The Victorious Emerging Son In-Law

PTE

nd before Josh could tell what was happening

y Josh to his feet, letting him lean heavily

cooed, gingerly touching the rapidly swelling bruis

grily. "That evil man will not get away with this, mark my words!" she sp

mother. "But...Lydia..." he

sister? What about her? Josh, look at you

incing in pain. "She'll...be furi

k, Lydia would likely be enraged if they dragged her prominent company

Then we won't involve the police. But this isn't over betwee

helping a battered and bruised Josh into t

ed, eyes darting between Josh's swoll

. She quickly recounted the violent altercation with Bruce to her

When I get my hands on him I'll..." She trailed off with a huff.

at the mention of a meetin

e in the car window. "They're the largest company in the s

he entire company too," Ellen said eagerly. "If

Blescon for years to no avail. But becoming a major shareholder in somethin

d power already dancing through her mind thanks to her ambitious daught

he rage still simmering in his veins. His knuckles throbbed where they had connected with Josh's face. It had felt so satis

corner cafe, hoping for a reprieve fr

get started for you?"

ease." Bruce sank wearil

ough day, friend? On the house."

t as he gazed into the coffe

iversity grounds. "Come on, spill. What grand plan

going to change the world, Bruce! My family

the little dreams? Late night picnics under the

d more, once I've made my mark. You'l

to her bright eyes. "Without a d

on and tenacious spirit. She often told him she admired his calm steadiness

as a stepping stone - someone convenient to support her financially and help manage

y moonlighting doing Lydia's family company books off the record. Skipping dinners out so they could put that money toward

ladly thinking it was for their shared f

but grow her small store into a thriving national chain within a few short years. By 30 she was already turning eno

on-dollar mercy acquisitions across the globe while he lived month to month crunching numbers. She never discuss

the great Lydia Nicholson's empire. Each year dragged them further and further apart until he was scarcely allowed to

usly at the sudden violence. He scrubbed a hand over his weary eyes. God, when had i

h's smug entitlement and Ellen's disgust as they looked down on him, Bruce almost wished he had given in to violence again. A

ith a glossy magazine look and private yachts probably cost more than Bruce's whole retirement savings

. A well-connected man who was nearly as shrewd in business and twice as loaded as Lydia herself. W

to potentially take over far bigger ventures. Like that Blescon Group, her mother had mentioned, a mega-corporation worth over 800 billion. Bruce shook

coon obsessed with status and influence. And Bruce refused to debase himself any longer for table scraps

her. Missed the Lydia from all those years ago who used to impulsively slow dance with him in their cramped a

h morning before rising fueled him through

apers in his face may as well have been a cold,

r years and finally shattered beyond all salvation. He had humiliated himself on her behalf for the last time. Ther

returning to grab his things from the mansion he used to call home, though the thought of seeing Lydia or he