As though to ward off any doubt both brothers had, Charles slid the file across to Jake. "This is the document for everything. I've signed it all."
Raymond shot to his feet, his hands trembling, his voice rising. "You can't do this, Dad! All my life, I've been waiting—preparing—for my chance. You promised me Florittle. You said—"
"I said you would inherit it if you proved yourself," Charles cut in, his voice merciless. "And you have not. I gave you chance after chance, Raymond, and each time you stumbled. I will not gamble with our empire because you want to play at being a man when you're obviously still a baby and don't want to grow. I told you, actions speak louder than voice."
Raymond's chest heaved. His vision blurred. The dream he had clung to, the business he had envisioned running, all of it ripped away in a breath. To think he'd even been thinking of asking for another branch so he doesn't have to leave Sweliss and Bella.
What a joke.
