Too Late to Hold Me Back novel Chapter 1078

Though Mira possessed a brilliant mind for business, she was still young and relatively inexperienced in the corporate world. She was only just starting college and hadn't yet received formal, systemic business training.

As a result, Owen had been mentoring her hands-on, guiding her through the intricacies of executive leadership.

By the time he left the Solflare Group, Mira had evolved into a fully capable Board Chair.

The truth was, Owen had quietly installed his own loyalists in every key position across the Lance Group. Whether he was physically present in their offices or not, the entire empire remained firmly under his control.

Stepping away from Solflare was his way of letting Mira spread her wings.

After all, a person could never truly grow if they were constantly shielded from the storm.

...

Meanwhile, Owen was currently at Lance Manor, finalizing the paperwork to formally sever his relationship with his father.

"This represents thirty percent of the Lance Group's assets. Sign this contract, and it's all yours," Owen stated, his gaze fixed coldly on Richard.

"Owen, does it really have to come to this between us?"

Though he had been thoroughly manipulated by Jocelyn's charms, Owen was still his flesh and blood.

He undeniably favored Lawrence and his sister, but even he knew there was a massive gulf in competence between his youngest and oldest sons.

Richard was fully aware of that fact.

By every conceivable metric, Owen was infinitely more reliable than the reckless heir.

"If it wasn't for my grandfather, I would have cut ties with you a long time ago.

Our relationship ended the moment my mother died. No—it ended the moment you brought Jocelyn into this house. I stopped being your son right then and there.

For years, Grandfather has been keeping the peace, forcing a pathetic façade of family unity.

The whole reason I walked away from the Lance family a few years ago was to wipe my hands clean of you."

The mere mention of his mother brought a suffocating wave of grief to Owen's chest, but he clenched his jaw and refused to show an ounce of weakness in front of these people.

"Then why did you bother coming back?"

Jocelyn shrieked.

"Because half of this empire was built on my mother's blood, sweat, and tears. If I didn't come back, was I supposed to just hand her legacy over to a mistress and an illegitimate cur?"

This wasn't the first time Jocelyn had insulted Owen's mother and gotten struck for it. Yet, like a fool, she had pushed the button again.

"Sign it," Owen demanded coldly. "Before I change my mind."

The unspoken threat hung heavy in the air—if they pushed him, they'd walk away with absolutely nothing.

"No, that's not enough! Why does he get to walk away with forty percent?"

Thirty percent belonged to the other shareholders.

"Because I am the one taking care of my grandfather."

Owen replied, his tone smooth and utterly unbothered.

"Richard, we should be the ones taking care of your father! It's only right for a son to look after his own dad.

There's no rule in the world that says the grandson should bear that responsibility!"

Jocelyn argued, clutching Richard's arm.

It was a no-brainer. Earning a ten percent equity stake just for checking in on an old man? They'd be absolute idiots not to fight for it. Ten percent of the Lance Group was worth billions of dollars. There was no way she was letting that arrogant brat walk away with such a massive prize.