Suzanne quickly left the room, sensing the heavy tension inside. Isla, aware of Wyatt’s usual hostility, tried to leave quietly, but Gabriel firmly held her hand, urging her to stay. The atmosphere was charged as Wyatt confronted Gabriel, demanding attention and refusing to let anyone leave until he got what he wanted.
Wyatt accused Gabriel of canceling a board meeting meant to review a contract that needed Gabriel’s signature. Gabriel, irritated but composed, refused to be rushed and said he would review the contract later. He made it clear that he and Isla had other plans and tried to leave, but Wyatt insisted no one would leave without the contract signed.
The confrontation escalated when Wyatt insulted Gabriel and Isla, blaming them for their mother’s illness and accusing Gabriel of not caring. Gabriel’s anger grew, but he restrained himself. Just as Wyatt’s insults intensified, two security guards entered, and Gabriel took Isla away, protecting her from further conflict.
Wyatt was left alone, seething with rage and humiliation after being publicly dismissed by his younger brother. When one of the guards told him to leave and lock the office, Wyatt angrily resisted but was forcibly escorted out. The door closed behind him, leaving Wyatt isolated and defeated.
Suzanne exited the room immediately, sensing the thick tension hanging in the air. She closed the door softly behind her, leaving the charged atmosphere behind.
Isla was all too aware that Wyatt had never treated her kindly, and right now, she wasn’t prepared to face his hostility. She stood up quietly from the sofa, intending to slip away unnoticed. But before she could move, Gabriel’s hand found hers. His grip was firm, steady, and protective, grounding her in the moment.
“Stay,” he commanded, his voice low and edged with frustration. The irritation was unmistakable. Gabriel rarely lost his composure, but now he seemed dangerously close to breaking.
Wyatt took a step forward, his sharp eyes flicking between Gabriel and Isla, as if sizing them both up. His tone was authoritative, demanding attention. “I just arrived,” he said flatly, “and no one leaves until I’m finished.”
The words hit like a warning. Isla froze in place, a knot tightening in her stomach. Gabriel’s jaw clenched tightly, his chest rising and falling with controlled breaths as he exhaled sharply through his nose.
“Wyatt,” Gabriel began, his voice low but laced with barely contained anger, “you don’t just barge into my office without permission. I have somewhere important to be, and I won’t waste time. So whatever you want, say it now and leave.”
Wyatt’s smirk deepened, tilting his head with a hint of amusement at Gabriel’s temper. “I sent over a contract that needs your signature,” he said calmly. “I thought that was the point of your board meeting—to review pending contracts. But no, you canceled it and postponed it until next week?”
Every word was meant to provoke, to needle Gabriel. Yet, Gabriel held his gaze steadily, silent but warning.
The smirk disappeared from Wyatt’s face. He sighed and softened his tone. “All I need is your signature on the contract, Gabriel. Then I’ll be gone. That’s it.”
Without a word, Gabriel stepped away and returned to his desk. He picked up his phone, spoke briefly in a low voice that even Isla couldn’t catch, and then ended the call. His movements were calm but heavy with irritation.
He slipped on his suit jacket, buttoning it with deliberate care, then faced his brother. “I’ll review the contract tomorrow when I’m back in the office,” he said dismissively. “Right now, my wife and I have somewhere to be. So, if you’ll excuse me.”
He reached for Isla’s hand and began moving toward the door.
But Wyatt’s voice rang out sharply, making Isla flinch involuntarily.
“No one leaves this office until I get that contract signed!”
Gabriel halted abruptly. Slowly, he turned, his expression darkening with anger.
“Excuse me?” His tone was dangerously calm. “You think just because you’re my older brother, you can boss me around like one of your employees? Watch yourself, Wyatt. Don’t push your luck.”
Wyatt’s lips curled into a bitter smile. “You think I enjoy doing this?” he snapped. Then, shifting the subject abruptly, his voice took on a more accusatory edge. “Have you even seen Mother today?”
Gabriel’s fingers tightened around Isla’s hand. He was moments from walking away, but that question held him in place.
“I’ll see her when it’s convenient for me,” he answered evenly.
Wyatt let out a short, incredulous laugh. “Convenient?” His voice dripped with sarcasm. “You and your wife are the reason she’s ill! And you stand there talking about convenience? Wow, Gabriel. Just… wow.”
“Do you know who I am? You can’t—”
The heavy office door slammed shut behind him, cutting off his words.
Without delay, Stone locked the door and walked away, leaving Wyatt standing alone, as if he had vanished into thin air.
The charged confrontation between Gabriel and Wyatt laid bare the deep-seated tensions that have long simmered beneath the surface of their family dynamics. Gabriel’s protective stance toward Isla and his firm refusal to be bullied highlighted his growing strength and resolve, while Wyatt’s bitter frustration and desperate need for control revealed the fractures in his own character. Amidst the turmoil, Isla’s quiet presence and the unspoken support she received from Gabriel underscored the emotional stakes entwined with family loyalty and personal boundaries.
As the chapter closes, the scene leaves a lingering sense of unresolved conflict and emotional weight. Wyatt’s forced removal from the office symbolizes not only a physical ejection but also a moment of diminished power within the family structure. Yet, Gabriel’s calm determination to prioritize his wife and their future suggests a turning point—one where love and respect begin to challenge old wounds and entrenched rivalries. The chapter’s tension and raw emotion set the stage for the complex journey ahead, marked by both confrontation and the hope for reconciliation.
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the simmering tensions between Gabriel and Wyatt, revealing more about the fractured dynamics within their family. As Wyatt’s bitterness and resentment bubble to the surface, readers can anticipate a confrontation that could challenge loyalties and test the fragile bonds that hold them together. Isla’s position between the brothers will become even more precarious, caught in the crossfire of old wounds and unspoken grievances.
Emotionally charged moments are on the horizon, with Gabriel’s protective instincts clashing against the weight of family expectations and past disappointments. The question of their mother’s condition and its impact on the family’s unity will likely come to the forefront, stirring unresolved feelings and forcing characters to confront uncomfortable truths. With security now involved and Wyatt’s authority visibly undermined, the balance of power within the family and the company is set to shift, promising a chapter filled with suspense and emotional complexity.
Florence is a passionate reader who finds joy in long drives on rainy days. She’s also a fan of Italian makeup tutorials, blending beauty and elegance into her everyday life.

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