Chapter 256: Ethan Linden’s Good Brother
Nathan Fawcett wasn’t in a rush for the money anyway. He just wanted to watch Ryan Linden try to put on a brave face.
Ryan Linden stared at Nathan Fawcett. Though his expression was resolute, he was cursing Nathan a hundred times over in his head.
In the past, even if he’d misappropriated funds, the worst he’d get was a scolding from the Old Master, and that would be the end of it.
But ever since Nathan Fawcett took over, he could no longer dip into the company’s funds whenever he pleased.
’The company wasn’t even short on cash, so what was the big deal if he used some of it?’
’We’re all family. Why does he have to police me for spending a little money? What a pain!’
Ryan Linden stewed in silence.
Nathan Fawcett said, "Everyone’s here to witness this. I trust you won’t try to back out of it then, will you, Second Brother?"
Nathan Fawcett exuded an aggressive aura.
He seemed polite on the surface, but his presence was suffocating.
Ryan Linden glared at Nathan Fawcett, his expression turning grim.
After a moment, he said, "I suppose we’re done talking about my issue. I, on the other hand, have a question for the Family Head."
Nathan Fawcett said, "And what’s that?"
Ryan Linden said, "I heard you brought Ian’s mother back? Is it true?"
"..." Nathan Fawcett fell silent for a moment before nodding. "Yes."
He planned to be with Anne Sutton, so they were bound to find out eventually. Nathan saw no reason to deny it.
Ryan Linden said with feigned curiosity, "I’m rather curious. When exactly did the Head of the Linden Family have a child with the daughter-in-law of the Fawcett Family of Westhaven? When did you ever go to Westhaven? How is it that I never knew?"
The thought that Ethan would now be constantly targeting him made Ryan want nothing more than to drive him out.
Anne Sutton’s arrival had given him the perfect opportunity.
At Ryan Linden’s words, all eyes turned to Nathan Fawcett. "We’ve heard the rumors as well," someone said.
The man sitting beside Nathan Fawcett spoke up. "This is Ethan’s private business. He’s a grown man; he has the right to see whomever he wants. You’re all being too meddlesome."
Ryan Linden countered, "It’s his private business, sure, but the rumors out there are saying that Ethan Linden isn’t really Ethan Linden, but Nathan Fawcett! President Linden, don’t you think you owe us an explanation?"
"That’s ridiculous!" the long-haired man beside Nathan sneered. "I’ve been like a brother to Ethan for years. You think I wouldn’t know who he is?"
The speaker was Caleb Summers, a close friend of Ethan Linden’s for many years. He was also the Vice President of the Linden Conglomerate and Ethan’s most capable right-hand man.
Aside from the Linden Family, several other prominent families held shares in the Linden Conglomerate. As the future heir to the Summers Family, Caleb Summers naturally had a right to be heard.
Caleb Summers stared at Ryan Linden. "Ryan, you’re the one who made a mistake and misappropriated company funds, so you should focus on dealing with that. Don’t come here trying to make trouble for Ethan! If you want to give him a hard time, you’ll have to get through me first."
Rebuked, Ryan Linden’s face flushed with embarrassment. "I just want to get to the bottom of this," he said. "The Family Head brought that Mrs. Fawcett here. That’s not normal, is it? Don’t you want to know what her relationship is with our Family Head, Mr. Caleb?"
Caleb Summers glanced at Nathan Fawcett, falling silent for a moment.
Just then, Nathan Fawcett’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and saw a message from Anne Sutton saying they had arrived.
Only then did he remember his plans to go to the movies with Anne Sutton today.
Caleb Summers asked, "What is it? Do you have to be somewhere?"
Nathan Fawcett said, "Let’s adjourn the meeting here."
Ryan Linden protested, "But you haven’t explained about that woman yet."
"Explain what?" Caleb Summers immediately shot back. "Stay out of Ethan’s business! You don’t have the right to meddle, understand?"
Although Ethan addressed him as "Second Brother," Caleb Summers had never held the man in high regard.
After all, Ryan Linden was only a distant relative of Ethan’s.
It was only because the Old Master was soft-hearted and couldn’t bear to see his relatives suffer that he helped them out whenever he could.
Which only made them push their luck.
Once they were out of the conference room, Caleb Summers asked, "I didn’t ask back there, but what’s the deal with that woman? Did you really bring her back?"
Nathan Fawcett replied, "Didn’t you just say it yourself? It’s my private business."
"It is your private business, yes. But I’m your brother, and I’m asking as your brother." Caleb Summers blocked his path. "Ethan—no, I should be calling you Nathan!"
Hearing this, Nathan Fawcett froze, staring at Caleb Summers.
’What did he just call me?’
Caleb Summers smirked. "You must be wondering when I figured it out, right?"
Nathan Fawcett watched Caleb Summers. All these years, Caleb had treated him as Ethan Linden, and Nathan had never been honest with him.
Ethan’s circle of friends all came from good backgrounds and high social standing. Offending any one of them would be a loss, so he had always maintained his identity as Ethan. He never expected Caleb to have already figured it out!
Caleb Summers said, "I grew up with Ethan. You’ve tried hard to imitate him, but there are still differences. Ethan was genuinely good-natured. You’re not. You’re just putting on an act."
Nathan Fawcett’s eyes narrowed. "What now? You know my secret. Are you going to tell them?"
If that was the case, he would have no choice but to turn on Caleb Summers.
Caleb Summers gave a wry smile. "What good would it do me to tell them? Ethan is gone. To be honest, he was too soft-natured and wasn’t suited to inherit the Linden Family. He always let those relatives bully him, and he never seemed to mind. Your personality is a much better fit for the position you’re in today."
Nathan Fawcett hadn’t expected such a vote of confidence. "Thank you."
He had been treading on eggshells lately, constantly afraid that one careless slip would ruin everything.
Seeing that Caleb Summers was on his side, Nathan Fawcett breathed a sigh of relief.
Caleb Summers said, "Since we’re brothers, why are you still keeping secrets from me about this?"
"Since you know I’m Nathan Fawcett, you should know why I brought her back."
"I don’t know," Caleb said forcefully. "After all these years with the Linden Family, aren’t you satisfied with what you have? Why bring her back? Do you have any idea what would have happened if I hadn’t backed you up today? They would have dug until they found the truth! I’ve looked into your past with the Fawcett Family, too. I heard that woman was just someone your father found to bear you an heir. She’s just a woman. Why are you so fixated on being with her? It’s causing so much unnecessary trouble!"
"She is Ian’s mother."
"So what?" Caleb retorted. "Women are just tools for bearing children. Look at your status now. You’re bringing her into the Linden Family just because she gave you a son? Ethan, I like the man you are now—decisive and efficient. I can’t stand overly emotional people! The old Ethan was just like that. Don’t become like him."