The Phantom Heiress Rising From The Shadows

Chapter 174 Can't We Just

Move On From Thisnoveldrama

Shepard swallowed his frustration, gave Ethan a curt nod, and strode out of the CEO's office.

Outside, the secretaries in the adjacent office quickly retreated to their desks and refocused on their work, avoiding any sign of curiosity. Only a younger secretary couldn't hide her concern. She was Sabine.

Her phone streamed Brenna's internal live broadcast. On the screen, Brenna remained composed, her graceful demeanor unshaken by the earlier confrontation. She continued explaining a car model component as if nothing had transpired.

Sabine wasn't truly watching the live broadcast. Instead, she strained to pick up any sounds from inside the CEO's office.

But the thick walls and closed door left her with nothing. She was particularly worried about a possible confrontation between Ethan and Ernst.

She made her way to the pantry, brewed two cups of coffee, and set off toward the office, using the delivery as an excuse to check the situation inside.

In the office, Ernst leaned back in his chair, irritation flickering in his gaze as he regarded Ethan. "Are you here to confront me, too?" he asked.

Ethan pulled out a chair and sat down across from him. He could see Ernst was already on edge, ulwiming to discuss what had happened in the auditorium. Still, he needed to understand why Ernst had acted the way he had.

"I'm not here to confront you," Ethan said evenly. "I just want to know the reason you did that. Brenna is your sister. Even if the child is hers, calling her out in public like that was unnecessary. You could have spoken to her in private about the matter. What you did isn't like you, Ernst."

Ernst let out a dry chuckle, unimpressed. “You claim you're not confronting me, yet you're already passing judgment.”

His mind was overwhelmed with questions about why Rosie had lied to him. Did she take him for a fool?

He needed answers. But he had been unable to reach her by phone. So he planned to visit her at the hospital later.

Still agitated, Ernst said to Ethan, "I get it-you're trying to defend Brenna, keep her from facing humiliation. I'll claim responsibility for what happened today. The handover will be completed soon, and I'll step away from the CEO position."

Ethan smirked slightly, recognizing that Ernst was still harboring anger toward him. "Let's focus on what's important. Did Rosie ask you to go after Brenna?" he said.

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Chapter 174 Can't We Just Move On From This

Ernst's eyes narrowed as he studied Ethan. "Are you planning to retaliate against Rosie for Brenna?" he asked.

Ethan noted the change in Ernst's demeanor, knowing he was right about this. Rosie had been behind the matter. He asked, "Did Rosie also call you? Was it Rosie who told you Brenna had brought a child to the Harper Group?"

Ernst didn't respond immediately. Instead, he scrutinized Ethan, well aware of how fiercely he protected those

he cared about. After what had happened to Brenna earlier, there was no doubt that Ethan was angry about the

matter. And knowing Ethan, Ernst believed he would likely seek revenge for Brenna.

Ernst hesitated before speaking, his tone cautious. "What exactly are you going to do? Rosie has already suffered enough. She has been cast out of the Harper family and has forfeited her shares. Now, after the car accident, she's lying in a hospital bed, badly injured. Do you really need to add to her misery? Brenna only faced some minor grievances-nothing serious. In fact, all this attention has only boosted her reputation."

Ernst looked at Ethan, irritated as he noted how fiercely Ethan was defending Brenna.

"Think about it," Ernst continued. "Brenna hasn't lost anything. You're not seriously considering going after Rosie, are you? Seeking revenge over this? Rosie has known you since she was a child. Are you really going to

be so cruel to her?"

Ethan's expression turned icy. "We've been friends for years, and I never took you for someone who can't tell right from wrong. So, just because someone's scheme failed, we should not hold them responsible and just let them off the hook? You should see the flaws in your logic."

The room was thick with tension until a soft knocking disrupted the silence. Ernst's expression eased slightly

as he said, "Come in."

Sabine stepped inside, balancing two cups of coffee. As she set them down, she discreetly observed the two men. She could see whatever they had been discussing wasn't pleasant.

As just a secretary, she knew better than to interfere. Without a word, she placed the coffee on th

turned to leave.

Ethan was a familiar visitor at the Harper Group whenever he came to see Ernst, so Sabine had long memorized how he liked his coffee.

She didn't go far after leaving the office. Pausing by the door, she lingered, ears pricked for any snippets of

conversation.

Inside, Ernst sighed, his voice laced with resignation. "Rosie is already in a pitiful state. She realizes her mistake. You really should forgive her."

Ethan's expression remained calm. But Ernst knew his friend too well. The calmer Ethan seemed, the angrier he actually was.

Ernst added, "I'll speak to Rosie about this later. There's no need for you to be involved. Brenna is fine, isn't she? I'll apologize to her properly and comfort her later. Can't we just move on from this?"

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