Chapter_250
Maisy stared at Tyler, her frustration simmering just beneath the surface. She crossed her arms, a look of disbelief on her face. “So now you’re treating this like it’s nothing? You’re playing with people’s lives here, Tyler!” Her voice was sharp, but there was something else too—hurt.
Tyler’s expression remained cool, though his eyes narrowed slightly as he met her gaze. “I’m not playing with anyone’s life, Maisy. You know that better than anyone.” His tone had a quiet, underlying firmness that matched the calm exterior he often wore. “But principles, family, business—these things don’t just mesh together when there’s trouble brewing. I’m not going to ignore that.”
Maisy didn’t back down. Her lips pressed into a tight line as she took a step closer to him, her eyes flashing with intensity. “But you’re pushing them to the edge. There’s a difference between holding people accountable and making them walk the plank. And the way you’ve handled it…” Her voice trailed off, as though she couldn’t quite find the right words to express the disappointment she felt.
Tyler let out a small breath, his gaze unwavering. “What do you expect me to do? Pamper them and hope everything magically fixes itself?” He shook his head slightly, as if trying to make her understand the weight of his decision. “This isn’t just about family connections. It’s about running a business with integrity. That’s all.”
Ana, who had been quietly watching the exchange, finally spoke up. “Tyler, maybe Maisy’s right. You could have handled it more carefully. This involves not just business, but the reputation of our family.”
Tyler glanced at Ana, but his focus stayed on Maisy. “And how would you suggest I handle it, Ana? Just sweep it under the rug because they’re connected to us by blood? I won’t do that. Not now. Not ever.”
Maisy’s eyes softened a little, the anger still present but tempered by something more vulnerable now. “I just don’t want our family to be torn apart by this, Tyler. Caleb… he’s upset. Marianne is upset. And you’re not making it any easier by being so cold about it.”
Tyler’s expression shifted slightly, his hard edges softening as he met her gaze. He sighed and spoke more quietly, “I understand that this is hard for everyone, Maisy. But I have to make decisions that are in the company’s best interest, no matter how tough they are. If I have to stand by them, I will. Even if it makes me unpopular with some people.”
Maisy looked away, her emotions still tangled, but she nodded. “I get it. But don’t forget who you’re doing this for, Tyler. The people who matter… they matter, too.”
There was a long pause between them, heavy with unspoken words, before Tyler finally spoke again. “I haven’t forgotten. I just can’t let it all fall apart because we’re afraid to face the truth.”
Maisy exhaled slowly, her shoulders relaxing just a bit. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”
Tyler stood there for a moment, his eyes steady on her. “I always do, Maisy. I always do.”
Upstairs, Olivia had been listening from the door, her mind racing. She hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but the tension in the air was undeniable. The conversation downstairs had left her unsettled. She knew it wasn’t just about business—it was personal. And it was clear that the stakes had never been higher for the Harris family.
As the maid helped her settle into her room, Olivia couldn’t shake the feeling that something bigger was at play. She sat on the edge of the bed, looking out the window into the night, wondering what the future would hold for them all.