?Chapter 1169:


    A son!


    Noah’s son!


    Another rightful heir to Wall Group!


    Until now, Malcolm and his allies had alwayscked the leverage and legitimacy needed to cause real trouble within Wall Group. Averi’s position was irond—Noah and Sadie’s only biological son, the publicly recognized heir, his status unshakable.


    Everything changed, however, with the prospect of them holding another Wall Group heir—Noah’s other son. That would tip the scales entirely.


    A turn of fortune like this was almost too perfect.


    Still, Malcolm’s reputation for cunning held true. Calctions flickered behind his eyes, caution never fully abandoned.


    A sly squint narrowed his gaze. “Mr. Howe, if memory serves, you once had a soft spot for Sadie?”


    There was no mistaking the meaning behind his question. Hadn’t Alex shown an interest in Sadie before? What game was he ying now, plotting against her?


    Hearing Malcolm’s words, Alex gripped his ss a little tighter. Obsession glimmered, sharp and unmistakable, in his stare.


    Only in the ruins of her world—when Sadie had lost Wall Group and been deserted by everyone—would Alex seize his chance.


    He yearned for the day she realized he was the only one left to lean on.


    Every flicker of emotion crossed Alex’s face in a heartbeat, but Malcolm saw it—unreturned love, warped into something darker—resentment, maybe even revenge.


    For a woman like Sadie, that was almost inevitable. What man wouldn’t want her?


    Any lingering doubts in Malcolm vanished in an instant.


    Lifting his winess, he let a smile spread over his features. “Then here’s to a sessful partnership, Mr. Howe!”


    Alex also slowly raised his ss, clinking it lightly with Malcolm’s. “To our partnership.”


    They wrapped up their phony courtesies quickly, parting ways without further dy.


    Malcolm was the first to exit the private room, a sense of quiet satisfaction on his face. A cheerful tune slipped from his lips as he walked, and just as he rounded the corner—”Ouch!”


    The collision stopped him in his tracks.


    Automatically, Malcolm stepped back and nced upward, mild surprise flickering across his features.


    Of all people, it was Sadie’s assistant, Tina, standing before him.


    A sh of difort passed over his expression. “Ms. Delgado, what brings you here?”


    It was a question Tina could have easily thrown back at him.


    One hand reached for her aching shoulder, and Tina’s brow furrowed as she shot Malcolm a wary look from head to toe.


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