Bedmates Soulmates
CHAPTER 190

"Yes, Boss.

Without knocking, Austyn pushed open the mahogany door and walked in.

The study, like every other room in the mansion, was overdecorated and ostentatious.

Henry McCarthy did not believe in keeping a low profile.

He flaunted his wealth and power with a blatantness that would have made the robber barons blush.

Austyn stopped at the sight of the man lounging in a black leather recliner with his eyes closed.

A woman was kneeling in front of him with her back to Austyn.

When she heard footsteps, she hurriedly stood and zipped up Master McCarthy's pants before straightening out her own clothes.

Her lipstick was smudged.

Henry McCarthy opened his eyes, ready to rebuke whoever had the impudence to disturb him.

A trace of surprise flashed across the fifty-year-old's face when he saw Austyn standing in his study.

His firstborn son had stayed away from Cedarwood for years.

'Holly, leave us.' Henry's voice was low and gravelly.

"Yes, Master McCarthy.'

The woman bowed her head and left quickly.

Austyn strolled over and stopped in front of the African blackwood table.

He sneered. 'Sebastian told me you're busy. I thought he was talking about work. Guess I was wrong."

A look of annoyance flitted across Henry's face at the disrespectful remark.

But he just pointed to an armchair opposite his. 'Sit down. I haven't seen you in a while. Let's catch up."

'I'm not here to catch up or bond with you."

Austyn leaned against the wall with his arms folded across his chest.

Henry picked up the teacup on a coffee table next to him and took a leisurely sip.

'Are you here to tell me about your brother?"

Liam's return to Stamford had not escaped his notice.

Austyn gave a short, mirthless laugh. "My last name's McCarthy. His is Cane. We're not brothers."

He scanned the capacious room stuffed with bookcases and precious antiques.

The aircon was running at full blast, but the room still felt stuffy and suffocating-

"And I would not have been a McCarthy if not for Mom,' Austyn said.

When he reached legal age, Austyn had wanted to take his mother's last name, but Charlotte got upset and strongly opposed the idea.

So he had to bear the McCarthy name and all the ignominy that came with it.

Henry McCarthy was a powerful man, revered in some circles and deeply loathed in others.

He also made powerful enemies.

Being a McCarthy opened doors for Austyn, but also subjected him to a prodigious amount of hostility.

Henry slammed the cup down on its saucer.

Dark amber liquid sloshed out.

'Is that any way to talk to your father? Where are your manners?"

Austyn shrugged. Like father, like son."

'Austyn McCarthy!"

Henry took a deep breath.

He set down the teacup. "How's your mother? I wanted to visit her the other day, but she wouldn't let me."

'You're the one who put her in the hospital. Why would she want to see her torturer?"

Austyn gnashed his teeth.

The man had no right to mention Mom.

Henry narrowed his eyes.

No one dared talk to him like that.

No one who was still alive.