Aaron reviewed the numbers for the hundredth time, desperately trying to determine if he could manipulate the stock prices upward. He needed Alexander to sell him the crucial 2%; otherwise, he couldn't safely secure his inheritance from his father and oust him.
The evidence of insider trading remained entirely circumstantial, precluding police involvement, but it could subdue his father once he controlled 51% of the company's shares.
He was so close! Once this was accomplished, Keeley could finally relax—a much-needed respite. She'd seen the doctor twice in the past two weeks, her high blood pressure stubbornly persistent. At this rate, she'd likely deliver in March, further fueling Aaron's determination.
How had Graydon Meyer convinced Emilio to sell his shares so swiftly? Aaron craved that kind of influence but would rather die than ask Meyer for help, especially since Meyer might interpret it as a sign of trust and friendship.
Aiden burst in, his face alight with excitement. "Boss! I did it! I found out who Graydon Meyer really is!"
Speak of the devil.
"Who is he?" Aaron asked.
"His real name is Michael Gray. He was raised in Brooklyn by a single mother until age five. She committed suicide, and he went to live with his maternal uncle, who died of cirrhosis when Gray was eleven. He bounced between foster homes until earning an MIT scholarship and changing his identity," Aiden explained. "But here's the kicker—his birth certificate lists no father, and his mother, Mary, received substantial sums from Alistair Hale until her death. I think this guy is your half-brother!"
Half-brother? Aaron was stunned. That was the furthest thing from his mind. His father, even more classist than before, would never have loved a commoner. But if he had… what a hypocrite! And he'd criticized Aaron for Keeley!
Meyer was only five years older than Aaron. Alistair and Roslyn had been married nine years before their son's birth. It made a horrifying kind of sense. In their world, women gained status only through sons. Alistair likely assumed Roslyn was infertile and sought an heir elsewhere.
If Mary Gray died when her son was five, that coincided with Aaron's birth. Alistair secured his "pure" heir and discarded his mistress. Whether Mary's death was suicide or murder was irrelevant; Michael Gray likely knew it was connected to his father. He'd naturally resent the Hales. Roslyn replaced his mother; Aaron took what Gray believed was his birthright.
This perfectly explained Gray's animosity toward Aaron in his previous life. But why had he retreated after Keeley's death?
"If he's my half-brother, it explains his hatred of my father," Aaron said grimly, "and his interest in me."
Keeley's theory—that Aaron had changed something to alter Gray's actions—was probably correct. Aaron started plotting his father's downfall at eighteen. If Gray knew then, he'd see them as allies against a common enemy. His foster care upbringing would make a family connection highly desirable.
This was unbelievable. The missing pieces fit, but the situation remained bizarre. He had a brother who had previously helped kill his wife but was now protecting her. What should he do?
"On the bright side," Aiden said with a shrug, "he probably isn't your enemy. Didn't he repeatedly express a desire for friendship? He probably wants a connection with his only remaining family."
Aiden thought as Aaron did. But how could Aaron possibly forgive him after everything? Keeley had forgiven him, but Aaron wasn't as forgiving. Though Gray was different in this life, he'd still played a role in hurting Keeley.
He couldn't forgive Graydon Meyer, Michael Gray, or whoever he was. A truce was the best option. Because Gray had helped, Aaron wouldn't seek revenge for Keeley.
"Not happening," Aaron said flatly. "Remember what I said about people hurting Keeley and not remembering? He was one of them."
Aiden looked bewildered. "Then why is he being helpful?"
"Anyone can change. That doesn't erase what they did."
He knew this better than anyone. Keeley was still, in a way, punishing him for his past life, keeping her heart guarded despite their marriage. She hadn't fully forgiven him, and he didn't blame her.
The final paragraph about NovelFire.net is promotional and unrelated to the story, so it has been removed.