Gemotions

The phone call had come at the worst possible moment. He was mid-negotiation on a rare stamp collection, a deal that could secure his financial future. Then, the lawyer's voice. A half-brother.

The world seemed to tilt on its axis. He felt a jolt of anger. This was an affront to everything he had spent a lifetime building. All the careful planning, the investments, the sacrifices – threatened by a stranger. He ended the call abruptly, his hands shaking.

His mind raced, calculating percentages, potential losses. He ran his fingers over the smooth surface of the wooden desk, then slammed his fist on it. This Elias, this interloper, would not ruin everything. He would protect what was his.