Chapter 231: You’re sorely mistaken
"Dude, you’re here?" Karl remarked, approaching Roderick with a glass of whiskey in hand. His tone carried both surprise and curiosity as he sank into the lounge chair beside him. "Weren’t you supposed to be at your grandfather’s birthday party?"
Roderick leaned back as he took slow sips of the alcohol from the glass he was holding. "Don’t start, Karl. I’m not in the mood for small talk."
Karl raised an eyebrow but said nothing further, sensing the tension.
Moments later, Maxwell strolled over, his phone still in hand, the glow from its screen lighting up his face. He stopped in his tracks before plopping down into the chair opposite Roderick.
"What the hell is going on, man?" Maxwell began, his voice incredulous. "I just saw the news—your aunt is the new chairwoman of the De Salvo Group? I thought you were next in line for that! Did your grandfather actually cut you out?" He chuckled, though his humor was poorly timed. "Damn, man. That’s gotta sting."
Roderick’s head snapped up, his dark eyes burning with barely contained rage. "Shut your fucking mouth, Maxwell," he growled, each word sharp and deliberate.
Maxwell raised his hands defensively, the smirk wiped from his face. "Alright, alright. No need to bite my head off."
Karl exchanged a wary glance with Maxwell but said nothing further, sensing that pushing Roderick would only worsen his simmering anger.
"I think I’ve seen your aunt before," Maxwell said, his gaze fixed on the glowing screen of his phone. "Wait a second! Isn’t she the one who went to our college? And hold on—isn’t that the same woman you used to date? And two timed with her with her younger sister?" He smirked, leaning back casually. "She’s damn hot. Turns out why your uncle married her. Why the hell did you even cheat on her?" He chuckled, clearly amused by his own question.