Chapter 38

“Tabell Blake!” Alex suddenly called out.

Both quickly released each other, and Isabel blushed. Her brother ran over. “What are you two doing here?”

“Hey, Alex. Are you off work?” Isabel asked.

“Yeah, I was passing by and saw you both. What were you doing just now?” Alex asked innocently.

“N–nothing,” Isabel stammered.

“I see. You didn’t feel well, right? Let me carry you home?” Alex offered, moving to lift Blake.

“No, no need, really. I’m fine now. Don’t trouble yourself,” Blake smiled, embarrassed, quickly stopping him.

“Yeah, he’s fine now. Let’s just go home,” Isabel said, starting to walk ahead.

Seeing Blake following, Alex cheerfully ran to catch up. He slapped Blake on the shoulder, smiling. “Blake, if you can walk around, it means you’re really getting better!”

“Ahem!” Blake suddenly coughed several times.

Isabel quickly asked, “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine… But why is Alex’s strength so great?” Blake was genuinely surprised.

“Alex, Blake isn’t fully recovered yet. You can’t just slap him like that!” Isabel warned. Over time, she’d learned Alex was quite strong; he often didn’t realize how hard he hit.

“Sorry, Blake. I got too excited. I’m really happy for you, I won’t do it again!” Alex lowered his head apologetically.

“It’s fine, Alex, I won’t fall apart. Don’t worry!” Blake smiled reassuringly. He would never forget that when he was paralyzed, Alex had carried him everywhere, cared for him, and treated him like a true brother. How could he possibly hold it against him?

Soon, the three returned home. Hannah was holding a bucket of pig food, preparing to feed the pigs.

“Mom, let me do it,” Isabel said, walking over.

“No, I’m stronger. You and Blake should rest!” Alex stepped forward, taking the bucket from her. Hannah nodded, letting Isabel and Blake rest while Alex did the chores. She always said Alex was a tough guy and should handle things. Isabel had been raised in luxury and had never done much hard work; Blake was even less accustomed to it.

After a while, Jack came back. Hannah called out to him, but he said he didn’t need to be called for dinner and returned to his room.

“Isabel, Jack seems a bit down. I’m not sure what’s going on,” Hannah said, her voice laced with concern.

“Maybe he’s facing some difficulties at work,” Isabel responded. Jack had always worked hard. While Alex wasn’t bright, their younger siblings were still children, and their parents didn’t have much to offer. Before Isabel joined the Galvez family, Jack had taken care of everything, even giving up his dream university to support them. Looking back, it was such a shame.

Isabel knocked on Jack’s door, but he only said he was fine and going to rest. Isabel didn’t press the issue.

The next morning, Jack was gone. He hadn’t had breakfast and left without a word. Isabel decided to visit his company to find out what was happening.

“I’ll go with you,” Blake offered, having finished getting ready. He wore casual pants and a shirt, looking young and fresh, his charming face growing more handsome by the day. Isabel couldn’t help but think the Galvez family must have great food; he’d put on weight again, but he looked great.

“Your body hasn’t fully recovered yet, why would you want to come?” Isabel hesitated.

“I know you’re going to check on Jack. I’m fine now, really. I’m pretty much back to normal, and I’m bored staying at home. I’d rather go with you,” Blake insisted.

After some persuasion, Isabel agreed. They arrived at Jack’s company, Skycross Games. Jack was being berated the moment they walked in. A man pointed his finger in Jack’s face, yelling, “Jack, so what if you’re good at your job? Even if the game was designed by you, if I say it’s no good, then it’s no good. What are you going to do about it? If you’re so confident, then quit! Get out of here!”

“Mr. Lynch, I think the plan is feasible. Why won’t you approve it?” Jack pleaded, desperate to defend his work. He and his team had worked tirelessly on this game, spending sleepless nights. All their effort was being undermined by Chad Lynch, an incompetent supervisor whose position was due solely to his connections with the boss, and who couldn’t stand Jack’s talent.

“I think there’s a problem. It’s unworkable. I’m the supervisor here. I make the calls, not you,” Chad sneered, his arrogance unmistakable.

Jack clenched his fists, trying to control his anger. “What, you don’t like that! Let me tell you something, what you designed is worthless. You think you’re a genius? You’re nothing…”

Jack was about to lash out, but his colleagues quickly intervened. “Jack, he’s the boss’s nephew. We can’t afford to mess with him,” one colleague whispered, trying to restrain him. Isabel couldn’t stand seeing her brother treated this way.

“Do you want me to step in?” Blake asked calmly, his eyes fixed on the scene.

“You?” Isabel raised an eyebrow.

“What! Even though I was paralyzed before, I still have some influence. Handling this is no problem, just watch.”

Blake confidently strode towards Martin Fowler, the boss of Skycross Games. Martin was surprised to see someone from the Yates family seeking him out and hurriedly invited him in.

“May I ask who you are?” Martin had never seen Blake before.

“I’m Blake Hilary Yates.”

“Mr. Yates?” Martin’s face instantly paled with shock. He’d heard about Blake Yates in business circles—rumored to have been paralyzed for years. To see him standing there, alive and well, was a shock.

“I didn’t know Mr. Yates would come here. What can I do for you?” Martin adopted a respectful tone. Blake was from the Yates family, a name he’d definitely heard, the Yates family’s most famous young master, once president of Yates Corporation, known for decisive actions and immense skill, but who had been off the radar for years due to his paralysis.

“I’m interested in investing in your company,” Blake said calmly. Martin thought this was incredible. He’d been struggling to raise funds. An investment offer was a godsend.

“Mr. Yates, may I ask how much you plan to invest?”

“Thirty million. Is that enough?”

Martin thought he’d misheard. That was far too much to underestimate him.

“That’s more than enough!” Martin exclaimed, overjoyed. He’d been struggling to secure even a few hundred thousand, and now—30 million! No wonder this was someone from the Yates family.

“However, I do have one condition…”