“No matter what, we’re partners. Even though I’m about to marry Gifford, I’m still willing to work with you,” Delia replied in her charming voice. “I assumed you’d sabotage things quietly, but instead Kevin lands in the hospital—with Alzheimer’s, no less. What a coincidence. Let me guess—”

“Well, the more you know, the more dangerous this becomes. If I were you, I wouldn’t speculate.” Theo’s tone was cold. “We’re on the same side right now, chasing the same objective. Let’s not waste time trying to undermine one another.”

“Of course,” Delia said lightly. “I’ll act as if I know nothing. But once that drug clears clinical trials, stopping it will be far more difficult. Why not take advantage of this moment and have your grandfather draft a will? That way, whatever Brayden holds could legally become yours.”

Her words lingered in Theo’s mind as a warning, yet this path was anything but simple.

“I already have things arranged, Miss Campbell. You should focus on looking after yourself,” he said before ending the call. Then he got into the car.

He drove straight back to the family estate. Erik was pacing back and forth in the foyer, making phone calls. Nearby, Aiden sat slumped on the sofa, looking pensive.

Theo walked toward them. “Dad, are you still contacting overseas specialists? We both know that even the top doctors won’t be able to reverse Grandpa’s condition.”

Erik whirled around, eyes blazing. “What exactly are you trying to say? That we just sit here and wait for him to die?”

As Gracie’s words from the hospital resurfaced in his mind, he immediately turned suspicious of Theo. “Did you deliberately make your grandfather sick?”

Theo stiffened. “How could you even think that?” he said tightly. “Grandpa agreed to let me test the medication. I never imagined the side effects would be this extreme. I know what you’re worried about—once Grandpa is gone, you and Aiden won’t have a place in this family. That’s why you both need a contingency plan.”

Aiden looked up sharply. “Theo, have you already thought of a way out for us?”

Theo gave a slow nod. “Grandpa isn’t clear-minded right now. If we can secure a will, then even if the shares can’t be reclaimed, we can still ensure a larger portion of the assets. As long as the legal process is handled properly, the will shall stand. That way, even after Grandpa is gone, Brayden won’t be able to take everything.”

The moment he finished speaking, Erik’s and Aiden’s eyes brightened.

Aiden sprang to his feet. “Dad, this could actually work. If we get more cash now, even if we’re forced out later, we’ll still have enough capital to start fresh.”

Erik ignored Aiden and focused instead on Theo. “What do you want in return?”

Whenever something seemed too convenient, he trusted his instincts; there was always a catch. He refused to believe Theo was acting without a personal motive.

Theo lowered his eyes slightly. “I don’t want anything,” he said quietly. “You’re my father. I just don’t want you ending up with nothing.”

Erik studied him carefully, searching for any trace of deception. When he found none, he reached out and gave Theo’s shoulder a firm pat. “I knew it. You’ve always been kind. This time, it’s obviously Brayden and Gracie trying to smear you so they can grab everything for themselves. Don’t worry—if I manage to secure a large part of the inheritance, I won’t treat you unfairly.”

“Of course,” Theo replied calmly. “I trust you. I don’t need anything for myself. All I want is to keep this family intact.” As he spoke, he pulled a neatly prepared document from his pocket and handed it over. “I drafted this will in advance. Even if it’s challenged later, the distribution is reasonable. All that’s left is getting Grandpa’s signature.”

Erik took the document, his eyes following Theo as he walked away. Could his son really be that selfless?

Aiden rushed forward, grabbing the papers eagerly. “Dad, we’d get twenty-five percent between us. That’s a massive amount.”

“You really trust him?” Erik asked slowly.

Aiden hesitated for a brief moment. “The allocation doesn’t include Theo at all. He might genuinely be doing this for us. And Dad, you know his personality better than anyone.”

That was enough to erase Erik’s final doubts. After all, since childhood, Theo had never been the type to fight or compete for what wasn’t his.

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