Chapter 164

Chapter 164

"Besides, meddling in other people's business isn't your style at all. Why are you helping Isabella? Or do you have some hidden agenda?"

Martin looked over with probing eyes, mixed with a hint of disdain.

In his view, Isabella was now bankrupt and simply not in their league anymore.

If that was the case, they should keep their distance instead of getting all tangled up with her.

Joseph was the most steady among them. After years of being a doctor, he had long seen through life and death, and had always been indifferent to other matters. Martin didn't understand why he would help Isabella.

"How is this any of your business? Are you saying I'm meddling?"

Joseph pulled out a cigarette and lit it, took a deep drag, and looked over with a cold gaze, "I know your position in your family is awkward, but that's no reason to put others down. Besides, after all these years, you haven't secured the inheritance rights—that's your problem, it has nothing to do with anyone else."

Honestly, if it weren't for the fact that they grew up together, he really wouldn't want to deal with Martin.

Martin was the only one in their circle who hadn't secured inheritance rights, and he was being completely suppressed by his family's illegitimate son.

So every time he spoke, it was with that passive-aggressive tone.

Originally, thinking they were all friends, Joseph would let it slide.

But ever since Isabella came back, Martin had gotten worse. Every time they met, he had that same passive-aggressive attitude.

Besides, not getting the inheritance rights was a matter of personal ability and had nothing to do with others. He shouldn't be getting his sense of achievement by putting others down.

Martin, his thoughts exposed, flew into a rage, "What do you mean by that? Are you making fun of me?"

"Think whatever you want. I won't allow anyone to bully Isabella, not even you."

Just as they were about to start arguing.

Juan stepped in to smooth things over, "Alright, alright, we're all friends here. Why fight like this over a woman? Besides, their business has nothing to do with us."

If it doesn't concern you, don't get involved.

That was Juan's way of dealing with things.

Joseph suddenly felt bored. He stood up abruptly, "Fine, do whatever you want, it has nothing to do with me. I'm leaving. But I want to remind you of one thing—although Isabella has fallen on hard times, that doesn't mean she'll stay that way forever. You'd better watch yourselves."

A few years ago, Isabella was a wealthy young lady, proud and confident. Now, although she had fallen on hard times, she was still that vibrant person. One day she would surely make her own way in the world.

And there was still Michael.

If one day Isabella became Michael's wife again, they would all have to curry favor with her.

He turned and left directly.

Martin was so angry his chest heaved violently, veins bulging on his forehead. He grabbed a bottle and smashed it hard on the floor, glaring at the closed door.

"You saw that, right? He says we're all friends, but when something actually happens, he doesn't care about my dignity at all. He actually brought up the inheritance rights. As a friend, shouldn't he help? Instead, they all just stand by and watch the show."

Anger clouded his judgment as Martin smashed everything on the table.

Juan watched quietly from the side and sighed helplessly, "Your thinking is all wrong. Haven't we really helped you? Don't forget, all the partnerships you have now were given by us."

Because they grew up together, they had been helping him behind the scenes.

Of course, the reason they hadn't helped openly was because other families couldn't get involved in matters of family inheritance.

In wealthy families, there were many unwritten rules.

Like the competition for inheritance rights.

Everyone understood that inheritance rights represented a family's future and depended on real ability.

Even if Michael and the others helped with their personal connections, not only would they offend Martin's family, it could even affect the family's future.

They couldn't do this, and didn't dare to.

Never mind whether they personally wanted to or not—even their own families wouldn't allow it.

After all, an incompetent heir could destroy an entire family.

This had already been proven a few years ago.

Since then, wealthy families had become even more careful in selecting heirs.

After all, starting a business is hard, but maintaining it is even harder.

After all, every move of a wealthy family is watched by countless eyes.

Martin vented for a while longer, his eyes red with anger, "So what am I supposed to do? Although the family hasn't said it outright, it's basically decided. I'm going to lose to an illegitimate son—an illegitimate son!"

"I'm a legitimate heir, and I'm losing to that bastard. What am I supposed to do now? How can I face anyone?"

Martin wasn't unaware of the help Eric and the others had given him over the years, he just couldn't face it.

After all, with so many people helping behind the scenes, if he still couldn't secure the inheritance rights, it only proved one thing—that he was incompetent.

These days Martin had been anxious, walking the line between life and death every day.

The illegitimate son kept making moves, almost pushing him out of the company.

And the family kept reminding him again and again to take the company back.

Frustrated, Martin grabbed a bottle and started drinking.

Juan wanted to grab it away, but in the end didn't, "You could also choose to make a comeback. Even if you don't get the company inheritance rights, you're still a property owner. You have shares in the company, plus support from your grandfather, your mother, and your maternal family. Wouldn't it be good to start your own company?"

In his view, Martin didn't have what it took to be an heir, but he could train bit by bit.

They had all had it too easy growing up, never experienced any setbacks, so when fighting with the illegitimate son, they always seemed to run out of steam.

But if he started from scratch and accumulated experience bit by bit, it didn't mean there was no chance at all.

Martin sighed, "Easy for you to say. It's not that simple."

Seeing his attitude, Juan shut his mouth.

There was a reason some people lost everything. From childhood, Martin had been the one who most loved to play around. When everyone else was studying, he was still out eating, drinking, and having fun.

Perhaps the family had noticed this too, which was why they hadn't handed over the inheritance rights.

Everything had its signs.