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This time, he could not pass them off to Marcus. It was a crucial meeting he had to do himself, especially in their current situation.

“Do you have a minute?” His friend suddenly appeared on his doorstep, then continued inside without waiting for an invitation.

His friend did not need one since he would not bother him if he did not have a valid reason. Not when he knew he had an important client already on his way to his office.

“Just a minute, Marcus,” Alex responded, looking at his watch, which he did not have to but an old habit that was hard to forget. “What is it?”

He watched his friend pick a chair, sitting on it before his eyes focused on him. He dropped the folder in his hand and finally concentrated on him.

“I think something is going on with the board and the stockholders. One of them approached me earlier, saying that rumors were circulating about a new possible owner.” Marcus pulled out his phone and opened a news clip from the net.

.....

It was a blind item, saying something was brewing in the Hamilton Empire. Could it be a hostile takeover or a new heir? The speculations were growing, but the business industry is waiting for confirmation of what it could be.

He kept silent, thinking of the video clip he had just seen. He was expecting more stories like this would come up while Ethan was still in his critical condition.

It was still just a rumor at the moment, but this news could spread like wildfire, creating massive destruction in its wake if not contained.

“Do you think Gerald had something to do with this?” Marcus asked him, probably also thinking of the same thing as him.

Ethan had not yet announced to the world his relationship with Gerald. Only the family knew about this, not even the board. Therefore, it was either him or one of them.

But who would gain from this if the truth finally spread to the world? Gerald had already tried to gain power over the company before. Could he be doing it again now?

“It is likely, but unless we can get proof. We can never be sure.” Alex said, tapping his chin, finally standing up from his chair and slightly pulling his tie to loosen it.

It was what he was avoiding. Bad publicity could shake the company while Ethan was in his current state. It might create panic among the investors, stockholders, and the board.

But he was not afraid. It was the reason he was conducting all these meetings. He wanted to assure everyone that he had this under control.

He would not allow anyone to shake and rattle the company his father-in-law had worked hard to create for his family, especially Dani. He would safeguard this company as long as Ethan needed him.

It was Ethan’s legacy that had become his.

Suddenly his thoughts went somewhere else. But he quickly shoved it at the back of his mind. His priority was the task at his hand at the moment. His crown would have to wait for now.

“But who else knew about that. Who would benefit from this if it gets out?” Marcus questioned him, knowing that he had a point.

Alex turned to the buildings dominating outside his windows. Different business opponents who would want a piece of their success. Many would wish to take them down. But Marcus was right. Gerald could also have a personal agenda.

“I hope you are not talking about me. You two look very serious.” An unexpected guest suddenly appeared by his door and stepped inside without an invitation.

“I am sorry, Sir, but...” His secretary was about to make her excuses about the sudden interruption when he waved his hand and dismissed her.

“That is ok. I will take it from here.” Alex moved forward away from the window and faced his new guest.

He would have said speaking of the devil, but his friend already mouthed it silently in his direction. Still, this man was the enemy in his eyes.

Gerald had not managed to redeem himself since he had not done anything to prove he had no ill intention against his family anymore. Alex still believed he had to watch his back when it came to this man.

“I hope I am not bothering your busy schedule. Your secretary informed me that you are about to have a meeting with an important client in five minutes, so I will not take long.” Gerald moved closer to the middle of his office, his head turning from left to right, clearly scouting the room.

“Why don’t you sit down and join us?” Alex offered, pointing to the other available seat in his office.

As much as he did not like to entertain him, he felt he had no choice. He was now the brother of his wife. He had to show respect to a family member even if he did not believe he deserved it.

But if he found any evidence to prove that he was still scheming against Ethan, Dani, and his entire family, he would not hesitate to take matters into his hands to protect them.

“I was just at the hospital, visiting my father, and realized I might come by and offer my help.” Gerald cockily stated as he sat down on the vacant seat, crossing his legs as he got more comfortable.

“I think we are managing just fine,” Marcus answered the intrusive guest, clearly irritated with his presence. “Don’t you have enough business to handle?”

“Under the hole where you crawled out of,” Marcus whispered under his breath. It was low, but he heard it, and he was sure Gerald also did.

But Gerald did not respond but only smirked as if he was happy with the reaction he was creating. “I think my five minutes are almost up,” Gerald announced as he stood up.

“I hope you know your way out.” Marcus once again answered for him, evident that he did not welcome his presence.

“As I said if you need me in my father’s company. All you need to do is give me a holler, Alex.” Gerald addressed his statement to him, ignoring his friend but emphasizing the majority owner of this company was his father and not him.

However, he moved closer to Gerald, not about to let him say the last word in this short, unscheduled meeting. He did not like how his friend behaved around him, but he also did not like this man’s tone.

“Your father is still alive, and here you are, like a vulture circling his company. Could you not wait till he handed the reigns to you?” Alex whispered near his ears as he felt his blood boiling against this man.

He did not trust him even if a good man’s blood flowed in his veins. An evil man still raised him to be the man he was today. He might appear like a saint to everyone, but he could see through his disguise.

“Temper, temper...” Gerald taunted him as he walked away from him. “Who said I am waiting for him to die?” He spoke with a chuckle.

Then, the man did not wait for his response as he continued out of his office without looking back. He wanted to come after him, but he already saw his next appointment greeting Gerald by the door. He could not create an ugly scene.