Chapter 406

The call was from Aiden, urging Michael to come back to the Brown Villa.

Michael figured Aiden was going to lecture him about Isabella again, so he refused without a second thought.

But the next second, Aiden's angry roar came through the phone.

"You little punk, you think you're all grown up now, huh? How dare you keep such a big deal from me? That's a billion-dollar project in Auroria! If you mess this up, I'll break your legs!"

"Get home right now and bring the project contract with you. I need to review it personally."

Hearing it was about the company, Michael didn't dare to argue.

After all, he was just the CEO of the Brown Group, managing the company's day-to-day operations, but Aiden was still the chairman of the board.

With such a big issue at hand, Aiden had the right to know, and Michael couldn't refuse.

"Got it. I'll be there right away."

On the way back, Michael grew increasingly uneasy.

From the moment he received the contract to the moment he opened it, it had only been about ten minutes. How did Aiden find out so quickly?

If someone in the company had leaked the information, they couldn't have known the details of the contract so precisely.

He was sure he was the first person to handle that document.

Who could have tipped Aiden off and accurately guessed the amount involved?

He didn't believe it was a coincidence. If it was deliberate, who could it be?

With a sudden screech of brakes, Michael swerved the car sharply to the side, narrowly avoiding a figure that had appeared in front of him.

If he had been going any faster, he would have run them over.

He got out to check and found that the obstacle in the middle of the road was just a mannequin that looked eerily human.

This was the only road leading to the Brown Family estate.

It didn't appear earlier or later, but right when he was passing by. It seemed like someone was deliberately messing with him.

His eyes darkened as he tossed the mannequin aside.

If he had any doubts before, he was now almost certain someone was watching him, someone who not only wanted to ruin him but also wanted him dead.

In the Brown Family's grand hall, Michael walked in to find Aiden sitting on the couch, staring at him with a stern expression.

Michael knew Aiden was angry.

Angry that he hadn't informed him about such a significant matter.

Stella, hearing her son had returned, was already waiting downstairs. She took Michael's coat and said, "Michael, you're finally back. Your Grandpa has been waiting for you for a long time."

"And he seems to be in a bad mood. Be careful with what you say, okay?"

Stella whispered to her son.

Michael didn't say anything, just nodded slightly.

Stella turned to Aiden with a smile, "Dad, it's lively at home today. Michael and Nolan are both here to keep you company. I'll go ask the kitchen to prepare a few more dishes."

"Alright, go ahead."

Aiden waved her off.

"Nolan's here too?"

Michael caught the key point and couldn't help but ask.

Nolan, who usually avoided coming home, had suddenly decided to show up?

Even Michael, who wasn't the most perceptive, could sense something was up. It seemed Nolan's talk about joining the company at the café wasn't just idle chatter.

"Yes, Nolan resigned from his teaching job and came back to see me."

Aiden didn't say much, but it was clear he welcomed Nolan's return.

After all, he felt he owed Nolan a lot. He had only wanted to place Nolan in a branch office, but Nolan had left for three years abroad without a word.

Now that he was older, Aiden wanted to make amends as much as he could.

Michael didn't ask further. Since Aiden wanted to review the Auroria project, he handed over the documents.

"Grandpa, here's the contract and agreement from Auroria. Please take a look."

Aiden took the documents and slowly flipped through them, finally stopping at the last page, his brows furrowing.

"You promised me you'd secure this lucrative deal with Auroria. Look at this. How is this any different from throwing money away?"

"I can't agree to this. A billion dollars is no small amount."

"Grandpa, you misunderstood. I just noticed the discrepancies in this contract myself. Don't worry, this isn't the agreement we initially approved. I'll have it verified."

Hearing this, Aiden finally relaxed.

"That's more like it. Michael, I've entrusted the company to you. Don't let me down."

"I understand, Grandpa."

After discussing business, Aiden brought up Isabella. "I heard the Wilson Family sent you divorce papers. Is Isabella really not willing to come back to the Brown Family?"

Michael's mood instantly dropped. He no longer knew what Isabella was thinking.

He didn't know if she would ever forgive him.

"Grandpa, I don't know. She doesn't want to see me. We can't even have a conversation without arguing or saying hurtful things. We can't communicate calmly at all."

When it came to Isabella, Michael was at a loss.

No matter what he said or did, she would get angry and bring Bianca into the mix, creating a barrier between them. He didn't know how to explain things to her anymore.

"In the end, it's your own fault for not realizing Isabella's worth sooner. If you had, you wouldn't be in this situation where you can't even see her."

"I know the company is a heavy burden on you, but if you don't fight for Isabella, you'll really lose her."

After their divorce, Isabella would have no ties to the Brown Family.

With the Wilson Family's resources and background, Isabella could find someone better. Michael would be out of the picture.

Michael understood Aiden's advice, but he felt powerless.

Feelings couldn't be dictated by one person alone.

Moreover, Isabella no longer had any affection for him and wouldn't even spare him a glance.

"Grandpa, it's getting late. I'll go check on the kitchen."

Michael genuinely didn't know what else to say to Aiden and chose to avoid the topic.

Aiden didn't say anything, just sighed to himself.

At that moment, Nolan wheeled himself over and stopped in front of Aiden.

His eyes immediately noticed the contract on the table, but he didn't look at it or ask about it.

Because he already knew what was in it.

"Grandpa, what's wrong? Why are you sighing?"

Nolan asked with a concerned expression.

"Nolan, you're here."

Aiden looked up and smiled. "It's nothing. I'm just getting old and have many regrets. I was just thinking about some things."

Seeing the documents on the table, Aiden instinctively put them away.

After all, the company was now in Michael's hands, and the documents contained confidential information.

Even though they were family, it wasn't appropriate for Nolan to see the contract.