The assistant shot a nce at Morris. "Looks like you lost our little wager."

    Morris, unfazed, replied, "Not just yet."

    The assistant continued, "But you''ve already been shown the door by the chairman of Vincent Corporation.

    Are you nning to hang around regardless?"

    Out of nowhere, Morris pressed a button on his wheelchair, casting a beam of light from an embedded screen

    onto the white wall opposite them. The image was initially wobbly and unclear, but it soon sharpened into

    focus—a photo of Mick kissing another man in the hazy confines of a smoke-filled underground bar, with

    others engaged in questionable antics.

    As soon as the image hit the wall, Mick, typicallyposed, lost his coolpletely. He charged at Morris,

    almost frenzied. "Turn it off, Morris!"

    "Turn it off, you scoundrel!"

    He swung his fist at Morris, but the instant he made contact, it was Mick who hit the ground first.

    Morris looked down at him, a smirk ying on his lips. "Mick, ying the victim, huh?"

    Micky curled on the floor, shaking with fear, finally grasping the true strength of his adversary.

    Gasps and murmurs of disbelief rippled through the room. "Mick, is that really you? You''re gay?"

    Jules sighed deeply, disappointment etched across his face.

    Jackson jumped in to defend Mick. "Come on, boss. Everyone''s got their personal life. As long as Mick''s doing

    his job at Vincent Corporation without a hitch, why should his private life be an issue?"

    Seizing the moment, Mick dered his loyalty. "Mr. Jules, I''ve always been faithful to Vincent Corporation.

    This isn''t something I chose; being gay is just who I am."

    Jules pondered for a moment before speaking. "Mick, given your years of dedication to Vincent Corporation

    and the fact that your personal life hasn''t affected your work, I won''t hold this against you."

    Turning to Morris, Jules''s demeanor shifted to one of stern reprimand. "Nathan, stooping to such tactics to

    tarnish Mick''s name—isn''t that a bit low?"

    Morris was momentarily speechless.

    Jules''s leniency towards Mick was far beyond anything he had ever extended to his own son.

    Yet, Morris wasn''t one to easily back down. Though he seemed meek on the outside, he was a shrewd

    strategist who wouldn''t rest until his goals were achieved.

    "Jules, your double standards are

    something to behold. Mick used vile

    methods against my dear Nathalie,

    and you dismissed it as his personal

    business, iming it wasn''t your

    ce to intervene. Now, when I

    mirror his actions, suddenly I''m the

    viin?"

    Morris leaned in, closing the space between himself and Jules. "Jules, if Mr. Lincoln knew about your double-

    dealing, do you think he''d still call you a friend?"

    A flicker of shame passed through Jules''s eyes. "He''d understand, Nathan. When you''re in a position of

    power, not every decision is yours to make. I hope you can see that."

    "I don''t," Morris retorted, his temper

    ring. "Jules, you''re willing to

    sacrifice your bond with Mr. Lincoln

    for thepany and turn a blind eye

    to someone who hurt his beloved

    daughter. Tell me, why did you give

    up your lifelong promise to Kelly

    back then?"

    Jules, never having been publicly

    called out like this, flushed with

    embarrassment and anger. "Morris,

    Kelly is your mother. How can you

    speak of her so disrespectfully? You

    ungrateful child. If Kelly were here,

    she''d regret having you."

    Morris''s face went ashen. "Yes, she did regret having me—enough to abandon mepletely and find peace

    in death."