Seeing Braddy so close to his father made Celestine uneasy.
There was something in the way they spoke—quiet, full of secrecy, with serious expressions that sent a chill through her veins.
She knew very well that the conversation between John and his eldest son was not just a casual talk between father and child.
Something was being arranged—a major decision, perhaps—one that could shake her own position within the family company.
With slow but steady steps, Celestine approached the large bed in the master bedroom.
John was still sitting at the edge, his body weak, his face pale after the long trip to the Middle East for business.
Braddy sat on a chair to the right, respectfully leaning forward, occasionally looking at his father with an expression that was hard to read—somewhere between concern and sympathy.
Celestine took a slow breath, then sat on the left side of the bed, facing Braddy.
She gently touched her husband’s hand.
“Have you taken your medicine?” she asked softly—her tone calm, but beneath it lay a sharp curiosity like a hidden blade.
John looked at her briefly.
“Yes,” he replied shortly.
“Braddy brought me the water earlier.”
“I see.” Celestine smiled faintly, glancing at Braddy, trying to read him.
“Thank you for helping your father.”
Braddy nodded politely.
“Of course, Mom. I’m just doing what I should.”
But behind that polite smile, Celestine caught something: a new confidence, an unusual certainty.
No longer a young man seeking validation, but someone preparing to step into a bigger world.
She tried to ease the tension.
“What were you two talking about?” she asked casually, pretending indifference, though every word from John was carefully weighed in her mind.
John looked at her for a moment.
“A few things about Dexter Enterprise. I’m considering giving Braddy a new responsibility.”
Those words made Celestine’s heart pound faster.
She hid her shock behind a thin smile.
“Oh?
Isn’t he still busy with small projects in procurement?”
“Yes,” John said slowly, “but it’s time he moves up.
I want to see if he can handle overseas clients.”
“Overseas?” Celestine repeated, her tone rising.
“Isn’t that your field, John?
You know how tough negotiations with foreign investors can be.
Braddy has never—”
“I know,” John cut in firmly.
“But he has to learn. I won’t be here forever, Celestine.”
The words struck her like a hammer.
She lowered her gaze, holding back her emotions.
She knew that ever since John’s health declined, things had begun to change.
But if that change meant Braddy taking over the company—while she and Peter were pushed aside—then it could not be allowed.
For years, Celestine had controlled the Terano Group from behind the scenes.
John might have been the public face, but Celestine was the mind that kept everything moving.
She managed the financial flows, maintained domestic client relationships, and ensured no fatal mistakes could damage the family’s image.
She knew the domestic market was far more stable and profitable compared to risky overseas ventures.
But John always saw international business as a symbol of prestige—something irreplaceable.
“John,” she said softly but coldly, “I’m just worried you’re placing too heavy a burden on someone so young. Overseas projects are risky.”
John sighed.
“I’m getting old, Celestine. I want Braddy to learn before it’s too late.”
Celestine looked at her aging, fragile husband.
Beneath that weakness, she could still see the stubbornness that once made her fall in love—and now made her resent him.
Braddy looked at his mother with confidence.
“Mom, Dad just wants me to be ready. I won’t disappoint you.”
Celestine smiled—a cold smile, like glass.
“Of course. I’m sure you’ll learn well.”
But inside, a voice whispered:
*I won’t let you replace Peter.
Never.*
In her memory, Celestine still carried an old wound.
Five years ago, Braddy had been detained by the police after a bar fight—he claimed he was defending a girl from a drunk man.
John had settled the case with money, but to Celestine, it was a disgrace.
“A boy who can’t control himself isn’t fit to lead,” she had said back then.
Since then, she had kept her distance from Braddy.
Only Peter—her younger son, calm, intelligent, and seemingly dignified—was worthy in her eyes.
Peter was the “clean” version of John: gentle, rational, and controllable.
What she refused to admit was that Peter had his own dark side.
He loved parties, wasted money on young women, and spent the family’s wealth carelessly.
Meanwhile, Braddy—though stubborn—lived simply.
His only hobbies were big motorcycles and long rides.
And now John wanted to give Braddy a major role in the company.
