Chapter 490

At first, Michael thought the situation with Leanne Corporation was just a small warning from the Adri Family to Nolan.

But just now, seeing Nolan apologize to Grandpa in the hospital room, Michael realized it wasn't that simple. Nolan's tone and expression were too genuine to be faked.

Michael had dealt with the Adri Family before and knew how ambitious they were. If they wanted Nolan to comply, they wouldn't back off so easily. The fact that Nolan felt so guilty about apologizing to Grandpa suggested that the Adri Family was finally showing their true colors.

However, Nolan was now on high alert. Michael's repeated questioning made Nolan suspicious, even thinking this was Michael's best chance to compete for the heir position.

But Nolan had worked hard to get what he wanted; there was no way he would let it go so easily.

"Michael, you better recognize your current status. Grandpa has entrusted the company to me. This is your last warning: stay out of things that don't concern you!"

Michael was speechless. He smirked coldly, "You weren't this nervous when you took over the Brown Group. Relax, as long as you manage the company well, no one will fight you for the president's position."

Michael glanced at Aiden's hospital room, his tone dropping a few notches. "Haven't you noticed that Grandpa hasn't considered giving the company back to me? Maybe he already acknowledges your abilities. So, focus on being the president of the Brown Group and stop thinking everyone is out to get you."

If this was the outcome Grandpa wanted, Michael was willing to let go. Before his mother told him the truth, he had indeed thought about fighting Nolan, even if it meant mutual destruction, to reclaim what was his. Back then, it was all about a man's pride.

But now, he understood Grandpa's intentions to help him win back Isabella, and the doctor's words after Grandpa's surgery. When he held Isabella's hands tightly just now, he realized something.

If he couldn't even keep the person he loved most, what was the point of holding onto the Brown Group?

"Michael, what do you mean by that?" Nolan wasn't stupid. His brother had been investigating him, so how could he suddenly give up on the Brown Group?

Michael didn't bother explaining further. He just threw out one last warning and turned to leave. "Nolan, the Brown Group is something you worked hard for too. Take good care of it, don't make me look down on you."

After settling things with Aiden, Michael went to the private hospital where Aaron was staying. In the room, only Renee was by Aaron's side.

"Aaron, you've put a lot of effort into finding evidence against Nolan, but now I want to tell you, I don't want to pursue this anymore. Let's stop."

Michael didn't avoid Renee when he told Aaron his decision, so they were both shocked. Aaron took a while to process what Michael meant.

"But why, Mr. Brown? Did something happen?" Aaron asked, bewildered. They were just one step away from bringing Nolan down and reclaiming the Brown Group. Why was Michael giving up now?

Even Renee thought Michael was joking and couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Brown, do you know what you're saying? If we stop now, all our previous efforts will be wasted."

Michael nodded seriously but remained firm. "I know."

"But..." Aaron started, but Renee stopped him with a slight shake of her head and a glance at the room across the hall. Aaron quickly understood her meaning and swallowed his questions.

He knew Michael's character better than anyone. Once Michael made a decision, no one could change his mind. But he wasn't the only one confused; someone else was too.

Isabella, who had come to visit Aaron at the same time as Michael, had hidden in the next room when she saw Michael. She couldn't believe what she overheard in just a few minutes.

What was Michael thinking? Isabella wanted to rush over and confront him. She had stayed up all night finding evidence to clear his name. Now, just one step away from exposing Nolan, he wanted to stop?

That was the Brown Group, the company he had managed for three years. How could he just give it up? Didn't he realize that not fighting now meant handing the entire Brown Group to Nolan, leaving no place for himself in the future?

Just as Isabella was about to storm out, she heard Michael's voice again from the next room. "It's not that big a deal. I just figured if Nolan wants the Brown Group so badly, he can have it. Fighting over it isn't worth it."

Isabella was almost suffocated by Michael's nonchalant attitude. Aaron couldn't stand it either. "Mr. Brown, have you forgotten you're the rightful heir to the Brown Group, not Nolan? And have you forgotten what he did to you to take it? How can you forgive him so easily? And what about the company? Are you just going to give it up?" Aaron was baffled.

What had happened overnight to make Michael change so drastically?

"The company is in Nolan's hands. Let him manage it," Michael said with casual finality, like he'd made peace with the decision.

"Honestly, there are other things I'd rather do than run the company. Besides, we both know what Nolan's capable of. He already led the Brown Group to success before. The company will be fine with him in charge. Even Grandpa trusts him. Why should I get in the way?"

What a way to put it. Isabella bit her lip in frustration. They were all part of the Brown Family, sharing the same blood. So Michael could let go of these grudges easily.

But what about her? All her efforts to help him would be wasted. Michael didn't even know what she had done for him.

It made her realize she needed to stop getting involved in matters that didn't concern her, to avoid bringing unnecessary trouble on herself.