As those entered into his ears, Charles's brows lifted from their original position.

"Who said this?

"

"All of your actions… aren't they the true example of saying that I have failed as a father to both of you?

" Shawn's words gave Charles sort of mixed feelings, which were hard to lay off on the table.

Turning around, his eyes fell on his father's lower-headed face who wasn't even looking at him.

Walking towards him, he sat on the front chair without tearing his gaze away for a mere second,

"I will never comment on this since this isn't my area to speak.

"

"But I can say that your actions were always against me and Javier. Either it is in the past, or right now…

"

Charles' words made the elder take a deep breath.

Finally, lifting his eyes, he peaked at his son who maintained the same stoic face,

"Is that so? So, you also hate me like your brother?

"

In return, he shook his head,

"No, I don't hate you. For Javier, things are complicated. I would advise you to not enforce your ways on him, otherwise, things will only result in worse.

"

"He is my son. I worry about his wellbeing and future.

" Shawn answered without taking a beep in the middle.

In return for this, Charles's eyes shone with a narrow glint,

"Is that so?

"

"As far as Emily's concerned, you are asking your son to get a girl pregnant without marrying her. Is that a duty of any good father?

" Charles's raised brows made Shawn feel slight discord.

He could sense that Charles had already seen through his actions, and there was no justification required anymore.

"I..I.. want Javier to marry Emily. He will have a promising career ahead of him.

" With this, Shawn brought the cup of tea near his mouth to move his eyes away from Charles who was constantly seeing him.

There was the thick silence that surfaced among them but none was interested in even breaking this.

Neither Charles nor Shawn initiated to talk.

But the words of each other were enough to make them understand that this matter needs to be handled with tender care. Otherwise, it might result in them losing their dear brother and son.

At last, Charles got up on his toes. With the keys of the car swinging in his fingers, he said,

"Take time and do not talk with Javier for now. It would be the best for you.

"

As he told this, taking a few steps back, Chalr6es left the cabin as well to go out of the mansion, leaving behind Shawn alone in the cabin.

Sitting in his place, a tired sigh escaped his lips when he massaged his temples with his closed eyes.

At the same time, the door of the cabin was once again opened.

"Charles, don't even talk w-

" without even opening his eyes, he muttered but then, a sweet voice centered into his ears,

"Honey, it's me…

"

Instantly, his eyes shot up straight to stare at the figure who appeared,

"What are you doing here, Shirley?

"

"I just saw both Javier and Charles walking out with a gloomy face.

" Saying this, she closed the door behind her properly. Going near her husband, she came behind his seat to keep her hands over his shoulders, to massage them with her soft hands.

"You are stressed.

"

"Are both the sons of mine not enough to understand what I wish for?

" As Shawn recalled their previous conversation, his mood started to turn even sourer.

He can't even believe that Javier was still the same, 'He hasn't changed even in the past years. Same pride and stubbornness..' In his accordance, Javier can't differentiate between right and wrong even till this age.

"But my dear, they are still your children. You are the head and the one who has experience. No matter how much they revoke you, this won't change the fact that you are the true Johnson leader.

" Shirley's words were instigative when she tried her best to express her bewitched plan, sounding like a worry to hear.

Shawn's lips were pressed into a straight line when he closed his eyes to feel Shirley's hand moving in sync to press his back,

"You.. are correct. I'm a leader but… Javier is upset.

"

"Javier is upset because he can't see what you can do. Emily will bring prosperity for us, not Jennifer.

"

Shirley's sole aim to get her lady out of this mansion was on the way to success.

Moreover, Shirley knew this too perfectly that this Jennifer Taylor was a threat, which needs to be removed as soon as possible. 'I have already managed to get Javier engaged with Emily. Hah! Just this bitch Jennifer is left..'

Her eyes shined with determination when she once again opened her mouth to say,

"Trust me. Contact Lucas and tell him to do things. Tell him we are ready for trade with the exchange system.

"

Shirley entirely spoke what she wanted to convey but this irked Shawn. A frown curved over his forehead when he lifted his head a bit to look at his back.

"Are you telling me what to do and what not to do?

" The voice of his contained a cold layer, making Shirley's smile, frozen.

Managing to hide the smirk in between, Shirley immediately shook her head,

"I..I.. never.. I mean..I will never say this to you. You have your own brilliant brain. W-why shall I..

"

"Good that you know your position.

" Came an answer from his side to make Shirley feel the uneasiness increasing between them. 'From where did this awkwardness arise?'

She was clueless but her heart never ached to manipulate him, either by hook or crook,

"w-what are you thinking about?

"

Sensing that he was in deep thoughts, she could conclude that he did consider what she said. As he kept his face in the laps of his palms, his mind wormed in all possible directions.

At last, Shawn finally muttered to make Shirley's smirk widen due to the joy.

"Alright, let us contact Lucas behind everyone's back…

"