Chapter 859

"Do you really think it's not skill i'm mussing right now?"Nikolas had lost count of how many times he d heard that line.

From the moment he started carving his own path.countless voices echoed the same judgment

He'd never bought into it.

A lifetime of being stotted into his father's plans and written off as an afterthought had wormed its way under his skin.

Who was he to believe he could do anything remarkable?

He'd spent years trailing behind his father.clinging to someone else's vision. never daring to trust his own.

But when Cedric pointed out his lack of faith in himself, he wanted to believe Cedric

The thought startled him. He didn't know where this hope had come from.

He'd never trusted anyone's words before.

And yet,right now.he desperately wanted them to be true.

His hand tightened around the edge of the project proposal,his knuckles white. Eyes rimmed red from a night without sleep. he turned to Daniela.

She met his gaze, steady and sure. "As your biggest backer. I agree with Cedric. Nikolas, you're not the person you used to be. This is your moment. Make them pay attention."

Carol didn't hesitate as she stated. "Now's the time they learn to fear you."

The words crashed through him. sharp as lightning Nikolas drew a shaky breath. "Now's the time they learn to fear me."

And with that, he burst from the room, fueled by a sudden,unstoppable resolve

Cedric settled at the dining table knife and fork in hand.poised to dig in.

A thunderous crash echoed through the villa as the front door flew open.

Nikolas burst in, breathless and willd-eyed. He jabbed a finger at the three diners, his voice ringing with raw bravado. "This is it! My moment to finally stand out!"

Before anyone could respond,he spun on his heel and charged right back out the door. The three resumed their meal,unbothered.

Carol said casually. "All this over a business deal? Is it worth getting this excited?

Daniela shot Cedric a knowing look

Cedric offered a calm smile. When someone finally finds the courage to take the first step, it gets easier to keep moving forward."

A faint smile tugged at Daniela's lips

With adrenaline pumping through him, Nikolas was ready to do something big But at the company's entrance, he saw Hamilton, whom he hadn't seen for a long time

All the momentum drained from Nikolas in an instant.The fire in his chest dimmed beneath Hamilton's cold judgmental stare

Hamilton stood with his usual smugness, amms folded,chin tilted slightly up. "So, this is your company? Is this your big leap toward independence? Go on-show me how far you've really come on your own."

He then marched straight into Nikolas' company, not bothering to wait for an answer.

"So,how many people are working here now?" he called over his shoulder, his tone dripping with challenge.

Nikolas kept close behind, answering. "We've got just over a hundred employees now.

Hamilton's laughter rang out-loud,scomful,echoing through the open workspace for everyone to hear.

"A hundred? Really?" He shot Nikolas a sidelong glance, eyebrows raised. You're acting like you've actually accomplished something. You walked away from a family business with real power just to start a company with over a hundred people? That's what you call ambition?

Without missing a beat. Hamilton kept walking, his gaze sweeping the office with clear contempt. "I figured you were running off to Daniela because she'd hand you some cushy position But all you've got is this?

Just as Nikolas opened his mouth to argue,Hamilton's gaze shifted to the staff moviing around the office."Would you look at these people? No uniforms, no sense of order. Anyone stepping in here would think it's a chaotic startup run by amateurs"

Nikolas's hands balled into fists behind his back.knuckles white. as he forced himself to swallow the anger boiling up inside him

Hamtton cast a scomful look over the room. "This is what you call a company? Pathetic. And you look exhausted. Those dark circles-don't you feel ashamed dragging our family's reputation through the mud? Next time you step outside, don't even think about calling yourself a McCoy."

That biting phrase was Hamilton's favorite weapon.hurled so often it hit with bruising force

Nikolas clenched his fists, struggling to keep his simmening anger in check

"What's the matter? You don't like what I'm saying?"Without wanting for a response. Hamilton grabbed the project proposal from the table and started thumbing through it like it was nothing "So this is what you're working on now?" Someone once begged to present thus exect project to McCoy Group, but we wouldn't waste a second on it Yet here you are, chasing after it like it's gold"

Nooles hand hovered itching to reclai the proposal.but Hamalton smacked the folder down on the table The sharp crack echoed in the room

in that mistant it was as if Hamulton hadn't just tossed the proposal aside but had haurled a bitter insuft straight at Nikolas pride