The Illegitimate Flame: Bride of Ashes-Chapter 120- father and sons

"Such a lack of respect for elders!" Charles was clearly still bothered that August called Janet by her first name, and he was also a bit displeased with how close the two of them had become. Yes, Charles and August were brothers, but Charles just didn’t like August getting too close to Janet.

In other words, any man getting near Janet would make him uncomfortable!

"August is older than me anyway, calling me by my name is only natural!" Janet stuck her tongue out at him, quietly protesting. What kind of man is this, so petty!

"Respect is about seniority, not age!" Charles followed Janet upstairs, still wearing that supreme, commanding look, as if his words were orders that others must obey.

Janet didn’t bother to argue and just grabbed her pajamas from the closet, heading to the bathroom.

"Wife, I’m going back to the company in a couple of days. You should come with me," Charles said suddenly as Janet came out, wrapping his arms around her from behind. He rested his firm chin on her fragrant shoulder, his face full of emotion.

"Huh? So soon you’ve changed your mind?" Janet didn’t resist this time but let him hold her. Before, she had urged him to return to Black Rock Co., but he ignored her. Now after seeing August, he suddenly seemed to have a change of heart.

They say a woman’s mind is hard to read, but Janet found Charles’s thoughts even harder to figure out!

"Yeah, I want to support you, little one!" Charles flirtatiously grabbed Janet’s smooth chin, giving a teasing answer to her question.

"I think with your skills, you could support me even without being the boss!" Janet pouted and gave him a coquettish side glance. Was that really something he should say? Besides, she wasn’t the kind to rely on a man for support!

"That won’t do. I need to pave the way for our little one’s future, right?" Charles said, one hand sliding from her waist to gently rub her lower belly through her pajamas, his eyes growing dreamy and filled with desire, as if there really was a little life growing inside.

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Janet was startled, quickly pushing away his hand from her abdomen. The pulse she felt under his palm made her breath come in a heated rush.

"It’s not nonsense. Let’s work hard to make a little one, alright?" Charles breathed near her ear. Janet weakly pushed against his iron arm, shyly replying, "It’s not something we can have just by wanting it!"

Did he think he was a god, able to create things just by wishing?

"I say it exists, so it will exist!" Charles said, pressing his lips to hers. He gently turned their bodies and carried Janet down onto their king-sized bed. Janet had no chance to resist. Charles immediately shed her clothes, eagerly yet tenderly entering her, his kisses trailing along her delicate skin...

Now, without Derrick’s threats or entanglements between them, he would never let anyone hurt her again.

The night was cold and clear like water, but inside the room, passion raged fiercely...

Charles did not return to Black Rock Co. immediately. Two days later, he was met by Derrick’s personal bodyguard. Derrick had handed the company over to Charles, left Snowpeak Villa to August, and all his real estate and zero-sum assets—enough to match half of Black Rock Co.—were transferred to August. Meanwhile, Derrick took Philip back to France!

"When did this happen?" Charles looked at the shares and property deeds, his brow furrowing. He was already preparing to return to the company and had brought August back, so Derrick had no real reason to do all this.

Perhaps deep down, Derrick still felt guilty toward his sons. Besides making amends in this way, he didn’t know what else could hold the three of them—father and two sons—together. He had been Charles’s father for twenty-eight years, yet he had never truly acknowledged August, and had deeply hurt him. Other than remorse, Derrick saw no other way out.

"The lord will take Master Philip back to France once everything here is settled. The flight is at 2 p.m.," the bodyguard said sincerely. But Charles had already grabbed his car keys and rushed out of the villa. The black Bugatti Veyron roared as it sped toward the airport.

Even if they were leaving, he should have been told. And why was Philip going back to France too?

He hated Derrick—for the child lost in the past and for how Derrick had used him. But compared to August’s hatred, Charles realized his own hatred had faded somewhat. Twenty-eight years of feelings couldn’t be wiped away with a few words. And between him and Philip, as brothers, the bond was even harder to sever.

The car sped wildly, reaching the airport in just ten minutes. Charles hurried through the crowds and looked toward the boarding gate. The usually calm and rational man had even forgotten to check at the counter if the flight to France had already departed.

The bustling airport was full of unfamiliar faces. Just as he turned away disappointed, several imposing figures approached from behind. Charles immediately spotted Philip, supported by two attendants. Philip stood about 180 centimeters tall, only slightly shorter than Charles. His sapphire blue eyes were filled with reluctance and pain. The first thing Philip said was, "Charles, are we still brothers?"

"Philip!" Charles nodded firmly, answering with his name alone. Of course, they were still brothers—always had been. Not only that, but with August, they were half-brothers sharing the same father. No one could change that blood bond.

"Grandpa is old. His business in France needs someone to inherit it. Dad and I are planning to settle there. Also, my leg is getting rehabilitation from top doctors there, so the recovery will be faster," Philip glanced at Derrick standing behind them. At this moment, Derrick looked nothing like a father—his eyes full of helplessness and resignation.

Philip’s biological mother Allison was French, so it was natural he had half French blood. His departure was inevitable.

Charles seemed unable to find any reason to keep him here.

"Take good care of Black Rock Co. And if possible, I hope you don’t hate Dad too much. He’s already full of regret," Philip’s hopeful eyes shimmered. Before Derrick could step forward, Philip was helped by two attendants to board the plane.

Charles watched Derrick’s aging, worn face. Derrick’s hoarse voice trembled with emotion, "Charles, I know I have wronged you and August. I don’t expect your forgiveness. I just hope you can keep Black Rock Co. And August, I’m leaving it to you. He probably never wants to see me again."

Derrick wept bitterly. For the first time, Charles saw him broken and sorrowful. The Derrick of the past had been domineering, cold, and ruthless—bearing even a trace of Charles’s own shadow. But after all, they were still father and sons...

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