?


    "We can sign an agreement if you''re still worried. I promise never to challenge your custody of Wilhelm in my lifetime," Jane assured. Seeing her determination, Gabriel remained silent.


    Noticing his hesitation, Jane gripped the armrests of her wheelchair tightly. "Gabriel, you''re already hesitating, even though you haven''t remarried yet. How can I believe you''ll treat Wilhelm fairly in the future?"


    Gabriel''s gaze turned cold. "No matter what, Wilhelm will be better off with me than with you. When and how much of the shares I give him is my decision, not yours."


    With that, he turned to leave.


    As he reached the doorway, Jane''s voice echoed behind him. "If you don''t transfer half your shares to Wilhelm, I won''t leave the country!"


    Gabriel paused, then nced back at her mockingly. "Whether you leave or stay means nothing to me. And why would you think your refusal to leave is a threat to me?"


    "Gabriel, you''re a bastard!" Jane shouted.


    Gabriel smirked and left without another word.


    He found Wilhelm sitting in the garden gazebo.


    Standing over him, Gabriel said, "You have two choices. Stay here alone-your mom will leave for another country soon-ore with me."


    Tear tracks marred Wilhelm''s face, but he remained silent.


    His tiny features were set in a stubborn scowl-a miniature version of Gabriel.


    Gabriel wasn''t about to indulge him further. He turned and walked away.


    At the gate, he heard hurried footsteps behind him and turned to see Wilhelm trailing after him, panic and fear written all over his small face.


    In a short period, Wilhelm had witnessed Gabriel leaving home, being struck by Jane, the divorce, and his custody being handed over to Gabriel. Now, Jane was abandoning him when he went to find her.


    Naturally, Wilhelm was overwhelmed with insecurity.


    "Daddy, I''ll go with you. Please don''t leave me," he pleaded.


    Upon seeing his son''s timid, frightened expression, Gabriel''s heart softened.


    He sighed, scooped Wilhelm into his arms, and headed for the car. "Don''t worry. Daddy will never leave you."


    Wilhelm didn''t look reassured. He clung tightly to his father''s neck as fear still lingered in his teary eyes.


    He had only his father now and wouldn''t let anyone take him away.


    On the way home, Gabriel received a call from his secretary.


    "Mr. Hackett, there''s news from Capitarnia: Prospectus Technology''s team is meeting with the Westcott Group, and it looks like they''re considering a partnership," the secretary reported.


    Gabriel''s expression turned icy.


    "Find out exactly what Damon is negotiating with them. Book me a flight-I need to handle this personally," Gabriel replied.


    After hanging up, he elerated the car.


    Once Wilhelm was dropped off at the vi, Gabriel headed straight for the airport.


    At the presidential suite of thergest hotel in Capitarnia...


    Damon sat behind a desk, conducting a video conference with Prospectus Technology''s senior management.


    "Mr. Sumner, our preliminary


    investigation shows that the mass


    failure of the Longbow Compat


    machines is not due to our


    company''s chips. Further checks are


    required to determine the ey


    cause," someone from the


    management reported.