All Chapters of TANGLED BETWEEN BROTHERS : Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

191 Chapters

Chapter Fifty-One

THIRD PERSON POVMrs Mariana Ryder, their mother, walked calmly into the private conference room on the top floor. The executive director was already there waiting, standing beside the window, hands behind his back. He turned immediately when he heard her heels.“Mrs. Ryder,” he greeted respectfully. “I wasn’t expecting you today, I would have made special special arrangements.”She smiled politely. “I know. I prefer it that way, no need for too many formalities.”They both sat down across from each other. The room was quiet, the air heavy with unspoken tension.“I hope Liam is settling well into his role,” the executive director said carefully.“He is,” she replied without hesitation. “He has always been capable and focused unlike some people.”The man nodded, understanding exactly who she meant, but he didn’t mention the name.“Rumor going around the company is that there is currently an… internal tension,” he said cautiously. “Between the brothers.”Her expression hardened slightly

Chapter Fifty-Two

Zara stirred her coffee slowly, watching Daniel over the rim of her cup. The cafe was warm, soft music playing in the background. It felt comfortable. “So,” she said, breaking the silence, “grocery store Daniel… what do you actually do when you’re not shopping or trying to impress a lady with your looks and deep voice?”Daniel smiled at her remark. “I’m a business manager.”Her brows lifted. “Ooo. That sounds cool. What company do you work with?”“Only on paper,” he replied. “I was recently put in charge of a department at Ryder Group.”Zara froze for half a second. “Wait. Ryder Ryder?”He nodded. “Yeah. Do you know it?”She leaned back dramatically. “Wow, who doesn't. Okay. So I almost ran into a guy working in a big company with a shopping cart.”“You make it sound like I have a high position. If I don't know you better I would say you are mocking me.” he teased.“I’m glad you know me well enough to know that I won't mock you.” she said, pointing at him. “But you people wear suits

Chapter Fifty-Three

Nicole’s POVThe door closed behind us, and the quiet of the room settled in a way that made my chest feel tight instead of calm. Liam loosened his jacket, acting normal, like nothing strange had happened downstairs. Like his mother hadn’t walked in and looked at me as if I didn’t quite belong.I folded my arms. “Why didn’t you tell me your mom was coming today?”He paused, then turned to me. “Nicole… I forgot.”I stared at him, disbelief flashing through me. “You forgot?” My voice came out sharper than I intended. “Liam, that’s not something you forget.”He ran a hand through his hair, sighing. “I didn’t forget completely. I actually called you earlier.”I frowned. “You called me?”“Yes,” he said quickly. “But when we talked later, you didn’t sound in a good mood. I thought you’d be asleep by the time she arrived. I planned on telling you in the morning, before you saw her.”I shook my head slowly, hurt creeping in despite myself. “So you thought it was better for me to just… run in

Chapter Fifty-Four

Adrian’s POVMy phone buzzed against the bedside table, dragging me out of a dream I didn’t want to leave. I groaned, as l rolled onto my back, and stared at the ceiling, hoping that the sound would stop if I ignored it but it didn’t.I angrily reached for the phone with half-closed eyes and glanced at the screen.A name I hadn’t seen in a long time lit up.I exhaled slowly. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”I answered anyway. “Do you have any idea what time it is?”Her laugh came through the speaker, bright and unapologetic. “Good morning to you too, Adrian.”I pinched the bridge of my nose. “There better be a really good reason you’re interrupting my sleep, Diana.”“I’m in the city,” Diana said casually, like she was telling me the weather. “Just landed last night.”I sat up a little, sheets sliding down my waist. “And?”“And I thought you’d be happy to hear my voice,” she replied. “You used to be.”I let out a short laugh. “Used to is the key phrase there.”“Oh, don’t pretend you don’

Chapter Fifty-Five

Nicole’s POV As soon as breakfast was over, Liam and Adrian left for work while their mother stayed at home.I left immediately too, taking the Cab Liam had prepared for me. I didn't see Adrian after breakfast to thank him for standing up for me but I made a mental note to do so.The cab moved smoothly through traffic, but my thoughts were anything but calm. I stared out the window, my reflection faint against the glass, replaying breakfast over and over again. Liam had arranged the cab, kissed my forehead, told me not to overthink. I nodded and smiled, like I always did.I unlocked my phone and called Zara.She picked up after the second ring.“Hey,” she said. Her voice sounded rough and a bit hoarse.I frowned slightly. “Zara… are you alone right now? Or is there a man with you?” I was a bit worried.She chuckled. “Straight to interrogation mode? Relax, I’m alone.”“That laugh doesn’t sound convincing,” I said softly. “Your voice doesn’t sound okay either.”“I’m fine,” she replied

