Chapter 1145
“Something good…? Why do you ask, sir?”
Lenny froze for a moment. Michelle flashed through his mind, and he immediately lowered his head.
“How old are you?”
“Sir, I’m twenty–seven this year.”
“Mm. A good age. It’s time you thought about dating and starting a family.”
A faint smile surfaced in Nick’s deep gaze as he lightly patted Lenny on the shoulder.
Startled, Lenny blurted out, “Sir, Michelle and I haven’t reached that stage yet-”
Halfway through, he realized he’d just given himself away.
Nick hadn’t even asked anything. He shouldn’t have known much about what was going on between him and Michelle.
“Dating someone you like isn’t something to hide,” Nick said in a low, gentle voice, one that carried quiet reassurance. “Khloe once told me you two were well matched. I found it hard to believe at the time. Now it seems women really are more perceptive.”
Lenny’s expression turned serious. “Sir… you already knew?”
Nick nodded.
Even before he and Khloe left for Swinterland, he had intended to bring the two together. But in the end, matters of the heart had to be decided by the people involved.
Yesterday, when he’d sent someone to find Lenny, he happened to see Lenny with Michelle at the hospital entrance, their closeness unmistakable. And for the rest of the day, Lenny had been distracted, the sweetness on his face impossible to hide.
There was no need to guess–they had already laid their feelings bare.
“Sir, I know Michelle and I aren’t well matched. But even if it doesn’t work out in the end, I still want to be brave for once. So, sir…”
“I know you,” Nick interrupted gently. “I look after my own. No matter what others think, I support you being with the person you love.”
He understood Lenny’s concerns. It wasn’t just about himself–he was worried it might implicate Nick.
If the Keller family decided to make things difficult, they would inevitably have to deal with Nick as well.
That was what unsettled Lenny the most.
“Sir…” Lenny was deeply moved, his eyes instantly reddening.
“The Keller family dotes on their daughter. The only thing they might truly care about is social standing. For most people, that’s hard to overcome–but for me, it’s the easiest thing in the world.”
As he spoke, Nick gestured toward a set of documents on the side table.
Only then did Lenny notice the two black folders resting behind him.
1/2
Chapter 45
+25 Bonus
“The new energy project you and Michelle advanced together was a great success. Hunt Group has already established a new company with its partners. As a reward, you now hold thirty percent of its shares.”
Lenny opened the file. Just as Nick said, all the corporate restructuring had been completed. Lenny was now the largest shareholder of the subsidiary–the one with actual control.
“Sir, this reward is too much. It’s not appropriate…”
“There’s nothing inappropriate about it. I trust you to manage the new company. And besides, from now on, you’re part of the Hunt family.”
“Y–You mean…?” Lenny looked at him in shock. Nick’s expression remained calm, his smile gentle.
He turned from the window and walked back into the room, leaving the moonlight behind him as it faded into shadow.
“You have no parents, and you’ve been with me for years. You’re already like a brother–one of us. I’ve spoken to my mother. From now on, you’ll be my parents‘ adopted son, in name a member of the Hunt family. 1
“But since you’ll be part of the family, you’ll need to take our family name—and shoulder the responsibilities that come with it. In the future, if I’m no longer here, I hope you’ll take care of my family in my place…” 6
