Chapter 386: Why Did You Never Say Anything?

Nathan Fawcett nodded. "Yes, he said he wants to see Ian. Everyone’s here, and we’re about to have dinner, so bring Ian over. I want to introduce you to Grandfather, too."

"Fine!" ’From the sound of it, if Ian wasn’t around right now, he’d probably be getting a lot of grief again!’

After all, with Nathan in the Linden Family, many people were jealous of him.

She grabbed a few things for Ian and said, "Let’s go. We’re going to find your daddy."

Ian heard Anne Sutton and nodded.

...

In the Linden family living room, with Nathan Fawcett out of the room, Ryan Linden seized the opportunity to say to Master Linden, "Grand-uncle, you’re finally back. You have to do something about Nathan Fawcett! He’s completely out of control and has no respect for us."

"That’s right!" Lana Langley, who was also present, chimed in to support her husband. "He even butchered our Ryan’s finger! It still hasn’t healed!"

Ryan Linden’s hand was still bandaged. He hadn’t settled that score with Nathan Fawcett yet.

Master Linden listened to Ryan Linden and asked, "Why would he do that?"

Ryan Linden said, "He can’t stand me, so he kicked me out of the company! I’ve been with the company for years. Even if I don’t have merits, I have my hard work! But he has no regard for old times!"

In his mind, it was all Nathan Fawcett’s fault; he himself had done nothing wrong.

Hearing this, Master Linden sighed. "Ryan, back when your father came to me, he said he wanted you to get some experience in the company. I remembered you saved Ethan when you were a boy, so I agreed. But thinking about it now, the Linden Group may not be the right fit for you. You’ve never been particularly bright. Since joining the company, there have been many things you couldn’t figure out. It’s actually better for you to leave. Don’t force it."

Ryan Linden: "..."

He stared at Master Linden. ’Did the old man just say I’m not smart?’

’What does he mean by that?’

’So he also thinks I should leave the company?’

’He used to praise me!’

’It wasn’t like this back then!’

’Why is he suddenly saying I’m not suited for the company?’

He said, "Grand-uncle, it’s not... I’m doing just fine at the company..."

"I know," Master Linden said. "That’s why I told Nathan that as long as you pay back the eighty million you owe the company, he can find a position for you in one of the subsidiaries. That way, things will be easier for you, and you can spend more time with your family..."

"Eighty million?" Ryan Linden stared at the old man in disbelief, shocked that he knew about this. Ryan asked, "You think I should pay back that eighty million, too?"

Master Linden sat on the sofa, his expression kind. He didn’t want to blame Ryan, but merely offered a friendly reminder. "On this matter, I really must speak up for Nathan. With the money you embezzled from the company, if it weren’t for the fact that your surname is Linden and that you once saved Ethan, he could have sent you to prison. The very fact that you’re sitting here now is a sign of his mercy. Do you understand?"

"Grand-uncle!" Ryan had thought Master Linden was his hope, his savior. He never imagined that the old man would also speak up for Nathan Fawcett!

Ryan asked frantically, "Don’t you understand? That’s Nathan Fawcett, not Ethan Linden anymore! He’s not the Linden family heir you designated! His surname is Fawcett! He’s not one of us! You can’t be seriously thinking of letting someone like *him* take over the company, can you?"

"That’s right!" Lana chimed in. "Grand-uncle, Nathan Fawcett is not Ethan Linden! Ethan is long gone; Nathan is an imposter. He’s deceived you for all these years, and he has absolutely no respect for you! If you let him get away with this, who’s going to have any respect for you in the future?"

"..." Hearing Lana’s words, Master Linden gave Ryan a long, meaningful look. The couple was clearly united on this. What Lana said was, of course, what Ryan was thinking.

He thought he had already made his attitude perfectly clear. He couldn’t believe this couple was still...

Ever since the airport, Ryan hadn’t stopped badmouthing Nathan Fawcett for a moment.

Master Linden turned to Noah, who was nearby, and said, "Noah, will you disrespect me just because Nathan is in charge of the company?"

"Of course not." Noah lowered his head and said respectfully, "My father passed away a long time ago. You’re the one who has spent all these years raising and training me. It is my duty to serve you and the company."

Master Linden nodded, satisfied. "Noah, you’re a good boy. I wasn’t wrong about you. With you there to support Nathan at the company, I can rest easy."

"You flatter me..." Noah said. "The company could have ten thousand Noah Lindens, but there is only one leader like Nathan."

He was now very clear about his own position.

Hearing this, Master Linden nodded and turned to look at Ryan and Lana again.

Noah’s impeccable response made Ryan and his wife look all the more like clowns.

He had shown Ryan’s family every consideration, and yet Ryan had the nerve to say... that if he let Nathan Fawcett take over the Linden Group, others would stop respecting him?

Master Linden said, "Ryan, why don’t you tell me? Why can’t Nathan Fawcett inherit from the Linden Family? What, is he not your aunt’s son?"

Ryan frowned. "But Aunt has despised the Fawcett family all these years!"

"Then wasn’t it your aunt who called him back?"

"..." Ryan stared at the old man, asking in disbelief, "So, you’ve known his identity this whole time?"

Master Linden said, "Of course I knew! If I hadn’t been considering your aunt’s feelings, I would have had him inherit as Nathan Fawcett from the start. He’s my grandson. He carries my blood. And everyone has seen with their own eyes how well he’s managed the company these past few years! I’m an old man; the world belongs to you young people. If I don’t find a reliable successor for the company, how long do you think it would last, with the lot of you as you are? Hmm?"

"..." Ryan never would have guessed that the old man had known about this all along.

And what’s more...

It seemed... he was even more fond of Nathan Fawcett than Ryan had imagined.

Master Linden continued, "From now on, all company matters will be decided by Nathan. If you have any issues, take them to him! I came back to recuperate. If it weren’t for wanting to see Ian, I couldn’t be bothered to return and listen to all this squabbling. Don’t you come bothering me with these things!"

Ryan stood to the side, his hands clenching into fists. The old man’s words had just made him look like a complete clown.

Nathan Fawcett walked in from outside. Ryan’s face turned livid as he glared at him. ’Damn him! Nathan Fawcett deserves to die!’

Upon seeing Nathan, the old man’s expression softened considerably. He asked, "Where’s Ian?"

"He’s on his way," Nathan said. "He’ll be here in a little while. The kitchen is almost ready, so if you’re hungry, we can eat first."

"No need to rush," said Master Linden. "Let’s wait for Ian. I’m going to go change my clothes."

With that, he had Noah accompany him upstairs.

Ryan stood to the side, glaring at Nathan. "Nathan Fawcett, you despicable bastard!"

Nathan gave him a puzzled look and asked, "And what makes you say that?"

"The old man knew you were Nathan Fawcett all along! Why did you never say anything?"

’All you had to do was say one word!’

But you just had to hide it.

Nathan replied, "I didn’t realize we were on such good terms. Besides, even if I had told you, would you have believed me?"