Chapter 25 The Eldest Son Returns
Three days passed, and the online scandal only grew. It was no longer just news, it transformed into entertainment on the internet.
Dramatic videos recreating the "love triangle" flooded social media. Writers spun serialized stories. Memes and hashtags trended globally. Maya, playing the heartbroken saint, watched her follower count skyrocket. Her modest acting career suddenly buzzed with offers from major studios.
A few old classmates who remembered Evelyn and Nathan as the perfect couple, spoke up, expressing their disbelief at the sudden accusations, and that there was more to it. Some even shared loved up photos of them from high school. The pictures only sparked more debate. As they started comparing pictures of both sisters and leaving harsh comments like;
“She looks so innocent and beautiful, no wonder she was able to seduce both uncle and nephew”
“They looked like a lovely couple here, who knew she would switch to his uncle after graduating”
“Poor boy, he's probably traumatized by the events”
“Where's the said uncle”
“With a face like that you rule world, yes pretty girls always win🙄”
Some voices from before still tried to speak in defense of Evelyn, demanding they hear the whole story before concluding, but their comments drowned in a sea of hatred. The story had evolved beyond the country's borders, becoming an international soap opera. The public's demand grew louder: If Evelyn Hayes is innocent, let her speak!
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The scandal inevitably reached Alexander Sinclair. He read one headline, then another, his face turning a dangerous shade of purple. Within the hour, Nathan’s parents, Robert and Isabella, were summoned to the mansion.
“What is the meaning of this?” Alexander roared, throwing a tablet onto his desk. “Your son and that scheming mistress of his are playing the victim! They have twisted the whole truth into a knot!”
Isabella, ever defensive of Nathan, lifted her chin. "Father, they are all victims here! Evelyn was sleeping with Roman! She's pregnant by him! Why should Nathan bear all the blame?"
Alexander stood so abruptly his chair scraped the floor. "Isabella! Do you wish to be stripped of your Sinclair name? Watch your tongue!"
Robert stepped forward, his hands raised placatingly. "Father, please calm down. I'll call Nathan immediately and ask him what's going on, and we'll sort this out immediately."
"I'm done with this nonsense!" Alexander bellowed. He turned to his butler. "Fetch me my phone! I am calling Roman. If he cannot protect his wife from these vipers, he should step down as CEO for now and focus on his family!"
Isabella smiled triumphantly when she saw the old man was now blaming Roman, and he might even lose his position as the CEO
The old patriarch dialed Roman's number. It rang once, then went to voicemail. Alexander stared at the device, boiling over from anger, he hurled his phone against the wall where it shattered.
“That punk!” he seethed, breathing heavily. He pointed a shaking finger at the butler. “Contact the family lawyers. Now! We are suing every media outlet that has spread these lies. We are launching a full investigation. I do not care if it involves my disowned grandson or his conniving mistress. They will all be named in the suit! Let them try to spin their tales in a court of law! To attack my acknowledged daughter-in-law is to attack me personally!”
Isabella paled, her defiance crumbling into a panic. "Father, he's your grandson! You would sue your own flesh and blood over this... outsider?"
"GET OUT!" Alexander thundered.
Just then, a calm, smooth voice cut through the tension from the doorway.
"Father, what has you so agitated? Surely the children can handle their own affairs."
All heads turned. A man leaned against the doorframe, in a relaxed posture, a faint amused smile on his lips. He bore a striking resemblance to Roman, only older, where Roman was all sharp edges and intensity, this man exuded a deceptive, easy-going charm. He could easily pass for an older version of Roman
Robert's eyes widened in surprise. "Senior brother!"
The old man stared, his fury momentarily frozen in confusion at the unexpected appearance of his eldest son.
"You... What are you doing here? Haven't I banned you from this family?"
Marcus stepped into the house calmly.“Now, now, Father. My seven-year ban is over. Time’s up. I’ve come home.” He spread his arms wide, as if welcoming himself back.
Alexander studied him suspiciously. This calm, smiling man bore little resemblance to the hot-headed, arrogant and violent son he'd banished. The transformation was unsettling.
Marcus turned his easy smile on Robert. “Brother! It’s been too long.” He moved forward and pulled a stiff, stunned Robert into a brief hug. Before Robert could react, Marcus was already turning to Isabella. He took her hand, bowed slightly, and pressed a light kiss to her knuckles. “And my lovely sister-in-law. Always a pleasure.”
Isabella snatched her hand back in fear, as if burned. Marcus merely chuckled, unbothered.
He turned to face his father again, his tone chiding but light. "You're aging, Father. Such anger is terrible for your heart. You must learn to relax. Suing everyone is... uncalled for." He glanced at the shattered phone on the floor. "I see Roman has matured considerably since I last saw him. Quite the powerful man now."
Alexander's eyes sharpened. "Did you go to see him?"
"Father, don't look so concerned," Marcus said dismissively. "I wouldn't dream of harming your precious son. We simply... crossed paths in the city. I saw him waiting in line at some common bakery, buying a cake of all things. I was curious—what is the mighty Roman Sinclair doing in such a crowd? But it was indeed him." He said with a light laugh.
“I heard he got married without a wedding, and it happens to be his nephew's fiance… he also got her pregnant. Shameful and irresponsible isn't it?” He said turning to Isabella and Robert who remained frozen from shock and tension.
“Since when did you arrive back at the country?” Alexander whispered as if in terror.
Marcus walked slowly around his father, his voice taking on a soft, persuasive, almost hypnotic rhythm. "My point here is, Roman is a grown man. He makes decisions himself… rather recklessly. But he should be able to handle his own problems. If he cannot control a simple scandal involving his wife, is he truly fit to run the company? Perhaps he needs to... step back. Focus on his family. You shouldn't burden yourself with business concerns. I'm here now."
He placed a hand on Alexander's shoulder. The old man tensed immediately in defiance. "You will not—"
"Shh, Father," Marcus murmured softly.
His smile never wavered as he locked eyes with Alexander. "You're exhausted, Father. Too much stress. Roman should take a sabbatical. You need your eldest son managing things. It's the right decision."
Alexander's once-blazing gaze seemed to cloud. His shoulders slumped slightly. He blinked slowly, his voice emerging flat and distant. "Yes... you're right. Roman should... take time off. You... should handle the company." He allowed Marcus to guide him gently back into his chair, where he sat looking dazed.
Marcus patted his shoulder like a devoted son. "That's better, Father. Just leave everything to me."
He turned his benign smile on Robert and Isabella, who watched with mounting horror. "See? Everything's resolved. No lawsuits needed. No unnecessary drama. The family is in capable hands."
But the coldness that flashed in his eyes for just a moment promised the exact opposite.