Chapter 71

Daniel.

Being here brought back difficult memories, but I had resolved not to run away from the situation, no matter how exhausting it became.

It had been about three years since I last set foot in this place, and the memory of the huge fight with my father was still vivid in my mind.

I swore to myself that day I wouldn't return, no matter what.

I could still recall the hurtful words my father hurled at me during that encounter, leaving me feeling lost, confused, and betrayed by the man who was supposed to be my role model.

It all happened shortly after Rebecca called off our engagement. Despite knowing my father didn't approve of my relationship with her due to his longstanding feud with her father, I had chosen to be with Rebecca because I loved her, disregarding his opinion.

But things took a dark turn when Christina, someone I once trusted, drugged me and staged a false intimate scene between us. Taking advantage of the situation, my father bought shares of Rebecca's father's company, manipulated the board of directors against him, and eventually acquired the whole company, pushing Rebecca's father out as CEO.

I couldn't fathom how my father could go to such lengths, knowing how much I loved Rebecca and was about to marry her. His actions revealed a desire to assert his power and put Rebecca's family in their place, and I hated him for disregarding my feelings and pride in the process.

I confronted him about his madness, but he showed no remorse. Instead, he brazenly admitted that he didn't want the wedding to proceed, using his actions to avoid becoming in-laws with Rebecca's family.

Our argument escalated, and I made it clear that I would never return to this place or depend on him for anything if he didn't reinstate Rebecca's father as CEO. He refused, and I left with a firm determination to sever ties with him for the rest of my life.

I brushed away the cloud of thoughts and entered the familiar mansion. The servants who greeted me were strangers, but I wasn't surprised. My father's trust issues led him to change servants frequently, as he doubted even his own family members.

"Good afternoon, sir," a servant greeted me as I walked in.

Without acknowledging her, I quickly informed her of my intent to see my father and proceeded directly to his office. I knew he was home, as my brother had confirmed it earlier. As I made my way to the office, I heard someone call my name. I didn't need to turn around to recognize the voice—it was my mother. I reluctantly faced her, frustrated that I had to run into her.

Avoiding my mother was one of the reasons I hurried to see my father, and I wished it had happened after our conversation. Our relationship had never been close, and her rude, degrading, and arrogant behavior made it hard for me to tolerate her.

She often tried to take credit for my achievements, despite not contributing to my success in any way. The only thing I acknowledged her for was giving birth to me, but everything else I had accomplished was a result of my efforts, not hers.

"You can act as if you didn't see me, and I'll do the same, Mother," I told her bluntly, making it clear I had no desire to engage in pleasantries with her.

I felt a sense of urgency to express everything I needed to say to my father and escape this suffocating place as soon as possible. Engaging in conversation with my mother was the last thing I wanted, knowing she would attempt to talk endlessly and react to my earlier comment.

"Are you serious, Daniel? Is that how you're going to greet me after all this time? What kind of person have you become? How can you be so rude and disrespectful to your own mother?" she interrogated, causing me to release a frustrated sigh.

"If my attitude seemed rude, I apologize. However, let's not have any expectations regarding our interaction. You and I both know we have nothing to discuss, and there's no reason for us to exchange pleasantries," I replied, feigning nonchalance.

I hoped my indifferent demeanor would dissuade her from further conversation, prompting her to continue on her way without noticing me.

She scoffed. "It seems you've grown even more insolent since your last visit. I suppose you believe you no longer have to respect your parents now that you've made it on your own and are referred to as some billionaire, am I right?" she questioned, provoking an eye roll from me.

"Feel free to say whatever you want, but if you have nothing of importance to discuss, please don't waste my time with insults. I'm not in the mood to deal with you, and I have no desire to disrespect you any further than I already have," I subtly warned her, already on the edge of losing my temper.

The whole situation with Christina had already put me in a terrible mood, and being in this house only worsen it. All I wanted was to confront my father and put him in his place. If my mother failed to take the hint and continued to bother me, I might unleash my frustration on her before even reaching my father.

"I can't believe this is the man I once proudly called my son. I don't know what has gotten into you, but don't you dare behave this way in front of your father. Just in case you've forgotten, your success is still connected to our name, and don't think for a second that we can't take back what we've given you," she threatened, prompting me to exhale deeply, restraining myself from saying what I really wanted to say.

I had an overwhelming urge to respond to the nonsense she just spewed. I've always known they believe they are responsible for my success, even when they had no hand in it. It disgusts me that they think they can take credit for my achievements. Dealing with my parents' toxic attitude has been the worst part of my life.

I had hoped they would genuinely be proud of me and let me live my life independently, but instead, they clung to the idea of claiming credit for my accomplishments, fueling my hatred for them even more.

"If you were capable of fostering success in any of your other children, then I wouldn't be the only one known as a self-made billionaire in this family. Feel free to think whatever you want because your thoughts have never held any significance to me, and they never will. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have more important things to attend to than engaging in a conversation with you," I calmly replied, intending to walk away. However, she halted me.

"Don't you dare approach your father with that disrespectful attitude and assume you can treat him the way you just treated me? While you find it easy to disrespect me, always remember that your father and I are not the same. If you forget your place, he will remind you in a way you won't appreciate," she warned.

I chose not to waste my breath responding to her or even glance back in her direction. I cared little for anything she had just said. I intended to treat my father the same way I had treated her if he persisted in clinging to his foolish notions and failed to respect my autonomy.

I had grown tired of being the dutiful child, trying to respect my parents despite their undeserving nature. Since they refused to acknowledge my efforts to maintain peace and sanity within this dysfunctional family, I decided to demonstrate that I was no longer under their authority. Now, I would defend myself in every way possible.

Ascending the stairs towards my father's office, I scarcely paused and barged in without bothering to knock.

There, before me, stood the familiar face of the man I once trusted.