Chapter 599

"You know Fay that well?" Rupert stared out the car window, his chiseled profile colder and more distant than ever.

"Yeah. We went to high school together. Known her for years," Reese replied.

"Then you should know she's not exactly a genius. Naomi showing up today- what do you think that was about?"

Rupert's voice was soft, but it landed heavy on Reese's heart.

Her throat tightened. A name almost slipped out, but she swallowed it back.

Kay.

Rupert narrowed his eyes at her, his tone icy. "I don't care how she meddles in the Sanford family's business, but from now on, she better remember who she is and stay out of Garcia family matters."

Reese's face paled. She was about to mumble an answer, but caught a glimpse of Rupert twisting his wedding band on his finger.

It hit her-ever since he started wearing that ring, he'd fidget with it when he was tense.

She swallowed her words and just nodded.

Silence fell over the car again, until Rupert's phone rang.

He answered, his expression shifting as he glanced at Orson. "Drive to the hospital."

Reese's nerves spiked. "Mr. Rupert, what happened?"

Rupert's brow furrowed. "My father's been admitted."

***

Hospital.

When Tristan woke up, Rupert was sitting at his bedside, peeling an apple with precise, practiced hands.

"Should I call a doctor?" Rupert asked, eyes still on the apple.

Tristan waved him off, then looked to the butler at the end of the bed.

The butler grabbed the remote and adjusted the bed until Tristan looked comfortable.

Once settled, Tristan glanced at Rupert. "What's your take on what happened today?"

Rupert barely looked up. "What do you mean?"

"Don't play dumb with me. You can see right through Kay, can't you? That's why you didn't let Edwin handle the last deal-you knew what she was up to. You didn't want him tangled up with her again." s

Rupert didn't deny it. "Yeah."

He went back to slicing the apple, unfazed.

Tristan frowned, annoyed at Rupert's nonchalance. Even half-reclined in a

hospital bed, the old man's authority filled the room.

"Rupert, this family will be yours one day. But until then, you need to handle things

cleanly, or there'll always be trouble waiting for you."

Rupert paused, his knife hovering, eyes dark as he met Tristan's stern gaze.

"So what's your threat this time?"

Tristan's face flushed. He clutched his chest, grimacing. “You trying to give me a heart attack?"

Rupert merely twirled the paring knife in his hand, cool as ever. "Enough with the games. Just say what you mean."

Tristan glared at the glinting blade,

his breath catching, anger in his clenched fist. "What's with that attitude? Am I wrong? Naomi and

Kay there's he comparison Edwin's wasting his potential, while Kay's running Winslet Group, holding all the cards, and she still thinks about him? That's nostalgia, plain and simple. If it weren't for Naomi, do you think they'd have split?" s

"Him with Kay, you married to Reese-that's the only way this all works out."

"Rupert, your mother was the love of my life. You're our only son. Would I ever steer you wrong?"

At the mention of his mother, Rupert's eyes flashed with a cold, sharp light.

"Edwin and Kay broke up because of Naomi? Is that the truth?"

"All these years, Edwin's chosen to stay on the edge of the Garcia family instead

of getting involved. Is it really because he lacks ambition?"

Tristan met Rupert's gaze, and for moment, the tension in the room was palpable. Just a few words, and Rüpert felt the weight of it pressing down on him. s