Chapter 951

Jules led Ethan to Josh's place.

Waiting at the doorway, Josh flashed a broad,artificial grin. "You guys sure know how to keep someone waiting. I've been out here forever. What took you so long?"

Jules had previously promised Josh that he would bring both Jules and Ethan.

"So, where's Brad?" Josh asked.

Jules filled him in on the situation.

A dark storm brewed behind Josh's eyes, his smile slipping away. "You're telling me Brad picked Daniela over us? He went with an outsider? I thought he had brains, but clearly, I gave him too much credit!"

Turning toward Ethan, Josh dialed up the charm again."Knew you'd make the right call, Ethan. Stick with me,and life will get a whole lot sweeter, no more bowing and scraping. How much did you manage to walk away with from MAcCoy Group? Let's have it, and I'll put it all to good use in my company."

A number rolled off Ethan's lips. Displeasure flickered in Josh's eyes. "That's it? You can't be serious."

Ethan kept silent, swallowing the bitterness. Most of the money had already been taken by Josh,yet he had the audacity to complain.

Only through Daniela's sense of decency did Ethan hold on to anything at all. If anyone else had been in charge,he might have left empty-handed.

The thought twisted inside him. Daniela's kindness was genuine, a far cry from Josh's scheming ways. Regret gnawed at him, and the more he replayed it in his mind,the more he wished he'd thrown in his lot with her instead.

He tucked away his phone, hiding his bank balance from sight. A forced smile accompanied his words."Honestly, it's not much. To be honest, I feel a little embarrassed. Let me see if I can gather up more.Next time,I'll come back with a real sum."

He was ready to slip out when Jules caught his arm,reading the warning in Josh's eyes. "Come on, Ethan,don't say that. We're brothers, right? Josh would never judge you over something like this."

Josh's grin stretched wider, more plastic than ever."Naturally. Family means everything. It doesn't matter if it's a little less. Here, take my account number and just wire it over."

Surprise flickered on Ethan's face. "Just transfer it?That's all?"

"Of course. We're family. Do you really believe we need to waste our time on all that legal paperwork?"Josh turned to Ethan, impatience flashing in his eyes."Are you saying you don't trust me?"

A chill edged his next words. "You honestly think I'd do you dirty? Out of all the brothers, I've always looked out for you. Remember when you wanted to go abroad and nobody else would help? Who slipped you cash every month, even when the family turned their backs? I've always had your back. Why would I ever cheat you?"

.A sense of obligation had always tugged at Ethan because of the money Josh sent for his studies abroad;he was never allowed to forget it.

Refusing to let it hold him this time, Ethan drew a line.

A breath later, he bit back his nerves and spoke up."Even brothers should keep money straight. Things are different now, and this is all I have. If anything goes wrong, things could get very hard for me and my family."

Josh's eyes narrowed, his tone turning sharp. "What could go wrong, exactly? Do you really believe I'm worried about your pocket change?"

A heavy sigh followed. "So you don't trust me. Not much more to say, is there? It's just sad we've come to this as brothers."

Before the atmosphere could sour further, Jules chimed in, "Come on, Ethan. Why stir up trouble?You're just making Josh feel unappreciated. Don't forget, he's the one protecting us now."

Leaning closer, Ethan kept his voice low. "We're talking real money here. Shouldn't you think twice?Remember, most of what we had is gone, and it's because Josh got his hands on it!"

Jules shrugged, trying to reassure him. "I get it, but Josh explained everything. He wasn't out to cheat anyone. He just wanted to keep Daniela from grabbing the assets. He promised to make it right. Besides, look at the bigger picture: if Daniela has a son, she and Cedric will get everything, and we'll all be answering to her. Thanks to Josh, we each control our own shares now. Isn't that better for us?"

Suspicion lingered in Ethan's eyes."But Lara said-"

Jules waved him off. "Lara? She's still learning the ropes. We're the brothers holding this family together.Daniela's only got Hamilton's shares, that's all. Oiscoll is our ground. Stick with me, and everything here is still in our hands." While Ethan hesitated, Jules smoothly fished out his phone and transferred the funds straight to Josh before Ethan could stop him.

Shock hit Ethan like a splash of cold water."What the hell,Jules?"

Laughing, Jules slung an arm over his shoulder."Relax.You never changed your password, not once. It's done,the money's with Josh now. He'll put it to good use."

The exchange left Ethan brooding, and when his phone buzzed with a new message from Brad, a fresh wave of frustration hit.

On the screen, Brad's words read, "Dinner at my place tonight. Just the two of us."

Ethan quickly typed a reply. "Alright."