The temptation of my brother-in-law-Chapter 92 - ninety two

Chapter Ninety-Two

Malachi’s POV

After breakfast, Pa Wood summoned us to his study. The us in question being me, Mario, Travis, Tom, and Pa Wood himself. The power players of the Blackwood family. Or what was left of them.

The study felt smaller with all of us in it. Tension made the air thick, suffocating. Travis sat slumped in a chair near the window, looking like he wished he could disappear. Mario stood near the fireplace, his earlier confidence from breakfast restored now that we were away from the women. Tom took position by Pa Wood’s desk, arms crossed. And I remained near the door, watching. Calculating.

Pa Wood sat behind his massive desk, his fingers steepled in front of him. The disappointment radiating off him was palpable.

"Travis," father said, breaking the heavy silence. His voice was cold. Cutting. "I’m so disappointed in you."

Travis flinched but said nothing.

"I’ve been in China building our operations there," Tom continued. "Securing relationships. Expanding our reach. Working to ensure this family’s future. And while I’m doing that, you’re here stealing from us. Gambling away company funds. Destroying everything we’ve built."

Growing up, I never saw any of my parents around. It was just me, Travis, and pa wood in this large mansion that felt more like a grave of souls.

"I didn’t mean—" Travis started.

"You didn’t mean to?" Tom’s voice rose. "You didn’t mean to steal three million dollars? You didn’t mean to hide it for years? You didn’t mean to embarrass this family in front of everyone who matters?"

Travis looked at the floor. "I’m sorry."

"Sorry doesn’t fix this. Sorry doesn’t undo the damage."

I’ve never seen my father that angry before. His fingers were curled into fists. Veins popping. Anger radiating across the room. Travis had really disappointed him.

Pa Wood finally spoke. "I’m equally disappointed. I gave you responsibilities. Trusted you with important positions. And you betrayed that trust completely."

"I was trying to fix my mistakes—"

"By making bigger mistakes." Pa Wood’s eyes were hard. "You had opportunities to come clean. To ask for help. But you chose deception instead. That’s what disappoints me most. Not the gambling. Not even the stealing. But the lies. The complete lack of integrity."

Travis looked like he wanted to sink through the floor. Good. He deserved every word.

This was his punishment for all the years of torture he gave my little bird.

Mario, never one to miss an opportunity to kick someone when they were down, spoke up. "It’s no surprise, really. Tom’s son took after him."

The words hung in the air. Pointed. Deliberate.

Tom’s expression darkened. "Excuse me?"

"I’m just saying there’s a pattern. Father was never around. Always in China. Always prioritizing business over family." Mario’s smile was poisonous. "And now his sons follow suit. Malachi abandoned the family for years. Travis destroyed it from within. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree."

I’d been staying quiet. Observing. But that comment required a response.

"Mario," I said, my voice deceptively calm. "You should keep quiet."

He turned to me, that smile widening. "Why? Am I hitting too close to home?"

"Because you’re about to say something you’ll regret."

"I don’t think so. I think it’s time someone pointed out the obvious. Your father’s children are—"

"I said keep quiet." I pushed off from the door, moving closer. "Or would you prefer I ask some uncomfortable questions?"

"How dare you—"

Mario’s smile faltered. Just slightly. "What questions?"

"Like where were you last night? During the party. During the anniversary celebration you should have attended."

His face changed. The confidence cracking. "I had business to attend to."

"What business?"

"That’s none of your concern."

"It became my concern when you missed a major family event. When you disappeared without explanation on the same night someone leaked Travis’s financial records." I watched his reaction carefully. "Makes me wonder what you were really doing."

"Are you accusing me of something?" Mario’s voice rose. The defensive tone of someone caught.

"I’m asking a simple question. Where were you?"

Pa Wood leaned forward, interested now. "Yes, Mario. Where were you? I noticed your absence as well."

"I told you. I had business—"

"What business?" I pressed. "Be specific."

Mario wanted to flair up. I could see it building in him. The rage at being questioned. The indignation at having his authority challenged. The bubbling volcano he tried so hard to hide.

