Chapter 37: Brothers Turn Against Each Other

The Drake Mansion, Evan's private study.

Evan slammed the tablet in his hand onto the desk. The screen displayed a breaking news article just published by The New York Times.

[Drake Group CEO Suspected of Insider Trading, SEC Investigation Underway]

The article detailed numerous suspicious trades Jonathan had made on Wall Street over the years, with solid data and concrete evidence.

"That bastard!"

Evan gritted his teeth, a malicious glint flashing in his eyes. "Does he think he's the only one who can play this game?"

"Mr. Drake, we've got it figured out."

A middle-aged man wearing gold-rimmed glasses pushed them up and lowered his voice. "All of that negative press traces back to Jonathan's people."

"I should have known! In the entire family, who else could access those confidential files besides him?"

"Mr. Drake, could it be... someone deliberately trying to create conflict?"

"Create conflict?"

Evan let out a cold laugh, a ruthless gleam flashing in his eyes. "You're too naive. Jonathan, that guy, plays the gentleman on the surface, but he's more devious than anyone."

"He's had it in for me for a long time. This time, using the media storm, he wants to crush me completely so he can grab all the family power for himself!"

The middle-aged man fell silent for a few seconds, then said quietly, "Mr. Drake, what should we do?"

"What should we do?"

Evan stood up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the gloomy sky outside the estate.

"Since he wants a fight, we'll fight to the end! Go gather all the dirt we have on Jonathan."

The middle-aged man's expression changed. "Mr. Drake, you mean..."

"That's right."

A cold smile curved Evan's lips. "He likes leaking stories? Then let him taste what it's like to be devoured by public opinion."

"Those secret accounts he has in Swiss banks, his offshore companies in the Cayman Islands, and his 'transactions' with those actresses..."

"Release everything!"

"Mr. Drake, if we do this, the family's stock price will probably..."

"What's there to fear?"

Evan cut him off. "If the stock price drops, it can rise again later. But if Jonathan gains power, neither of us will survive!"

"Yes!" The middle-aged man didn't dare hesitate any longer and left the study.

Evan sat back down on the sofa and took out a Cuban cigar from the box on the table, lighting it with a match.

He took a deep drag and exhaled a thick cloud of smoke.

"Jonathan... my dear brother."

He muttered to himself, his eyes full of cold murderous intent.

"Since you're heartless, don't blame me for being ruthless."

Meanwhile.

The Vanderbilt Mansion, in the hallway leading to the conference room.

Sophia walked in high heels, wearing a black business suit that perfectly outlined her figure.

Leo walked beside her, hands in his pockets.

"Leo."

Sophia suddenly spoke, her voice very low. "The Drake family suddenly started attacking each other internally... was that your doing?"

Leo didn't deny it, just exhaled a puff of smoke casually.

"Good guess."

"You..."

Sophia laughed softly, her eyes full of admiration. "You're really impressing me more and more."

She looked up at the conference room door and took a deep breath.

"Nervous?" Leo walked beside her and asked casually.

"A little."

Sophia didn't hide it, saying softly, "This is my first family meeting since taking power. Those people... won't accept me easily."

"What's there to fear."

Leo lit a cigar and exhaled smoke. "I'm here."

"Thank you!"

Sophia turned to look at him, a touch of tenderness flashing in her blue eyes.

"Let's go."

Leo didn't say much more, just headed toward the conference room first.

Sophia watched his back, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.

The two arrived at the conference room entrance.

The heavy oak doors slowly opened.

Around the long mahogany conference table sat the core members of the Vanderbilt family.

"Everyone, sorry to keep you waiting."

Sophia spoke casually, then sat down elegantly. "This is my first family meeting as the head of the family. The future of the Vanderbilt family needs us to plan together."

Leo casually pulled out a chair and sat not far behind her, crossing his legs and leisurely smoking his cigar.

However.

Just as she finished speaking.

"Ms. Vanderbilt."

Henry suddenly stood up, a fake smile on his face.

"My brother and I have no objection to you becoming the family head. But... shouldn't we discuss the redistribution of family interests?"

"That's right."

Charles also stood up. "Ms. Vanderbilt, although you're direct bloodline, you've been away from the family for years. My brother and I have worked hard for the family for over a decade and finally built up some assets."

"Now you come back and want to take over everything. Isn't that... a bit unfair to us?"

Several other family members chimed in.

"Yeah, we've made contributions over the years too."

"You can't just kick us out with one word, right?"

Leo stood behind Sophia, a mocking smile playing on his lips.

Interesting.

These two had previously fought for inheritance rights, wanting to strangle each other.

Now for the sake of profit, they've actually joined forces.

Human nature really can't stand the test.

Sophia's expression darkened.

She hadn't expected Henry and Charles, brothers who had been fighting each other before, to actually team up for profit.

"What are you suggesting?"

Sophia said coldly.

"It's simple."

Henry smiled. "We hope the family head will... delegate authority. Let us continue managing our respective businesses."

"And you just need to hold the title and enjoy the dividends. After all..."

He deliberately drew out his words. "You've been away from the family for so many years, you're unfamiliar with many things."

"Exactly." Charles immediately agreed. "We're doing this for the good of the family."

Sophia trembled with anger.

These two bastards wanted to sideline her!

Just then.

Bang!

A dull impact sound.

Henry was slammed onto the conference table by Leo, his face pressed against the cold surface, unable to move.

"You... what are you doing?"

Henry struggled to get up, only to find Leo's strength terrifyingly powerful.

"You talk too much."

Leo leaned down, close to Henry's ear, his voice ice-cold.

"This... this is a family meeting! If you put your hands on me, you're disrespecting the Vanderbilt family!"

Henry shouted with false bravado.

"Disrespecting?"

Leo laughed, his laugh full of disdain. "I'm not part of the Vanderbilt family to begin with. I just simply... find you annoying."

With that, Leo pressed Henry's head down hard against the table.

Thud!

Henry's forehead hit the solid wood table, blood immediately streaming down.

"Ah!"

The scream echoed through the conference hall.

Everyone was shocked by this sudden violence.

Leo let go and shook the blood off his sleeve.

"Sophia is the Vanderbilt family's leader. Her will is the family's will."

Leo looked around, his eyes full of killing intent. "Anyone who dares to disobey will end up like him."

The room fell deathly silent.

No one dared to speak.

Henry clutched his bleeding forehead, collapsed to the ground in terror.

"Get out."

Leo said casually.

Henry, as if granted amnesty, scrambled out of the conference room.

Charles was even more frightened, his face pale, head down, not daring to make a sound.

Sophia returned to the head seat and scanned the room.

"Does anyone else have objections?"

"No... no..."

"Good."

Sophia nodded with satisfaction. "Then this meeting ends here. Dismissed."

Everyone fled the room as if their lives depended on it.

In less than a minute, only Sophia and Leo remained in the huge conference room.

Sophia stood up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the estate scenery outside.

"Leo, Thomas and the others won't just give in like this. Next, they'll definitely make moves behind the scenes."

"What do you plan to do?"

Leo walked beside her, lit a cigar, and exhaled smoke.

"What to do?"

Leo turned his head, a cold murderous intent flashing in his eyes.

"I never planned to let John's sons live anyway."

Sophia was stunned, then understood.

"You mean..."

"That's right."

Leo took a deep drag on his cigar. "My target is the Drake family. And since John's sons have sided with the Drake family, they can't blame me for being ruthless."