Mr. Steph John cleared his throat and raised his glass, drawing the attention of the guests.
"I'm pleased to announce that my son, Hallie, is the major force behind this successful contract. This is a clear sign of his readiness for a leadership position in my company."
The room filled with applause, but Andrew felt none of it. Instead, a sharp pain pierced his chest, as though betrayal had taken physical form. That recognition—it should have been his. He had managed the project, sacrificed sleepless nights, and carried its success on his shoulders. Yet, here stood Hallie, basking in praise that wasn't his to claim.
Anger simmered beneath Andrew's calm exterior. He stepped back quietly, taking a deep breath to steady himself. Across the room, Stephanie noticed. A smug smile curved her lips—she had been waiting for this moment.
To her, everything was unfolding perfectly.
Hallie, meanwhile, radiated pride. His laughter echoed among his friends, his joy unmistakable. To him, this wasn't just recognition—it felt like ownership.
As the gathering gradually came to an end and guests began to leave, Stephanie seized her opportunity. She approached Andrew, her expression carefully composed.
"You're just a used commodity," she said softly, her words dripping with mock sympathy. "No matter how hard you work for the Steph family, you're only a tool in the end."
Andrew clenched his jaw but remained silent.
"You'll never truly be acknowledged," she continued. "Not while your sister holds all the power."
"Will you keep quiet?" Andrew snapped, his patience breaking.
"I know the truth is hard to accept," she went on, unfazed. "Docesse only brought you into the business to secure her husband's future as chairman. You were a means to an end. Unfortunately… Henry died."
Andrew's expression hardened. "That's none of your business. I respect you, but don't cross the line."
"I'm only trying to help you," Stephanie replied smoothly. "You deserve what's rightfully yours. But instead, you choose to be your sister's lapdog. All her late husband's assets? Still in her possession."
"Really?" Andrew asked, despite himself.
"Of course. Why else would everything remain hidden? Why do you think my father keeps me out of his affairs?"
Her words lingered long after she walked away.
Later that evening, driven by doubt and curiosity, Andrew went to Docesse's house. What he found unsettled him even more.
"I believe you're not deaf, Mother," Lili said sharply. "You know exactly what I mean."
"Will you shut—" Andrew began angrily, but Docesse stopped him.
"Oh, Uncle Andrew," Lili said coldly. "Am I even supposed to respect you? Maybe you're the reason for all of this."
"Calm down, my love," Docesse pleaded gently.
"Don't call me that," Lili snapped. "You don't deserve to be my mother. A real mother wouldn't deny her daughter her father's gift… or the truth about her father."
"That's not true," Docesse said, her voice trembling. "Your father didn't give you a bracelet—"
"So Aunt Stephanie is lying?" Lili interrupted bitterly. "Or is this another one of your schemes? She told me everything. That bracelet… it's connected to Father's death."
"That's not the full story," Docesse whispered, reaching out to her.
But Lili pulled away, tears streaming down her face.
Andrew stood frozen, realization dawning on him. Stephanie hadn't just manipulated him—she had poisoned Lili against her own mother.
When Lili stormed out, silence filled the room.
Docesse broke down, tears falling freely as Andrew wrapped his arms around her.
"When will Stephanie stop?" she cried.
"I told you long ago to take Lili away from this family," Andrew said quietly.
"I couldn't," she replied. "She reminded them too much of Henry… especially Mrs. Steph Mali. I couldn't take that away from her—not when she was ill."
" You know it was because of Lili Mrs Steph Mali survived her long time illness, she could've died if I had took her away" Docesse added
" But she eventually did died " Andrew replied
" So at least she died knowing that her grand daughter is alive, you know I couldn't just bring myself to take that decision because I can't bear to see her in pain over her dead son" she replied
Andrew sighed. He knew the damage would not be easily undone.
Elsewhere, Stephanie was already plotting her next move.
With practiced charm, she approached Hallie, masking her intentions behind a warm smile.
"Our father is selfish," she told him. "He only wants to use us—to build his empire while we remain in his shadow."
Hallie listened. He believed her.
His long-standing jealousy toward his late brother, Henry, had never faded. Henry had been admired, respected—everything Hallie wasn't. Even in death, his shadow lingered.
Stephanie saw that weakness and nurtured it.
Together, they began to form an alliance—a dangerous partnership driven by ambition, resentment, and greed.
Their goal was clear:
To take control of the family's assets…
To push Andrew out of the business…
And, if necessary, to bring down their own father.
So do you think both Stephanie and Hallie alliance will get them their respective results and do you think Stephanie will eventually get what she wants...
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