Chapter 242

Chapter 242
Lily's POV
I handed him the report. Samuel took it, quickly scanned through, then violently threw it to the floor.
"What does this prove? Reports can be falsified!" His voice trembled slightly, as if even he didn't believe his own words.
Samuel took a deep breath, looking at Yale with eyes that mixed both intensity and coldness: "Why have you come back now, after all this time?"
I could feel the suppressed anger and confusion in his tone.
For twenty years, he had believed his parents were dead, and now his father suddenly appeared—this was an enormous shock for him.
Yale stepped forward, trying to take Samuel's hand, but Samuel dodged away: "Samuel, I made a terrible mistake. Your mother died in that car accident, and I was badly injured. I had no choice. I thought you could have a good life with the Sterling family, so I left you there. I never imagined..."
"Never imagined I would break ties with the Sterling family? Now you can't accept that, so you've finally shown yourself, is that it?" Samuel interrupted him, cutting straight to the point.
Yale paused briefly, then nodded, confirming Samuel's guess. His expression showed deep remorse and self-blame.
Yale continued explaining: "Samuel, our car accident wasn't Walter's fault. It happened because I was running from debts..."
This truth was completely opposite to what Samuel had believed all along.
He had always believed Walter was responsible for his parents' deaths, but now Yale was telling him that wasn't the case.
"So what? Mother's death still has something to do with Walter!" Samuel refused to accept this explanation, still blaming Walter.
Hearing this, Yale's tone immediately grew serious: "Samuel! You must learn gratitude. Walter raised you for so many years, even provided you with such a good education. You can't treat the Sterling family this way!"
This was the first time I'd heard Yale speak in such a stern voice.
Previously, he had always appeared gentle and polite, but faced with his son's lack of understanding, he chose a direct approach.
"You think I'll forgive them just because you said so? That's ridiculous. I hate them not just because they supposedly killed you both, but for all the grievances I've suffered since childhood, everything I've lost. I won't forget any of it, and I'll take it all back!"
Samuel had lost all rationality by this point. With reddened eyes and clenched fists, he clearly refused to accept the truth. His emotions were completely out of control, his voice filled with resentment.
"Samuel, what grievances have you suffered?" I asked with a frown, confused.
"I really don't understand. The Sterling family has always been so good to him. Why does he harbor such deep hatred?"
Samuel gave me a cold look without answering my question. He seemed to realize he had said too much.
"No matter what you say, I will never forgive the Sterling family." Samuel looked back at Yale, his eyes full of hatred and disappointment: "And I'll never forgive you either!"
With that, he stormed out, slamming the door shut with a loud bang.
Yale collapsed onto the floor, tears streaming down his face: "It's all my fault, all my fault..."
I quickly helped him up, consoling him: "Yale, I told you before, Samuel's thinking has been somewhat twisted since childhood. It's understandable that you couldn't persuade him."
Yale sighed deeply: "I am his biological father. That fact won't change. I'll find him and talk to him properly again."
After saying this, he left as well, leaving only William and me. I felt deeply tired. The entire office fell into silence, broken only by occasional car horns from outside.
"William, how did Samuel end up like this?" I couldn't help asking, puzzled.
William's answer surprised me: "Growing up in a wealthy family like this, it's common to develop some competitive tendencies. I was the same as a child."
Hearing this, I became instantly interested.
"So you're saying that as a child, you were secretly upset when you couldn't measure up to others?"
He turned toward the window, gazing at the distant skyline, seemingly recalling past events.
"When I was young, there were five children in the family. I was the most outstanding one, with Henry and Michael always following me around. Then Thomas, possibly out of jealousy, would tell our parents that I was misbehaving at school, bullying classmates and teachers, not studying properly. This would get me punished with no dinner."
"I never would have guessed Thomas was so devious as a child."
William looked at me with a reproachful expression. "You're actually enjoying this."
"Ahem, he was too much! Please continue, I promise not to laugh... unless I can't help it."
"Then, after midnight when everyone was asleep, Samuel would secretly bring me food, afraid I might go hungry."
"It seems Samuel was still very kind back then."
William shook his head.
"But actually, it was all Samuel's doing."
I was shocked.
"He brought you food, didn't he? Why would he..."
"I'm not sure either. I always thought it was Thomas's doing, otherwise why would he always mock me? But I asked him once, and he said it wasn't him," William continued explaining Samuel's childhood behavior, his brow slightly furrowed.
I looked skeptical: "Maybe he was lying?"
"From what I know of Thomas, he does seem to enjoy seeing William embarrassed."
"No, Thomas may speak harshly and enjoy others' misfortune, but he never lies. When he lies, the tips of his ears turn red—he can't hide it for even three seconds."
William spoke with an understanding of his brother and a hint of resignation.
I thought about it and realized he was right. Thomas, with his intelligence, was likely being manipulated by Samuel all along.
Last year, I specifically asked Thomas if Noah Brown's actions had been arranged by him.
At that time, I had always thought Thomas wanted to remove William from the CEO position.
But Thomas told me he knew nothing about it.
Combined with subsequent events, I realized he was just a child craving attention, especially from his parents.
Particularly when Thomas voluntarily left Sterling Group, I completely changed my view of him.
I gradually understood the truth: "So Samuel has actually been jealous of you since childhood. This time, his break with the Sterling family wasn't really because Walter caused his parents' death—it was due to long-standing resentment, right?"
"That's what I think too. So Samuel's reconciliation with the Sterling family probably has something to do with Smith Group and might be harmful to the Sterling family."
"Have you told Walter to be cautious?" I asked worriedly, since Walter had always treated Samuel as his own son.
"It wouldn't help. After all, he raised Samuel from childhood. Even if Samuel truly harmed him, he wouldn't hate him."
William sighed, his tone reflecting a deep understanding of his father's character.
"Then we should be prepared. We can't let Samuel set his sights on Walter," I said firmly, determined to protect this kind elder.
William suddenly displayed a mischievous smile: "What's this? You're not even married in yet and you're so concerned. You must love me terribly."
His comment made me blush. He was increasingly fond of teasing me this way.
"Love your big head, I'm concerned about Walter. After all, Walter has been so good to me. I don't want anything to happen to him," I retorted, feigning annoyance.