?<strong>Chapter 129:</strong>


    Adrian spoke openly about everything, from Ned to Erick, to clear Joelle’s name. He also confessed that, in a moment of confusion, he had forced Joelle to terminate her pregnancy. Irene’s gaze softened slightly as she absorbed his words.


    “So, you framed Spencer on purpose?”


    “Yes,” Adrian replied without hesitation. “And I don’t regret it.”


    “Was this to avenge your father?”


    Adrian didn’t confirm, but neither did he deny it. Irene’s smile was tinged with sadness. “You and your mother have been biding your time for years. Is Spencer’s downfall just the beginning?”


    “Yes.”


    Irene closed her eyes, a tear escaping down her cheek. “Why does fate challenge our family so?”


    Adrian remained stoic, his expression unreadable.


    Suddenly, Irene grasped his hand, her grip so tight her body shook. “Now you’ve lost a child as well. You understand the pain! I’ve lost a son. Must I endure the loss of another? Do you really want me, on my deathbed, to suffer this agony again?”


    “Grandma.” Adrian gently disentangled his hand, his voice and face cold. “If it weren’t for Uncle Quincy, your first son would still be alive. My mother wouldn’t have suffered mental illness, and I wouldn’t have lost my father so young.”


    “How many times must I say it? It was just an ident!”


    “That was no ident,” Adrian countered firmly, his gaze piercing as it fixed on Irene’s face, causing her visible difort. “That was no ident,” he repeated, his voice slightly trembling as he struggled to maintain hisposure. “He went to the mountainous area with Uncle Quincy to deliver supplies. On State Route 318, the road copsed, and the car was destroyed. Why was my father the only one who died? Grandma, did you truly not know of any deceit, or were you just pretending to be ignorant?”


    Irene, now crying loudly from her bed, protested, “The police said it was an ident, and Quincy was seriously injured too.”


    “That was not an ident!” Adrian’s voice boomed. Joelle, who stood just outside the door, shivered. Was that roar really from Adrian? He had always shown the utmost respect for Irene. How could he now be arguing with her? Joelle wanted to intervene but hesitated at the closed door.


    Inside the room, as Adrian’s shout echoed, he quickly regained hisposure, subdued by the residual effects of alcohol and his ingrained respect for his grandmother, even if Irene had feigned ignorance all these years. “You know the truth. If you don’t feel guilty, why did you hand over Miller Group to me after my father died?”


    Irene, wracked by a heavy cough, replied, “Because you were the only one capable of managing the situation at that time.”


    Adrian looked down at her, his expression unreadable. “But all these years, Uncle Quincy has shown interest in thepany. If you wanted to pass it to him, I would have respected your decision. However, your refusal to do so suggests you know he’s at fault.”


    Irene clutched the bed sheet tightly, her voice firm. “Quincycks the acumen for business. I couldn’t risk him running thepany into the ground! If you think this means I feel guilty, then fine. From tomorrow, you can hand over thepany to Quincy!”


    “Grandma,” Adrian began with a slight smile, picking up a ss of water and some medicine from the bedside table. “That might have been a solution ten years ago. But now, no one can take Miller Group from me. Not even on yourmand could Uncle Quincy assume control.”


    Irene took several deep breaths, her eyes widening with unspoken words, but ultimately, she restrained herself. She looked at Adrian, her eldest grandson, who had grown beyond her reach, bing a force she could no longer temper.


    Over the years, her grip on thepany had loosened, with many key executives now loyal to Adrian. Though she still held some influence, it was clear that Adrian didn’t need her resources to thrive. Yet, she knew he wouldn’t let those resources fall into Quincy’s hands. The Miller family she had strived to protect was unraveling.


    She motioned for Adrian to assist her into a sitting position. Once settled against the headboard and after taking her medicine, she spoke again. “Adrian, I understand the resentment you harbor. To atone for Quincy’s errors, I’ve stayed out ofpany affairs. I even consented to your wish to have Spencer imprisoned. Aren’t these actions enough topensate for Quincy’s mistakes? I’m old, and I don’t want to lose any more family members.”


    “Grandma, I’d rather not discuss this any further,” Adrian stated, his tone icy.


    Irene was visibly upset, but she recognized that pushing the issue would not sway him. She shifted the conversation. “How do you n to exin to Joelle everything that Erick has done?”


    “I’ll do whatever it takes to make it up to her,” Adrian replied, his voice steady but his hands betraying a slight tremor.


    “Bah!” Irene scoffed, her anger palpable. “You say that, yet it was the very person you’ve shielded who conspired against your own child! I fail to understand, Adrian. You’re a clever man. Why do you believe Erick and Reba over your wife? Why have they deserved your protection all this time?”


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