Chapter 856 Show Sincerity

Chapter 856 Show Sincerity

Aaron's name only hardened Isabella's disbelief.

Aaron had always been loyal to Michael, almost to the point of blind obedience. Just a few days ago, he had helped Michael hide the truth about his illness. Isabella knew exactly what instructions Michael must have given him. If she hadn't bluffed it out of Aaron, she would still be in the dark.

Her jaw tightened at the memory. "You have the nerve to bring up Aaron? He covered for you about your illness. I haven't even confronted him about that yet."

Not that she would ever truly be angry with Aaron. The root of the problem was Michael, not him. Aaron had only been following orders. And with Renee running herself ragged at the company lately—and Aaron being her husband—Isabella couldn't bring herself to hold it against him. For Renee's sake, she would let it go.

"This was on me," Michael said without hesitation. His voice was low, steady. "I didn't want you to worry, so I told him to keep it from you. It won't happen again."

He caught her hand, his grip warm and firm. "Bella, when I give you my word, I keep it."

Isabella was too exhausted to argue. She knew his promise was sincere, and tonight she had no energy left to pick apart the details.

The car rolled through the gates of the Wilson Villa. Her uncles were already back, waiting in the main hall.  

With Michelle in her arms, Isabella stepped inside—and froze. The room was full, every seat taken. Her stomach tightened. She knew this setup.  

She thought, 'God, don't tell me Atticus and the others are planning another "talk" with Michael. They've done it before.'

She glanced toward Olivia for answers. Olivia, sitting beside Atticus, coughed lightly and quickly looked away, refusing to meet her eyes.  

Isabella's eyes widened. So much for loyalty. She had practically engineered Olivia and Atticus's relationship, pushing them past their awkward phase. And now, after all that, Olivia was abandoning her to the wolves.

With no choice, Isabella passed Michelle to Cinda and walked toward the center of the room. Michael followed, and they took a seat on the sofa, facing the silent, watchful crowd.

The air felt wrong. Too heavy. Too expectant.

Finally, unable to bear it, Isabella broke the silence. "Atticus, what's going on? Why so serious?"

Before Atticus could answer, Michael suddenly rose to his feet. Isabella's head snapped toward him.

"What are you doing?" she hissed, tugging at his sleeve. "Sit down."

She knew her uncles. If Michael just sat there, took the criticism, and showed genuine remorse at the end, they'd let it go. But if he challenged Atticus while he was still simmering… that would be a disaster.

Now, watching Atticus's sharp gaze lock onto Michael, she understood. This was about the kidnapping.  

Even though she and Michelle had come out of it unharmed, the memory had left a deep mark on Atticus. She could still picture his face when she stepped out of the police car that day—relief, yes, but edged with fury. If she hadn't been standing there safe and whole, she had no doubt he would have gone for Michael's throat on the spot.

For the past month, she had tried to convince them it wasn't Michael's fault. But her uncles had never really listened. They would change the subject, tell her to rest, and avoid the conversation entirely. She had assumed they'd decided to let it go.

Clearly, they'd just been waiting for the right moment.

Michael gave her hand a reassuring pat before turning to face the Wilson brothers. 

His voice was calm, but every word carried weight. "I know what's on your minds. And I want you to know—when I make a promise, I keep it. I will take full responsibility for what's mine to bear, and I won't run from it."

The five brothers exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable. None of them spoke, but the message was clear: prove it.

Only Isabella sat there, utterly lost. What promise? What responsibility? She had no idea what was going on.

Atticus finally broke the silence. "If you already know what needs to be done, then show us your sincerity."

Kian leaned back in his chair, one brow arched. "Exactly. Some things can't be smoothed over with words. It's been a month. Even the stillest water should have stirred by now."

The other three brothers stayed quiet, letting Atticus and Kian steer the exchange.

Isabella's confusion deepened. "Atticus, Kian—what are you even talking about? What sincerity? I don't understand."

Atticus's gaze slid toward Michael. "You didn't tell her?"

Michael shook his head. "This is my responsibility. Isabella has already been through enough because of my mistake. I won't make her carry the weight of it."

Her pulse spiked. She knew it—this was about the kidnapping.

Michael continued, his tone firm. "When it comes to Isabella and Michelle's safety, I've handpicked a few trusted men from the Brown Family's security team. They'll be with them whenever they're out, making sure they're protected."

He paused, then looked down at her, his expression turning even more serious. "And there's something else. Isabella, do you remember the share transfer agreement I showed you?"

Her breath caught. Of course she remembered.

"I still want you to sign it," he said. "With the combined strength of the Brown Family and the Wilson Family behind you, no one in Evergreen City would dare touch you."

For the first time that night, a flicker of surprise crossed Atticus's face. He knew about that contract. It transferred forty-five percent of the Brown Group's shares to Isabella, while leaving Michael as the company's legal head.

In other words, she would take all the profits, while he shouldered all the responsibility.