Once Mr. Austin had departed, Murray and Mr. Brennan retreated to the study.
Closing the door behind them, Murray began carefully, “Dad, about the matter of the heir… what are your thoughts?”
His own mind was already made up. He had only supported Lauren because he believed Anastasia wasn’t capable. Now that Anastasia had proven herself to be not just capable, but vastly superior—and his own flesh and blood—the title of heir rightfully belonged to her.
He waited for his father’s response, but silence filled the room.
“Dad?”
A world-weary look crossed Mr. Brennan’s face. “That child… Ana,” he finally said, his voice heavy with regret. “We’ve neglected her for so long. All these years, and we never saw the gift she possessed.”
A wave of guilt washed over Murray, and he opened his mouth, but no words came. It was a bitter irony. They had poured all their resources into grooming an heir for Cecilia, all while ignoring her actual daughter. They had mistaken a diamond for a stone, a true genius for a failure.
“Hah,” the old man sighed deeply. “I need some time to think about this.”
“Of course.”
Murray gave a nod. He had other urgent matters to attend to and left the study.
Downstairs, Lauren rushed into the house, her face pale. She grabbed the housekeeper, Marry, and asked in a hushed, anxious tone, “Did… did Grandfather hear about what happened with Calvin at the conference?”
“I haven’t heard any commotion from the master’s study, so I don’t think he knows yet…”
“Good.” Lauren let out a sharp breath of relief and hurried upstairs.
She was just approaching the study when she ran into Murray, who was coming out.

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