"Dude, you're here?" Karl remarked, approaching Roderick with a glass of whiskey in hand. His tone carried both surprise and curiosity as he sank into the lounge chair beside him. "Weren't you supposed to be at your grandfather's birthday party?"
Roderick leaned back as he took slow sips of the alcohol from the glass he was holding. "Don't start, Karl. I'm not in the mood for small talk."
Karl raised an eyebrow but said nothing further, sensing the tension.
Moments later, Maxwell strolled over, his phone still in hand, the glow from its screen lighting up his face. He stopped in his tracks before plopping down into the chair opposite Roderick.
"What the hell is going on, man?" Maxwell began, his voice incredulous. "I just saw the news—your aunt is the new chairwoman of the De Salvo Group? I thought you were next in line for that! Did your grandfather actually cut you out?" He chuckled, though his humor was poorly timed. "Damn, man. That's gotta sting."
