Page 75 of Crude Heir

His eyes widen as he finally sees me barreling down on him. He retreats behind a chair, looking shocked that Addler isn’t coming to his rescue.

I pull back my arm and swing, my fist connecting with a solid, satisfying punch. Simon goes down, and I follow. The second blow, fueled by anger, is just as good.

“Do something, you idiot,” he demands of Addler, from where he’s curled into a fetal position. “This animal is trying to kill me.” He tips over the chair, scrambling to cower behind the next one, and eventually moving behind his father.

“Of course,” Addler replies smoothly. “I’d be happy to hold you down if Derrick feels he needs a hand.” His tone is dry, but his message is clear—no man tolerates insults to his mother.

“Derrick, please.” It’s my mother’s voice that halts me, her plea for calm cutting through my rage. I stand there, anger coursing through me, the urge to defend her honor wrestling with the need to keep the peace.

“Derrick.” Nicole’s gentle tug on my arm brings me back to my senses.

Simon’s face contorts in shock, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. “You’re animals...” he stammers, looking from the blood he’s just wiped away from his mouth to Keith, “you’re all a bunch of animals!”

“Get up.” Bill steps in to help him to his feet.

“Look at this.” He holds out the bloody wrist again. “This is why he needs to go,” Simon cries, “Why he doesn’t deserve to get anything.”

“Simon.” Keith turns on his son, his voice low and dangerous. “None of this is an excuse for your thievery,” he says, the accusation hanging heavy in the air.

Simon? He’s the thief? But he’s the heir apparent. Why would he steal from himself? I catch Nicole staring in disbelief, outof the corner of my eye. I’m focused on my mother’s shocked expression. She didn’t know, either.

The room falls deathly silent, every eye on Simon, waiting for his response to the damning allegation. His hostile glare fixes on me, full of resentment, the void between us growing even larger.

He turns to Keith. “You’re going to tell me you aren’t planning to givehimpart of the company?” he practically spits at me. “Admit it!”

Keith stands his ground, his voice unwavering. “Kelly Oil and its assets are mine, not yours, Simon. This company, which I built with my own hands, will be dealt with as I see fit,” he states, authority echoing every statement.

“Admit it, you bastard,” he says, turning on Keith. “You gave your…bastard, what’s mine.”

“There’s no question of his parentage, boy,” Keith blusters. “Derrick is 100 percent my son. He’s had a trust since before he came into the world.”

I can only grind my teeth at the fact he’s done that, but this isn’t the moment to tackle that conversation.

“Right now, his accounts have more than yours,” Keith announces. Simon’s back stiffens. “Because while you’ve taken money, even before this mess, Derrick hasn’t touched his accounts. Even now, that he knows what he has.” Keith looks up, sadness in his gaze. “He won’t take anything that’s rightfully his.”

“Simon,” she addresses him. “Please, your father’s not well.”

Simon scoffs, his disdain palpable. “As if I would listen to your, your...lover,” he sneers, thinking better of his word choice.

“She is my lover,” Keith interjects, not shying away from his feelings. “She’s the love of my life, the only one by my side through thick or thin,” he says, a subtle softness entering his voice as he speaks of my mother.

“You bastard.” Simon’s words drip with loathing. “You only—”

“It’s time for you to leave, Simon.” Keith cuts him off, his gaze steady.

He pushes past Keith, stopping when he catches sight of Nicole. “And you.” He turns to her. Instinctively, I step in front of her, trying to shield her in case he was to make another stupid move. “You little thief. You can’t have any of it.” He points at his chest.

“Shut the fuck up, Simon.” Not that I think it’ll stop him.

“I know,” he says, spouting venom. “Nicole, the real Nicole, is dead.”

Silence descends upon the room as Nicole leans into me, having lost all strength in her body. I immediately wrap my arms around her, holding her against me.

Keith, undeterred, repeats his command. “Leave, Simon.”

“Let’s go, Simon,” Bill snaps.

Simon retreats, turning to Bill with a haughty stare. “You’re fired.”

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