Her Return, His Regret

##Flashback to two weeks earlier##

After leaving Ryan and Lora's wedding, Miles, Celeste, Isabella and Jason returned to the Kingsley mansion.

From there, they sat down and Miles took time to learn more about his son.

"I'm really sorry you had to grow up on your own. I don't know why your mother acted on her own," Miles said, glancing at Celeste before turning to look at Jason. "I would never abandon my children."

He was heartbroken to find out about his other son who was left to grow up away from family. His chest felt heavy and he couldn't shake away the guilt that was creeping into him.

Celeste chipped in, "Miles, I told you why I kept him a secret. I wasn't really welcomed by your father and your two children hated me. They never warmed up to me no matter what I did. Imagine if I had a son too, wouldn't his life have been a living hell?" Miles sighed as he thought about it. Indeed, back then, Charles was so annoyed about his decision to marry Celeste that he accused her of being a gold digger. He somehow understood why Celeste hid their son.

Charles always favoured Ryan and Diane. However, he had never warmed up to Celeste and Isabella.

"I would have protected him-"

"The way you've protected Isabella?" Celeste questioned. "She can't even get a position in the company and yet everything came easily for Ryan and Diane. My daughter has been treated like an outcast and you did nothing to prevent that." "But we talked about this... Isabella hasn't gotten any qualifications in line with what the group does, that's why she can't get a job there-"

"You could have arranged for a job that could suit her. You're the chairman's son and creating a position would have been easy for you. However, you didn't even try. It's like we've been sidelined because your father never accepted me. I'm just worried that it would be the same for Jason-"

"Mother, you don't need to worry. I can take care of myself like I've always done," Jason replied calmly. "We don't need to ask for anything from the Kingsleys. I grew up well without their help."

Jason looked at Miles and said, "Father, you don't need to stress yourself. I only came back because I missed my family. I was tired of staying hidden. If my presence will ruin Ryan's life, then we could all pretend that I don't exist."

Guilt crept into Miles at those words. His stomach kept twisting and turning. Ryan had everything ever since he was born but what about Jason? Miles couldn't even imagine how much he suffered being raised by other people. Looking at Jason, he promised, "You know what? I'm going to give you my shares!"

Celeste gasped and exclaimed, "Miles, are you serious?!"

Miles nodded, a smile crossing his lips. "I am. I just found out I have another son, what better way to welcome him home than to give him shares in the group?"

He sighed and said to Jason, "With my shares, you will be able to make decisions in the company. Don't worry, whatever you decide to do, I will support you. I'll make up for the lost years."

"Wow! Dad, that's so generous of you. What about me?" Isabella asked.

"You already have shares, my dear," Miles responded.

"But those are too little. I can't even sit on the board," Isabella pouted.

Miles was about to reply when Celeste gave her daughter a look and stated, "Let's not give your grandfather another reason to hate us. I'm satisfied with your brother being on the board. He will become successful and perhaps he will be better than his brother. All he needs is a chance and you've given it to him, Miles. Thank you."

"He's my son too and he deserves to sit at the board members' table too like his brother," Miles remarked, nodding slightly.

He was very happy to know that he had another son and giving him all he had was the only way he could make up for lost time.

##End of Flashback.##

Two weeks later...

Miles completed the transfer of shares and went to the conference room where the board members were having an emergency meeting.

He knew Jason had decided to compete with Ryan for the CEO position and although Miles didn't want his children to fight, his guilt towards Jason made him support whatever he wanted to do.

When he entered the room, he walked towards the table and announced, "Jason is now a major shareholder. I've transferred my shares to him."

The air in the room turned cold as Miles Kingsley's words echoed in the conference room.

Dead silence fell upon the place as the board members stared between Ryan and Jason, wondering what was happening.

Was Miles openly supporting his other son?

Ryan clenched his hands into fists as he glanced at his father with a stoic look.

"Why?" Ryan asked, his voice low and laced with anger. "Are you also hoping he takes over my CEO position?"

Miles looked at Ryan and said, "I gave him my shares because he's also my son and he deserves to be part of our group. As for the CEO position, I think it's ok that your brother wants to try it out.

Ryan's jaw tightened. He flipped the file open, scanning the documents. Sure enough, Jason was now the third largest shareholder of the Kingsley group since Miles had given him all of his shares.

A pang of pain shot through Ryan's heart. When his grandfather chose him to take over as CEO, Miles didn't support him this way. In fact, this caused the father and son to be at odds since Miles wasn't given a chance to run the company.

Ryan scoffed, placing the file on the table before getting to his feet. He remarked coldly, "I don't care what game you're playing, but this company will never belong to someone who just popped out of nowhere. I'm not going to give up may position or my wife. I hope that's clear."

With those words, Ryan strode out of the conference room.

Lawrence immediately followed him, asking, "Do you think they will drop this matter?"

"They can't do anything without my grandfather's approval. He still remains the biggest shareholder of the Kingsley group," Ryan replied, pulling at his tie in frustration. Seeing Jason today irritated him. This was because he knew this was not just about the company. The man was trying to create trouble for him because Lora rejected him. "But what if they get more shareholders on their side? They would gain more votes-"All content is © N0velDrama.Org.

"Don't worry about that. The ones with the most shares are on our side," Ryan said confidently as he entered his office.

"If you say so..." Lawrence replied. He stopped at the door and paused, looking like there was something on his mind. Ryan arched an eyebrow and asked, "What is it?"

Lawrence hesitated before replying, "Doctor Steve called when you were in the meeting, Sir."

Ryan nodded. He said, "I guess it's time for me to go on leave for treatment-"

"I'm afraid there's bad news, Sir," Lawrence reported.

Ryan raised his head sharply and asked, "What bad news?"

"There won't be any treatment, Sir," Lawrence answered. "The donor is missing."