The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

Anastasia scoffed, "You've dragged everyone into this mess, and now you're talking nonsense. Isn't that a bit ridiculous? Cut the crap. Either sign the papers, or we're taking this to the shareholders' meeting."

Sean, recalling his sister's instructions before he left home, swallowed his anger and said, "I've got an addendum right here. Once you take Dad with you today, that's it. You're not to meddle with Morton Group ever again. By renouncing your claim to the inheritance, you're also giving up any stake in the Morton's fortune."

Anastasia was succinct, "So what you're saying is, everything related to the Mortons has nothing to do with me from here on out."

"Exactly." Sean signaled his lawyer to present the agreement.

Without hesitation, Anastasia signed, everything unfolding exactly as she had anticipated.

Sean was taken aback. Were there really people in the world who didn't covet money?

Just by virtue of being a Morton by blood, Anastasia could have laid claim to a hefty sum, not to mention the stock transfer agreement.

Sean didn't understand her, but with Anastasia's signature, he now had something to report back to Sandy.

Clutching the signed agreement, Sean left without so much as a backward glance at Tavon.

Sandy was waiting in the car just outside the hotel entrance. As she spotted Sean emerging, she asked, "Bro, did it go okay?"

"She signed." Sean got into the car. "Sis, have a look."

After scanning the document, Sandy felt a wave of relief: "Anastasia's no longer Herman's wife, no longer the lady of the Morton empire. She's taking Dad with her just to be a burden. Mark my words, she'll tire of it and send him back before long. Bro, all you need to do now is keep the company steady."

Sean replied with a dismissive tone, "We've got you and Uncle, right? The company will be fine."

Sandy spoke sternly, "Brother, Uncle's last name is Shaw. In the future, don't run to him for every little thing. Remember, your last name is Morton, and so is the company's."

"Sis, Uncle's been there for us since we were kids. Don't you trust him?" Sean felt his sister had changed a lot since her recovery.

Sandy hinted at deeper concerns, "Brother, in this world, who can you really count on? If you want something, you have to fight for it yourself. For years, Dad was shackled by the Stanton family. It seemed like they were helping Morton Group, but in reality, they wanted complete control. Mom was naive and couldn't see it. That's the real reason behind their marriage falling apart. We can't rely on divided loyalties."

Sean was baffled, "Sis, how do you know all this? I'm clueless."

"From now on, it's just the two of us to look after the family. I'll help you make the company even better."

Sean scratched his head, "Sis, I'm lost when it comes to this stuff. I'll just do as you say. You're the real decision-maker."

Sandy looked at her brother, knowing him all too well: kind-hearted, impulsive, easily deceived.

She said, "Bro, I want Morton Group to rival Elysian Technologies in five years."

"Did I hear you right?" Sean thought he'd misheard, "That's Elysian Technologies."

"What's impossible about that?" Sandy challenged. "Brother, don't you have faith?"

Sean gave a nervous chuckle, "I never even considered it. Sis, I don't want you to overdo it. You've recovered, but the doctor said not to push yourself." "How have you been feeling lately, brother?"

Sean laughed, "I'm a man, right? Strong as an ox, nothing to worry about. It's just bone marrow."

He didn't admit the whole truth; ever since the donation, his immune system had weakened, and he felt noticeably worse.

"Bro, any regrets?" Sandy inquired.

"Dear sister," Sean tousled Sandy's hair affectionately, just like when they were kids, "Even if I had to do it all over again, I'd give you my bone marrow willingly." The words 'willingly give' held a hidden meaning, one that Sandy didn't quite grasp.

Sean wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but he wasn't blind to the underlying truths.

He knew his sister had manipulated family ties to get his marrow.

But even if given another chance, he'd save his sister without a second thought. She was his only sibling. Their parents might turn a blind eye, but not him. He was prepared to sacrifice everything for her, to be her guardian angel.