Chapter 10
Isaac, trembling with fury, felt his vision blur as he struggled to breathe. Regina clung to his arm, fears threatening to spill.
"Honey, maybe we should go and beg V Group. I'll go with you," she said. "We have to convince them to give us back our management rights, no matter what—even if it means making only a fraction of what we used to."
She knew that nearly ninety percent of the Murphy family's wealth came from their partnership with V Group. Losing that partnership meant losing their status and financial security, a thought Regina couldn't bear.
Isaac clenched his jaw and finally nodded. "Fine. We'll go together."
"If they refuse..." he said, abruptly getting to his feet, "I'll end it right there in front of them."
He pointed at his assistant, Micah Barnes. "You're coming with us. And if we don't get those rights back, you're out."
Micah, a 25-year-old distant relative, hadn't made it into any decent universities and ended up at some shady diploma mill abroad. Since graduating, he had been working for Isaac, fully aware that his limited skills made him dependent on the Murphy Group. If they sank, he'd go down with them.
Micah scrambled to gather his tablet and belongings. "Yes, Mr. Murphy," he said, rushing after Isaac and Regina.
Just as they reached the door, they ran into Zoe and Andrew. Isaac waved them off, saying, "Make yourselves at home. I've got urgent business to handle, but I'll be back soon."
After a few steps, he paused and turned back to Zoe with a reassuring smile. "Zoe, let your parents know there's been a small misunderstanding with V Group, but we'll have it sorted out soon. Nothing to worry about."
Zoe forced a smile. "Of course, Mr. Murphy."