Chapter 13
From William's Perspective:
"Hello, Dad..." I quickly pressed the answer button, my tone humble and ingratiating.
"You need to come home right now. Immediately."
My father Quinton Brown's stern, solemn voice came through the phone. Just hearing it made my whole body tense up involuntarily.
Quinton came from a military background and later built the Brown Group from scratch with his own hands.
In everyone's mind, he was a strategic business titan.
Everyone said that the Brown family's two sons, the eldest Matthew, perfectly inherited his strategic brilliance and tough exterior,
while I inherited my mother Harper Anderson's acting genes.
Not only did I have handsome features with a touch of feminine delicacy, but I also had real talent for acting, always wearing a smile that made it impossible for people to tell if I was genuinely happy or scheming.
That was how Layla described me during our first fight after marriage.
Deep down, I knew she was right. Harper and I were cut from the same cloth: all appearance, easily flustered when things went wrong, outwardly fierce but inwardly weak.
"I don't care what you're doing right now, come back immediately! And don't bother Layla, just you, come alone!"
On the phone, Quinton's voice was even more severe than usual, making my heart race with panic.
Quinton was the family's helmsman who never got involved in household matters. If something alarmed him, it had to be serious.
I figured the way I looked taking this call must have seemed pretty unmanly, otherwise Layla wouldn't be looking at me with such contempt and disdain.
But I couldn't worry about saving face right now. My tone was awkward. "Dad, what's going on? Why are you calling me back so late? Look, it's already dark out, maybe I could..."
"William, do my words not matter anymore?"
"No, no, that's not it, Dad. I'll come right now."
Even after the call ended, Quinton's stern, solemn voice still echoed in my ears.
"Dad's calling me home. You stay put here. I've got bodyguards outside watching, so don't try to run." After saying this, I didn't dare look at Layla's mocking expression and drove off without looking back.
Half an hour later, I drove back to the Brown Mansion. Before even entering the courtyard, I could sense danger in the air.
I cautiously entered the house and peeked into the living room to see Matthew sitting there. I quickly asked in a low voice, "Why are you here too? Did Dad call you?"
"Dad's waiting for you in the study." Matthew sat with his legs crossed, looking down at documents on his phone, not answering my question.
I was used to this by now.
The relationship between Matthew and me had always been like that between a teacher and a problem student since childhood.
Matthew always thought I was too simple-minded and immature. After I got married, his lectures only increased, pushing our relationship to an all-time low.
"Mom, do you know why Dad called me here?"
Seeing Matthew's cold attitude, I turned my attention to Harper coming down from the second floor.
Harper's expression looked troubled. She pulled me to a corner and whispered, "Your dad found out about Olivia."
"What? How did he find out? Did Layla tell on me?"
"I'm not sure either. He was fine this afternoon, then suddenly started losing his temper in the study."
"You'd better go up and talk to your dad properly. Worst case, just tell him you and Layla aren't getting along and you're already going through divorce proceedings; that it's not cheating during marriage."
"No way, Mom. Didn't I tell you? I absolutely won't divorce Layla."
"If you don't say that, just wait to get yelled at by your dad. Because of your mess, I just got called in and lectured too!"
"Let him yell then. I'm still not divorcing Layla."
"You! What's going on in that head of yours? I really don't know what spell Layla's put on you to make you so devoted to her. I think that Olivia is pretty good; at least she's a famous designer who could help your career."
At this point, Harper glanced at Matthew sitting calmly on the sofa, then lowered her voice. "I'm telling you, if you insist on staying with Layla, watch out, you might end up with nothing!"
"Mom, stop it. I'll talk to Dad myself. Even if I broke the family rule this time, Olivia's carrying the Brown family's child. I don't believe Dad won't acknowledge that child!" I took a deep breath, mentally preparing myself, and walked toward the study with heavy steps.
The Brown family had one rule: no cheating. My father especially despised mistresses.
This was because years ago, my grandfather used to keep mistresses outside while my grandmother and father struggled at home. Later, my grandmother washed clothes for others in the dead of winter just to raise my father.
Eventually, when my grandfather ran out of money, he brought his mistress home and made my grandmother serve them.
When my grandmother refused, my grandfather and his mistress beat her to death, then fled that same night.
From that point on, fifteen-year-old Quinton had to take care of his two younger brothers.
Sohe hated cheaters extremely.
I could already picture the storm I was about to face.
I pushed open the study door. I'd just opened my mouth, hadn't even made a sound, when a cup came flying at my face.
Luckily, I reacted quickly and dodged to the side, barely avoiding it.
"William, do you remember how I raised you?"
"I do."
"You know, and you still dared to do this? You've disappointed me so much!" Quinton looked at me with that look of disappointment in someone who was failed to live up to expectations.
After a long silence, Quinton said sternly, "I thought since you got married first, you must be responsible. But looking at what you've done, I really can't trust your abilities."
"Starting today, I'm revoking your inheritance rights. From now on, you'll be just like any regular employee at the company, with no special treatment."
"Dad! Olivia and I, it's not what you think. I just... I only..."
Hearing about losing my inheritance rights, I panicked instantly and tried to explain.
But the words stuck in my throat; I didn't dare to continue.
I couldn't exactly say I cheated just to get Olivia to have a child, could I?
That would cross Quinton's bottom line even more, and I'd definitely get beaten severely.
"Enough, I don't want to hear your excuses. Get out. If Layla wants to divorce you, give her all the properties and savings under your name and leave with nothing. That's what you owe Layla."
Once Quinton made a decision in this family, no one could change it.
I immediately said anxiously, "Dad, I can't divorce Layla. I swear, this is the last time. I'll send Olivia abroad tomorrow!"
"Whether you divorce or not, it's no use talking to me about it. You need to talk to Layla and get her to forgive you!"
The disappointment in Quinton's eyes cut deep.
He waved his hand, not even willing to give me another glance, and dismissed me.
Coming to the living room, I hesitantly sat down next to Matthew and said ingratiatingly, "Dad likes you best. Can you put in a good word for me?"
"You crossed Dad's bottom line. Not even God can help you."
"I know I was wrong, but I have no feelings for Olivia at all. She's just a toy to me. Can't I just break it off with her tomorrow and send her away?"
At these words, Matthew frowned, his sharp gaze fixed on me, making my heart race with fear.