Oliver stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray, sending a chill down Sydney and Rowan's spines. It felt like he was crushing their very hopes.
Leaning back with a drink in hand, Oliver's carefree expression was tinged with a hint of menace, silencing them both. His voice sliced through the tension, "Dominic isn't even my mother's child. Why should I help him get a job at the firm? What makes him so special?"
Rowan bristled, but Sydney's hand on his leg stopped him from speaking out. She took a deep breath and said, "Oliver, I get that we've had our differences. But right now, everyone knows we're family. You and Dominic running the company together—wouldn't that be amazing?"
"What's amazing about that?" Oliver's eyes were like daggers. "The company has nothing to do with you. I won't let you waltz in here. If you want to stay alive, live your life quietly. If not, I might as well hand you the knife now!"
His words were a clear threat, making Sydney and Rowan recoil. Oliver stood up, his gaze piercing. "I thought you might have something up your sleeve, but it turns out you're just after the Baldwin family fortune."
Sydney's eyes widened in panic. "Oliver, that's not what I meant. We're all family, I..."
"Shut up! Who gave you the right to speak?" Oliver snapped.
Embarrassed, Sydney looked at Rowan. He couldn't hold back his anger any longer. He slammed his hand on the table and stood up, shouting, "Oliver, where are your manners?"
"Rowan, do you really want to disgrace yourself? 'Spare the rod, spoil the child'—have you forgotten what that means?"
Oliver headed for the door, not wanting to waste another second. Sydney chased after him, desperate for Dominic's future, and grabbed Oliver's arm. He shook her off and kicked her in the shin. Sydney cried out in pain and fell to the floor, letting go of his arm.
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