But he also knew he was cornered. Knew that getting defensive would only make him look more guilty.

"I was meeting with potential investors," he said finally. "For a new project."

"On the night of the wedding anniversary? When your presence was explicitly required?" Pa Wood’s tone made it clear he didn’t believe it.

"The investors were only available that night. It was important."

"More important than family?" Tom asked quietly. The question carried weight.

"I was working for the family. Securing our future."

"Or covering your tracks," I said. "Making sure you had an alibi for whatever you were really doing."

"This is ridiculous. I don’t need to justify my schedule to you." Mario turned to Pa Wood. "Are we going to let him interrogate me like this?"

"He asked a valid question. One I’d like answered as well." Pa Wood’s eyes never left Mario’s face. "Your absence was noted. And your timing was suspicious."

"Suspicious how?"

"Someone leaked very detailed financial information about Travis last night. Information that was buried deep. Information that would require significant access to obtain." I moved closer to Mario. "Information someone like you would have access to."

"You think I leaked it?" Mario laughed, but it sounded forced. "Why would I destroy my own nephew? My own family?"

"Maybe because you wanted Travis’s position. Wanted him out of the way so you could move up."

"That’s insane."

"Is it? You were awfully pleased this morning when Pa Wood announced the positions were being redistributed. Almost like you expected it."

Mario’s face flushed red. "I expected Pa Wood to make smart decisions. To give power to people who deserved it."

"People like you?"

"People who haven’t abandoned the family for years. Who’ve been here. Working. Contributing."

"Contributing what, exactly?" I asked. "Because from where I’m standing, your contributions look a lot like sabotage."

"How dare you—"

"Enough." Pa Wood’s voice cut through the rising tension. "Both of you."

We both stopped. Stood there staring at each other. The hostility between us thick enough to choke on.

"Mario, you will provide documentation of your meeting last night," Pa Wood said. "Names. Locations. Details. I want everything verified."

"This is an insult—"

"It’s a reasonable request given the circumstances. Unless you have something to hide?"

Mario’s jaw clenched. "Fine. I’ll provide whatever you need."

"Good. You’re dismissed."

Mario left quickly, his shoulders rigid with anger. I watched him go, filing away every reaction. Every tell.

He was hiding something. I just needed to figure out what.

When the door closed behind him, Pa Wood turned to me. "You think he’s involved?"

"I think he knows more than he’s saying. Whether he leaked the information himself or just knew it was coming, I’m not sure yet."

"Keep digging. Quietly."

"I intend to."

Father spoke up. "What about the trip? Will two weeks in close quarters help or make things worse?"

"It’ll flush out whoever’s playing games," I said. "People can only maintain facades for so long. In two weeks, we’ll see who’s really loyal and who’s been working against us."

Pa Wood nodded slowly. "That’s what I’m counting on. Why I insisted everyone come." 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

So the trip wasn’t just about presenting a united front. It was a test. An opportunity to observe everyone in close quarters and see what shook loose.

Clever. Manipulative. Very much Pa Wood’s style.

"What about Alicia?" Tom asked, looking at me. "You’re putting a lot of responsibility on someone relatively new to the family."

"She can handle it," I said firmly.

"You sound certain."

"I am."

Tom studied me for a long moment. "Be careful, Malachi. Personal feelings and business don’t mix well."

"I’m always careful."

"Liar." But there was something almost like approval in his voice. "Just don’t let whatever this is cloud your judgment."

I had no intention of letting anything cloud my judgment. But I also had no intention of abandoning Alicia to these wolves.

She was mine to protect now. Officially. With positions and authority to back it up.

And I’d use every bit of that power to keep her safe.

Even if it meant burning this entire family down around us.

"I’m proud of you, son."

His eyes softened.

"Hmm,"

Mine were cold.

A father’s warmth was what I always craved as a child. But not anymore.

"I know I haven’t been around the house much to take care of you."

There was annoying guilt in his voice.

I looked up at him, eyes empty.

"I’m not a child anymore. I can take care of myself and my business."

I heard a low sigh I didn’t acknowledge.

"Why are you back, Malachi?"

So that’s what this conversation was about? Tch.