Chapter 696 Under Surveillance?
At the moment the door swung open, Sebastian caught a fleeting glimpse of a figure darting through the front corridor.
Just as he prepared to give chase, Brooke emerged from where the figure had vanished, carrying a tray adorned with a hangover remedy and a glass of water.
"You just got back. Where are you off now?"
It never even crossed his mind to suspect his mother as the one lurking outside the door. He brushed past her and bolted toward where the elusive figure had disappeared.
He reached the corner of the corridor. Turning around, there was stairs and a guest room.
Brooke had come up from the stairs, so Sebastian flung open the guest room door and meticulously scoured the space, but his search yielded nothing.
Doubt began to creep into his mind. Had he imagined the whole thing? Was there really no one spying on him from the hallway? He had just returned, and few people were privy to his arrival. Who could have known to monitor him so swiftly?
While lost in these musings, Brooke approached and inquired, "What are you looking for?"
"Did you see anyone suspicious going downstairs when you came up?" Sebastian questioned, still preoccupied with his thoughts.
Brooke shook her head. "Nope, just me! The household staff is very disciplined; they don’t come up here unless it’s for cleaning."
Sebastian's suspicions deepened. Was it really just a trick of his mind? But how could he explain that fleeting figure? Was his vision merely clouded by the alcohol?
Noticing his pensive state, Brooke's concern grew. “Sebastian, are you okay? Don't scare me.”
Sebastian glanced at her deeply, shook his head, and left the guest room, contemplating as he returned to his own room.
Brooke followed closely, setting the tray on the table, picking up the hangover remedy, and handing it to him. “Why did you drink so much? Down this quickly or you’ll regret it in the morning.”
Sebastian sank into the sofa, taking the water gratefully. After gulping down the hangover cure, he couldn’t help but mention, “Make sure the servants bring some to Riley and the others. They drank quite a bit tonight too.”
Brooke pouted. "Take care of yourself first!"
She placed the empty bowl on the table and settled next to Sebastian on the sofa, her tone tinged with dissatisfaction. “Running off to Country D without a word. It’s a miracle you came back safe! If something had happened, what would I do? Kevin and Jeremy? Forget it. You’re my only hope.”
Brooke’s greatest pride was in raising such an exceptional son as Sebastian. Kevin was inept. Jeremy was unreliable. If anything happened to Sebastian, Brooke’s life would be utterly shattered.
Sebastian, still toweling off his hair with a resigned yet gentle smile, reassured her, “Don’t say that! Jeremy’s really starting to change, you know. He’ll make you proud soon, too.”
Brooke sighed, her voice heavy with resignation. "I hope he doesn't disappoint me."
The conversation shifted abruptly as Brooke leaned in closer to Sebastian, her tone suddenly conspiratorial. "Is that Kaleb really Patricia's biological father?"
Sebastian nodded. "Yes. He has a photo with my aunt, so it's undoubtedly true."
Brooke's curiosity persisted. "Is he really the head of Nexus Holdings Corporation?"
Sebastian nodded again. "But it's more of a ceremonial title. His nephew Maximilian is the one running things day-to-day."
A flicker of envy crossed Brooke's eyes. "Even if it's just a title, he holds the majority of the shares. Maximilian is merely a placeholder. Eventually, Nexus Holdings will belong to Patricia."
Brooke couldn't help but marvel at Patricia's fortune. 'How lucky is Patricia! Her husband is the president of the Langley Group. Her grandfather leads The Koch Group. Her father helms Nexus Holdings Corporation. These three powerhouses occupy pivotal positions globally, creating a formidable alliance. When the time comes, Patricia will inherit significant shares from these entities. That's enough to inspire envy in anyone.'
Sebastian's expression hardened as he detected the bitterness in his mother's voice, but he opted not to confront her directly.
Blissfully unaware of her son's irritation, Brooke continued her monologue. "You know, you shouldn't be trailing after Riley every day. You're cousins, not brothers. In the end, Jeremy is your real sibling. You should be looking out for him more."
It was peculiar how Sebastian and Jeremy, both sons of Brooke, spent more time with their cousins, Riley and Patricia, than with each other. Brooke often wondered who her sons were truly closest to.
Jeremy, particularly, seemed to treat Riley’s words as law, much to Brooke's dismay. Every time she saw Sebastian and Jeremy following Riley's lead without question, it irked her to no end.
Sebastian’s forehead creased even more, but he still refrained from responding.
Brooke pressed on, "Shane is biased, giving the company to Riley while you and Jeremy got nothing. If you had studied business management instead of law, at least you could have helped out with the company and balanced Riley's power. Although I hold a significant position now, being an outsider to the Koch lineage means I can't pass the company to you directly. You're so intelligent. If you'd pursued business management, your accomplishments would rival Riley's."
As Brooke's tone grew more forceful, Sebastian finally snapped. "Mom, we are family. Though Riley and I are just cousins, we've grown up together and share a bond stronger than many brothers. Grandpa has always treated us with fairness. There’s no favoritism at play. Please, let’s not talk about this any more."
Brooke seethed as he defended Riley. "I'm your mother; why do you always take the side of outsiders? I—"
Sebastian abruptly stood, his voice rising unintentionally as he insisted, "They are not outsiders; they are our closest kin. We are all family."
"You..." Brooke stammered, incensed by Sebastian's defiance.
Sebastian had no desire to continue the argument. He tossed the damp towel onto the sofa and headed for the door. "I'll take some hangover cure to Riley and the others. Think about what I just said. I don't want our family torn apart by greed and ambition. Family is more important than wealth and power."
With that, he left the room, slamming the door behind him.
Brooke was left simmering with rage. 'Raising Sebastian and Jeremy was in vain,’ she thought bitterly. ‘They never stand up for me, always siding with Riley.’
Brooke was truly furious.
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