Chapter Fifty-Six

Adrian’s POV“She’s back.”Ethan paused mid-sip, eyes lifting slowly to mine. “Who?”I leaned against my desk, rolling the glass of water between my fingers. “Diana.”That single name did it. His brows knitted together as his expression sharpened with interest. “Diana as in that Diana?”“The one and only,” I said dryly. “Called this morning disrupting my sleep.”Ethan let out a low whistle. “That’s… unexpected.”“Annoying,” I corrected. “She said she’s in the city and wants to see me. Apparently, my sleep schedule offended her.”He smirked. “And?”“And I told her I’d call her later.” I shrugged. “I have enough chaos already.”Before Ethan could respond, the door swung open without a knock.Of course, it was Liam, as usual.He walked in like the office belonged to him, his face was squeezed together. His gaze flicked briefly to Ethan. “Morning,” he said flatly, more like an obligation than a greeting.Ethan nodded back, unfazed. “Morning.”Liam didn’t waste time. He turned to me. “Anna

Chapter Fifty-Seven

Nicole’s POV I hesitated for a second, then decided to say it.“I’m starting work today,” I told him quietly.Frank turned to me at once. “Work?” His brows lifted slightly. “What kind of work?”“It’s a part-time job,” I explained. “At a wine bureau. Nothing too big, but it will help.”He studied my face, like he was checking if I was okay with it. “Are you nervous?”“A little,” I admitted with a small smile. “It’s my first day. I don’t even know what to expect yet.”He nodded slowly. “That’s normal. First days are always strange and scary.”I played with my fingers. “I just hope I don’t mess anything up.”“You won’t,” he said firmly. “You’re more capable than you think.”That made me smile again.“So,” he continued casually, “where is this wine bureau?”I told him the location.His lips curved into a teasing grin. “Then I guess I’ll start coming there regularly.”I looked at him, surprised. “Why?”“To patronize the place,” he said easily. “Support your business.”I laughed softly. “F

Chapter Fifty-Eight

Adrian’s POVI let my gaze sweep the room. My secretary had already placed the files on the table, I then dismissed her. I took a slow breath, keeping my expression neutral, letting everyone feel the weight of my arrival.My eyes landed on Liam. “I trust you’re both ready to begin?”Anna smiled, tilting her head, clearly not intimidated. Liam, on the other hand, stiffened. I could almost see the gears turning in his mind, calculating how to handle her without giving me an opening.“Of course,” Liam replied, his tone tight but controlled.“We have a lot to cover today,” I began. “But before we dive into specifics, I want to reiterate that this meeting isn’t just about proposals or profits. It’s about strategy, efficiency, and how each party can contribute meaningfully to our objectives.”To me, the meeting room felt smaller than usual. Not because of the space, but because of who was sitting inside it,Anna James who sat across the table, legs crossed neatly, posture relaxed, like she

Chapter Fifty-Nine

Nicole’s POVI was just stepping out of the cafeteria, l had just returned my tray, my mind was on the class I was about to attend, when arms suddenly wrapped around me from behind.I froze for half a second, then I sighed. I knew that scent anywhere.“Nicoleeeeee,” Zara sang into my ear.I closed my eyes. “Zara. Please don’t start.”She tightened the hug. “I’m sorry. I’m really, really sorry.”I turned in her arms to face her. Zara’s face was already scrunched up in that dramatic way she used when she knew she was wrong, her eyes big and with pouting lips. She clasped her hands like she was praying for forgiveness.I folded my arms. “Move. I’m late for class.”She stepped directly in front of me, blocking my path. “No.”“Zara—”“Nope,” she said firmly. “You’re not going anywhere until you forgive me.”I tried to step left. She moved left.I stepped right. She followed.Students passed us, some staring, some smiling like they were enjoying the show.“Zara,” I hissed, lowering my voice

Chapter Sixty

Nicole's POV By the time I arrived at the wine bureau, the weight of lectures and crowded classrooms still clung to me.I checked my phone for the time as I pushed the glass door open. It was my afternoon shift, my first official day.The familiar scent wrapped around me instantly, warm and comforting. Oak, fruit, something slightly sweet. It calmed my nerves more than I expected it to.“Nicole!” Mia’s voice called out from behind the counter.I turned, instantly smiling. “Hi.”“Just in time,” she said, eyeing my bag. “Done with classes?”“Barely survived them,” I joked, earning a laugh.She handed me an apron and gestured toward the back. “Go ahead and drop your things. Today is light, you will mostly be observing, greeting customers, and helping with a small tasting setup. No pressure.”No pressure, she said, as if my heart wasn’t already doing gymnastics.I tied the apron around my waist, pinned my name tag to my top, and took a deep breath. “You’ve got this.” I said to myself.W

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