Chapter 114 Her Breakdown

Chapter 114 Her Breakdown
“Oh… my brother…”

Uncle Andrew's quiet sobbing echoed in the study. His head resting against Vince’s shoulder who was supporting him. 

He was wretched upon the loss of his brother-alike friend, tears streaming down his face. 

“Oh… How could this have happened?” Aunt Dolly was hugging my mother, rubbing her back for comfort.

I witnessed the sight from afar, inclined in my seat. Holding my elbow, observing everything carefully while finding myself too lonely.

“Who did this?” Uncle Andrew cried, pulling away a little.

My father’s lifelong best friend—and Vince’s own uncle—looked completely devastated. 

His tie was loosened, his face pale with grief as he walked over and slumped into the chair opposite us.

“It was an accident. The man is in custody but it wasn’t his fault either.” Vince paused, glancing back at me with a compassionate glance.

“He was the one who appeared before the truck. And the storm, it was too high as well.” 

“Why would he do that?” He asked in a broken voice, “What happened to him?”

“We don’t know.” Vince lied, as flawlessly as he ever had to me and everyone.

“He's really gone, Vince,” Andrew choked out, putting his face in his hands as a painful sob escaped him. 

“Arthur... my dearest friend. We built everything together. I can't believe he's gone.”

Vince stood up, walking over to pour his uncle a glass of scotch, his expression solemn. 

“Uncle Andrew. Drink this.”

Andrew took the glass with trembling hands, swallowing it in one gulp before looking up at Vince with fierce, pleading eyes. 

“You have to step up now, Vince. You're the only one who can handle the Whitlock board.” His voice was pleading.

I froze. 

After my father, the only person considered capable of handling the future was the… Son-in-law. 

Not the daughter, but her husband.

I stood still, my eyes narrowing.

Why couldn’t I do it? I was handling my shares too.

“You must protect my best friend's legacy.” He slowly turned to my mother.

“He has given half of his property to Alyssa and half to Janessa.” His eyes softened.

“Don't let the vultures tear down what he built. You must ensure Alyssa’s mother won’t have a troubled life.”

“Yes, Uncle. I will make sure of it.” 

Vince gave a slow nod as my hands curled in a fist but was impotent to interfere or tell them to stop.  

Andrew's gaze then shifted to me, his eyes softening with raw emotion, speaking with his uttermost sincerity.

“And cherish Alyssa…” 

I flinched, the rage fading instantly.

I didn’t know how to react anymore.

Tears filled his eyes again, “She is all that is left of him. Take care of his girl, Vince. Promise me."

Vince stood tall, his jaw tightening as he gave a firm nod. 

“I will, Uncle. You have my word.”

I sat in the corner, watching the two of them discuss my father's empire and my own future as if I were a piece of property passed between them. 

“His legacy is yours now, son.”

“I know.” He glanced back at me. “And I will protect it.” 

The absolute hypocrisy of it all choked me. 

I stood up abruptly, the legs of my chair scraping harshly against the floorboards.

"Alyssa?" Vince called out, turning to face me.

I didn't answer him, I couldn’t. Not after hearing what he did.

I didn't look at Andrew.

I did not want to invite talks and looked down.

“Excuse me. I need to be alone.”

I just turned on my heel and walked straight out of the room, leaving the legacy and the lies far behind me.

But it wasn’t far when I heard Vince, “It’s alright, she is heartbroken.”

“I can understand…” 

Gritting my teeth, I didn’t want to hear more how he would convince everyone of his goodness and rushed back to the room

I slammed the door shut and leaned against it, my chest heaving as tears of sheer frustration burned my eyes.

“Alyssa…” 

​The lock opened a second later. 

Vince entered the room, his expression carefully controlled, though the dark intensity in his eyes gave him away.

“​Alyssa, you shouldn't have walked out on Uncle Andrew like that,” he said softly.

Keeping his voice strictly measured–to respect my mourning at the very least—as he approached me. 

“He is grieving.”

“​And what about me, Vince?!” I shrieked, throwing the item on the vanity away with my hands clenching into fists at my sides. 

“What about what I'm feeling?!” ​

I glared at him, losing my composure.

“You are out there being a hero while being the very reason I had to leave the mansion I called my home.” 

“I know you're hurting—”

​"No, you don't!" I yelled bitterly, lips quivering with a rage I failed to control. 

"You stand there making promises to your uncle about protecting my father's legacy and 'cherishing' me.” 

Stopping right before him, I could feel his control snapping still pointed a disdainful finger at him.

“While being a man who only cared for his selfish purpose and ruined the people around him with lies.” 

​Vince let out a slow breath, visibly forcing his shoulders to drop. 

“Uncle was his best friend. He is trying to make sense of the loss. I am taking care of business so you don't have to.”

​”I don't care about the business! I don't care about his legacy!” I screamed.

“He neglected me my entire life! He threw me away when I needed him most!” 

Taking another step toward him, throwing all my grief and rage directly into his face. 

“And now everyone is weeping for the great Arthur Whitlock while you pretend to be my noble savior!”

“I am trying to protect you, Alyssa,” Vince repeated, his tone still calm, and maddeningly superior. 

“You are unstable right now. You are not thinking clearly.” 

“My thinking had nothing to do with the lies you told me, Vince Lysander!" 

I shoved his chest with all my strength. He barely swayed, which only made me angrier. I shoved him again. 

“You built my misery! You create my entire downfall! And now you stand here acting like you have the right to manage my life?!”

“Alyssa, calm down—”

“I hate you!” I yelled, tears streaming down my face. 

“I hate you, I hate my father, and I hate every single lie you've ever told me! I wish I had never met you!”

​That was it. The invisible thread snapped.

​Vince’s calm demeanor shattered into absolute dust. 

His eyes darkened, fury washed over his features as he grabbed both of my wrists, pinning them between me with an iron grip.

“ENOUGH, ALYSSA!”