No.
That could not happen.
Celestine left the room with calm but firm steps.
Downstairs, her office felt cold and silent.
She opened her laptop, reviewing financial reports from Terano Group branches.
Her eyes moved quickly, searching for weaknesses—just one flaw she could use to bring Braddy down in John’s eyes.
But she couldn’t focus.
Braddy was now close to employees of Dexter Enterprise, a prestigious investment consultancy.
Celestine knew its darker side well—because she was part of it: fictitious projects, double reports, stock manipulation—all done to keep the Terano family at the top.
“If John hands control of Dexter Enterprise to Braddy…” she whispered, “Peter and I are finished.”
Meanwhile, in his own study, John looked at a family photo on the wall—taken five years ago.
Everyone was smiling, but now those smiles felt distant.
Braddy was stubborn, but he had courage and discipline.
Peter, on the other hand, was weak and easily influenced by Celestine.
John knew business couldn’t be run with a soft heart.
He needed a leader willing to take risks—and that wasn’t Peter.
So despite his declining health, John was determined to prepare Braddy to take over the company before it was too late.
That night, after Braddy went to his room, Celestine sat in the dim living room.
An antique clock ticked softly, filling the silence.
She thought about her next move.
“If John really gives Braddy a major role…” she murmured, “I’ll make sure he fails.”
She picked up her phone and scrolled through her contacts.
Her finger stopped at one name: **Christine**.
Her niece.
Her trusted ally.
The one who knew things even Peter didn’t.
Celestine typed a short message:
> “We need to talk about Peter and Dexter management. Urgently.”
The next morning, Christine arrived at Celestine’s office.
She looked exhausted.
She had just received bad news: her men had failed to locate Flora—the girl they had been targeting.
The police were starting to detect their network.
Celestine looked at her sharply.
“You know John is preparing something.”
Christine frowned.
“What is it, Aunt?”
“He wants Braddy to take control of Dexter Enterprise,” Celestine said clearly.
“I want you to find a way to stop it.”
Christine thought for a moment.
“I have people who can do that. But they need funding.”
Celestine stared at her.
“You haven’t even found Flora yet.”
“Because someone else is protecting her,” Christine replied quickly.
“My people believe it’s a debt collector group connected to her.”
That name made Celestine pause.
She didn’t yet know how far her eldest son was involved in that matter.
But if Braddy had connections there, it could be used.
“In that case,” she said finally, “use any means necessary. Make sure Braddy never succeeds in controlling Dexter Enterprise.”
Christine smiled faintly.
“I know who to contact. They’ll need vehicles and operational funds.”
Celestine stood and walked to the window, staring at the darkening sky.
“Send me your account number. I’ll transfer it tonight.”
The next day, around ten in the morning, Braddy visited Flora at her hiding place—a guest house owned by John Terano on the outskirts of the city.
He arrived wearing a leather jacket and mask, making Flora hesitate for a moment.
“Were you the one who saved me last night?” she asked carefully.
Braddy slowly removed his mask.
“Yes. And I’m the only one who knows you’re here.”
Flora exhaled in relief.
“Thank you… but I don’t know where to go.
They’re still looking for me.”
“Stay here for now,” Braddy said.
“I’ll take care of everything.”
Flora looked confused.
“Why did they kidnap me?”
Braddy paused, weighing his words.
He knew the real reason—and that his mother and Peter were involved.
But he couldn’t tell her the truth.
“Maybe because of the loan you took,” he said finally.
“I suspect they’re part of that online lending group.”
Flora closed her eyes, remembering something.
“My stepmother… she forced me to sign those documents.”
Braddy stayed silent.
He knew he had once been part of that network—before turning against it.
Now, the only way to redeem himself was to protect her.
“I’ll contact my people,” he said.
“You just think about where you want to go after this.”
Flora looked at him anxiously.
“Will they come after you too?”
Braddy met her gaze and answered quietly,
“Maybe. But let them come. This time, I won’t run.”
He stood, started his motorcycle, and disappeared into the quiet road dust.
And in the distance, two black cars belonging to Christine began to move—heading in the same direction.