Rebirth Revenge Is Everything (Ariana) novel Chapter 643

Bran's expression remained impassive, as cold and detached as ever, his answers delivered with mechanical precision.

Eliseo Moore didn’t blame his son for it.

After all, he himself was the type who spoke only when absolutely necessary, so such behavior didn’t bother him. What did bother him, however, was… something else. Eliseo’s icy eyes narrowed slightly, their unfathomable depths concealing emotions too dark to decipher.

After a few seconds of silence, he finally spoke. "When you arrive, convey my regards to Miss Ross on my behalf."

Bran’s face betrayed nothing.

Though the corner of his mouth twitched, he ultimately said nothing, pausing before replying with a stiff, "Understood." He wasn’t sure if he should remind his father that she was now *Mrs. Harper*—and given his former mother-in-law’s age, "Miss Ross" was hardly an appropriate address.

But knowing his father’s temperament, Bran chose to keep his mouth shut.

He pretended not to notice.

Eliseo continued, "Also, check in on Irene while you're there."

This time, Bran couldn’t feign indifference.

His demeanor instantly turned frosty. "Father, Ms. Harper, and I are already divorced. I have no intention of remarrying her." Within the Moore Group, his father had always wielded absolute control—even if, to the outside world, it appeared that Bran was gradually taking over. But he knew better. If his father ever decided to reclaim that power, he could do so in an instant.

He never doubted his father’s dominance.

It was precisely this suffocating shadow of authority that had stifled him since childhood, leaving him no room—no *right*—to defy his father.

Not even now, as a grown man.

But this time, he couldn’t take it anymore.

He understood exactly what his father was thinking. Though his father had never particularly liked Irene as a former daughter-in-law, as long as she remained the daughter of Aunt Kendra, she would always hold a special place in his father's regard. Back then, when he had been forced into the marriage alliance with Irene, it had been his father who had calmly and decisively arranged it all.

There was nothing he could do—no way to resist his father's will.

So he had gritted his teeth and silently agreed.

After all, he would have had to enter a political marriage sooner or later.

But now that Irene had clearly divorced him, he was finally free. Naturally, he had no intention of remarrying her. Even if his father was furious, he couldn’t bring himself to care anymore. At this point, Bran was no longer the helpless, sorrowful man who had once allowed his father to dictate his marriage.

Just as expected, Eliseo narrowed his eyes slightly upon hearing his son’s words.

A faint smile curled at his lips, though it never reached his eyes.

His deep, inscrutable gaze fixed on his son as he remarked indifferently, "Is that so?"

Bran could feel the temperature in the room plummet.

His face paled slightly.

Still, he clenched his jaw and pressed on, "Father, Aunt Kendra has never insisted that I stay with her daughter." Though he was still resisting, his tone had softened—an attempt to defy his father in a different way.

Eliseo remained silent.

Bran continued, "Father, it was Irene who initiated the divorce. She doesn’t like me, and I have no feelings for her either. In that case, forcing us back together would be pointless. I believe Aunt Kendra feels the same way. She might not even want me to have any further ties with Irene. Besides, whether I marry Irene or not won’t affect the collaboration between Moore and the Harper Group."

Truth be told, Bran had always liked Aunt Kendra.

Even if she was always somewhat distant.

Eliseo responded with a simple, "Mm."

With that, Bran cast one last glance at his father before turning away, his steps measured and steady as he walked off.

...

Meanwhile, back in the country, at the Harper residence.

News of Bran's impending arrival had stirred quite the commotion in the Harper household.

Nathan was thrilled, while Irene wrestled with a tangled mix of emotions—conflicted, somber, yet tinged with a faint glimmer of anticipation. As for Chairman Harper and his wife, Kendra, their reactions were even more distinct. Kendra remained as composed as ever, her demeanor unchanged, but Chairman Harper, for once, wasn't wearing his usual genial yet calculating smile.

Instead, he was uncharacteristically subdued, his attitude cool and distant.

No one at the dinner table dared disturb them.

Nathan and Irene ate in silence, and once the meal ended, they quickly excused themselves and left. Both were wary of Kendra and rarely lingered after dinner to chat with her. Retreating upstairs or leaving altogether had long become their habit.

After they were gone, Kendra rose slowly, preparing to head upstairs.

But Chairman Harper stopped her. His tone was flat as he said, "Bran is coming to the country."

Kendra frowned slightly, casting a sidelong glance at her longtime companion. "I know," she replied.

Chairman Harper pressed, "Don’t you have anything to say about it?"

Kendra fell silent for a moment, then narrowed her eyes, studying him intently. "What exactly are you trying to say?"

A flicker of pain and complexity crossed the man's expression, followed by a twinge of regret—he shouldn’t have spoken to Kendra in that tone. But he couldn’t help himself.