headed and making him sign something?”

Gracie met his eyes without flinching. “You of all people should know that those thoughts belong to you and Aiden. Kevin has already transferred his shares to Brayden. Even if Brayden did nothing, the family assets would still end up with him. There’s no need for us to manipulate anything.”

“So now you see me as a threat?” Erik’s eyes darkened. “He’s my father. Do you honestly think I’d harm him? Now that I know the truth, I won’t just stand aside. I’ll find the best doctors, get him proper treatment, and when he recovers, he’ll finally see you for who you really are—people who put profit above blood.”

A faint crease appeared between Gracie’s brows. Erik’s outrage and shock didn’t appear entirely fake. Could it be that they truly weren’t the ones scheming against Kevin?

By then, Brayden had already calmed Kevin and helped him settle back into bed.

Since developing Alzheimer’s, Kevin spent most of his time asleep. Even when he was awake, he was often disoriented, lacking the vitality he once had.

“You’ve seen him,” Brayden said quietly. “Let’s step outside and talk. We shouldn’t disturb him any further.”

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