Chapter 162 Madmen Live the Clearest

Ronald's face darkened as he squinted at Laura and smirked.

"I thought you were completely nuts, but it turns out you see things clearer than anyone. I really misjudged you."

"No, I really am crazy. Even I think I'm crazy, Dad." Laura replied.

"You're just trying to cover it up."

Ronald chuckled, confident despite his children's betrayal. He knew their nature well.

Laura blinked, glanced at Ronald, and said calmly, "It's hard to figure someone out when you don't know their motives or limits. But I know your motives and your ruthless methods. You're not that complicated. Actually, you're pretty boring."

Ronald frowned. For a moment, he felt that the Laura he had raised was becoming unfathomable. How could someone so erratic, living in her own world, say such things?

No, he thought. Laura had hidden her relationship with Douglas. Could this madwoman be hiding more secrets?

Ronald looked at her deeply and said, "I really misjudged you. I thought Frank was the most like me, but it's actually you."

Laura's face remained expressionless. She glanced at the sorrowful Erica and gently squeezed her hand.

"Power is seductive. Once you rise to the top, men grovel at your feet, eager to please, trading their pride for favor. When you tire of men, women become interesting. They, like you, will do anything to achieve their goals, using their bodies as tools. Take Anna, for example. She truly enjoys it. The feeling of controlling everything, controlling others' fates, is exhilarating."

"You dare criticize them? Aren't you the same? You even had relations with your own brother, you lunatic!" Ronald roared.

Erica gasped, her eyes wide with innocence as she looked at Laura.

"That was your order, Dad. Shouldn't I follow it?" Laura said.

Ronald replied, "I didn't tell you to kill Douglas! Disobedient children must be punished. Joseph was an example!"

Laura's face was calm as she thought for a moment and sighed.

"I didn't hide it from you. You just never asked. No one ever asked me. Only Alan noticed something. He said Douglas and I looked alike, so I told him Douglas was my brother."

"Would you have answered if I asked?"

"Yes." Laura answered bluntly. "I would have told you I didn't know Douglas."

Ronald laughed angrily, coughing. "You never respected me, right?"

"Correct. I can't understand how a man with such means, determination, and resilience could be driven by such a ridiculous reason. It's a cliché even in bad dramas. I can't respect that." Laura said calmly.

Erica, already in tears, gently held Laura's arm. She was a visionary CEO—but to these children, she was just a woman haunted by regret.

She had been completely deceived by Ronald, whooften told her the children were happy in the orphanage and brought her letters supposedly from them. Busy with her career, she visited the old steel mill less and less.

She believed in Ronald, an honest, reliable man who wouldn't succumb to power and profit. With Ronald there, she felt she was there too.

Erica's proudest achievements had nothing to do with money. The first was giving birth to Zoey, and the second was founding the welfare center.

After the fire, with charred bodies, collapsed buildings, and black smoke, her heart shattered.

Joseph was poisoned, Mike was shot, Tom had an eye gouged out, Duke died of an overdose, Lally was left alone, Laura killed her brother Douglas, and Bob lost his mind.

If only she had checked on the children, if only she hadn't trusted Ronald completely, if only they had never met, if only that night after high school had never happened.

Over the years, she had suspected the mastermind behind it all, but thoughts of Zoey and memories of the resilient, self-reliant boy she once knew made her avoid the truth, finding excuses for herself.

Even though they were divorced, she still deeply loved this man.

In this world, there were no second chances, only harsh realities, indescribable pain, and heartbreak.

Suddenly, she collapsed into Laura's arms, sobbing. Ronald remained silent. Laura hesitated, then gently placed her hand on Erica's head, comforting her softly.

After a long while, Erica stood up, tidied her hair, and regained her composure. The formidable businesswoman seemed to return in that moment.

"Let's go, Laura. We're going home."

She held Laura's hand, trying to pull her up, but Laura didn't move.

Erica glanced at Ronald and said calmly, "Take care of yourself. He can't do anything to you."

Laura quietly freed her hand from Erica's grip and sighed. "You go. I can't go back."

Ronald smirked, a triumphant, satisfied laugh that grew louder, echoing through the basement.

"She's waiting for someone, and so am I." Ronald said smugly. 

As long as Laura was here, Frank would come. And if Frank came, Alan would too.

These children were like a string of bells, always colliding but ultimately connected. They had no blood ties, but their bond was stronger than blood.

This was his final strategy, binding these children together with their shared loyalty.

If one of them ever betrayed, capturing one would bring the others back.

"You guessed wrong. I'm waiting for Alan."

Ronald was stunned, staring at Laura for a long time.

"Frank did so much for you. Even now, you have no feelings for him?"

Laura didn't answer directly, only saying, "Alan promised to write a script for me. A ten-year promise. He remembers, and so do I."

"You and Frank..." Erica asked in surprise.

"It's over."

Laura's eyes were empty, and a tear fell unnoticed.