?<strong>Chapter 549:</strong>


    Brook responded with a nonchnt “yes” and absentmindedly added, “And not only that, I heard he had been pretending to be disabled; his legs are actually fine.”


    “What? Pretending to be disabled? Why would he do that?” Debora eximed, then eyed Brook suspiciously. “How do you know this?”


    Brook answered coolly, “I was at Grandpa’s gathering yesterday. That’s where I heard it.”


    “Why were you allowed to go?” Debora demanded indignantly.


    That gathering wasn’t just any event; typically, only select members of the Owen n, like Jayden, who was once seen as the prospective family head, could attend.


    Debora could understand why Jayden had been invited in the past. His excellence before that car ident was undeniable, but why was Brook there?


    Debora’s irritation was palpable, though it seemed to have no effect on Brook.


    Brook, showing no interest in justifying his attendance to Debora, set down the document he was holding, looked at her, and posed a question, “Now that Jayden is effectively out of the race, are you still aiming higher?”


    Confused by his implication, Debora retorted, “What are you suggesting? That while advising me to step back, you n to climb up yourself?”


    Brook scoffed dismissively, “I wouldn’t be so foolish.”


    He stood, adding, “I’m merely pointing out that with Jayden gone, the sessor’s spot is truly up for grabs. If you’re serious about vying for it, you’ll need to curry favor with Grandpa.”


    Debora considered his words and sensed an inconsistency. “Aren’t you interested in the position?”


    She vividly recalled how Brook had always been like a loyal servant to their grandpa, never acting without his direction.


    “Me? I’ve been feeling a bit worn outtely. I’ll take a short break before I get back in the game,” Brook said, though his tone carried little conviction.


    “Alright, it’s time for you to go. I have a lunch meeting soon,” Brook said, ushering Debora out of the office before heading to the garage himself.


    Once in his car, Brook dialed Jayden’s number.


    Jayden, who was getting ready to take Elyse out to dinner, was caught off guard by the call and quickly asked, “Why are you calling?”


    Brook lightened the mood with a joke. “Can’t I, as your cousin, invite you out for a meal?”


    Jayden, puzzled, responded, “You do know I’ve been ousted from the Owen n, right?”


    “I’m aware,” Brook acknowledged. “Let’s meet up. It’s on me.”


    Jayden looked over at Elyse and queried, “Do you want to join Brook for dinner?”


    Elyse returned the question, “You don’t mind if Ie along?”


    After a moment’s consideration, Jayden replied, “A little, but it’s fine by me.”


    With a roll of her eyes, Elyse dered, “Then I’m definitely going.”


    Jayden chuckled, then ryed the restaurant details to Brook. The trio made their way to the restaurant.


    Upon their arrival, Brook observed Jayden attentively helping Elyse out of the car. Once they were seated, Brook paused thoughtfully before asking, “Elyse, are you pregnant? How far along are you?”


    Elyse, surprised by Brook’s straightforward approach—the first of its kind she’d witnessed—answered, “Two months. There’s no bump yet, but the morning sickness has been tough.”


    Understanding her condition, Brook took special care in ordering dishes that would be gentle on her stomach.


    While waiting for their meal, Jayden took the initiative to ask, “What’s the asion for this meal?”


    “To celebrate your departure from the inheritance lineup. Shouldn’t I buy you dinner?” Brook shifted his attention from Elyse, picked up the teapot from the table, and poured himself a cup of tea.


    He added nonchntly, “With you out of the picture, things are quite pleasant for me.”


    Jayden, unfazed by thement, responded, “In that case, you definitely owe me a meal.”


    As Brook nibbled on some appetizer, he probed, “Why did you pretend to be crippled? Don’t tell me it was to clear the path for me. I don’t need your sympathy.”


    Elyse, listening in, was taken aback. Brook was the only Owen to directly question Jayden about his ruse. Even Jayden’s own parents hadn’t inquired, yet Brook, who had always shown the least regard for Jayden, was the one to ask.


    Jayden raised an eyebrow and replied, “Knowing too much isn’t always beneficial.”


    Undeterred and continuing to snack on the appetizer, Brook challenged, “I don’t mind it. You’re no longer tied to the Owen n; what do you have to lose by telling me?”


    Jayden leaned back, fixing his gaze on Brook. After a moment of contemtion, he revealed, “There’s nothing extraordinary about it. Pretending to be crippled was a strategy to appear vulnerable and draw out hidden adversaries.”


    .


    .


    .