Chapter 101

Brian finished speaking, unwilling to argue further. Guinevere and Tony were left stunned.

Back home, Guinevere sought William's advice. Hearing her account, William felt his head spin. "How could this happen? Everything was going smoothly," he exclaimed. "Why does the Oceania Group specifically want Samuel? This is bizarre. Could that label contract actually be legitimate?" He considered the possibility.

Guinevere cried, "Dad, what do we do? If the partnership falls through, Grandma will kill me! Do we really have to beg them?" She finally grasped the situation's gravity. Her earlier triumph now fueled intense anxiety. Sophia valued profit above all else; securing the Oceania Group partnership was the dream of countless companies. If she failed, Sophia wouldn't forgive her.

"Then I'll swallow my pride," William declared, recognizing he had no choice. He had to plead with Samuel.

At the Golden Villa, Samuel and Hannah strolled their lawn after morning exercise. "I never felt this way working on the farm," Hannah sighed. "Now I'm not working, everything aches. I understand why city folks exercise."

"It feels good to clear your mind with you," Samuel agreed.

"Don't worry about the company," Hannah reassured him. "If you can't go back, that's fine. Our life is good. No need to fight."

But Samuel remained worried. His phone rang. "It's William," he said, pausing before answering.

"Samuel, where are you?" William asked.

"At home," Samuel replied.

"Samuel, come back to the company! We need you. You can handle the Oceania Group partnership; we'll step aside," William urged.

Samuel was perplexed. "Why?" he questioned. Yesterday, William's family had been so adamant at the Galvez residence. This sudden change felt strange.

"Samuel, we're family," William explained. "It doesn't matter who's in charge. You're my most respected older brother. Since you're general manager, I won't compete. Yesterday was my fault. I spent the night thinking. Our family should stick together."

Samuel mused, "When has William ever been so considerate?"

"Dad, don't go," Isabel suddenly interjected.

Samuel, almost swayed by William, refused upon hearing Isabel. "William, since Mom told me to rest, I will."

"You're right, we should stick together," William conceded. "You secured the partnership, so you should handle it. As your brother, I won't compete."

"No, Samuel, please!" William pleaded, frantic.

"Gotta go. I need to walk with Hannah," Samuel said, hanging up.

William was bewildered.

"Dad, what did Samuel say?" Guinevere asked anxiously.

"I didn't expect him to be so cunning," William replied. "I kindly invited him back, and he refused."

"It must be Isabel's doing," Guinevere said through gritted teeth. "She must have manipulated the Oceania Group to only recognize her contract."

"What can we do?" Fiona asked.

"Samuel won't return easily. We'll have to go to Sophia," William replied.

"Why did William suddenly call and ask me back?" Samuel asked Isabel.

"Because their contract is invalid. Mine's the real one. The Oceania Group only recognizes ours. They're begging us to return; otherwise, he can't explain to Grandma," Isabel explained.

Samuel finally understood. "So that's why William suddenly became so nice. His humility was fake."

"Dad, since they want to compete, we can't go back easily," Isabel said.

"Got it. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing," Samuel replied.

Back at the Galvez residence, Sophia's fury erupted upon hearing the news. She slapped Guinevere, calling her an idiot. She even raised her cane.

Fiona shielded Guinevere, but Sophia struck her instead. Fiona screamed in pain. Sophia, still enraged, continued her assault until William intervened, pleading with her to stop. She ultimately struck all three. Exhausted, she pointed at William's family, exclaiming, "You good-for-nothings! Isabel's contract is real! How could I have believed you?"

Hugh sighed, "William, you're blind. Now what? Samuel might be really upset. We didn't believe their contract was real. What do we do now?"

William glared at Hugh, sensing his gloating. He hadn't expected this. Securing the Oceania Group partnership was paramount.

"Mom, I was wrong. I begged Samuel, but he won't come back. He's still mad. You have to step in," William said.

Sophia was furious. Begging after stripping him of power? Humiliating! But the Oceania Group opportunity swayed her. "Fine," she conceded.

At noon, Isabel lunched with her parents. Alex, Jack, and Roy were at work; Simon was busy with high school. Isabel spent the most time with her parents.

After lunch, Sophia called.

Samuel glanced at Isabel. "It's your grandmother. It's about Oceania Group."

"Answer it, but Dad, don't agree easily. Unless Grandma offers something in return," Isabel cautioned.

"Okay," Samuel replied.

Sophia's voice was affectionate. "Samuel, have you had lunch?"

"Yes, Mom. What is it?" Samuel replied.

Sophia, perceptive, went straight to the point. "Samuel, I was wrong yesterday. I didn't believe Isabel's..."