How could there be no hatred?
Asher shed a tear, “Nora, I detest power struggles more than anyone, but I must use power to achieve my goal. I have to seek justice for my father.”
For years, hatred propelled him forward.
I understood his struggles and hugged him, “Asher, you’ve worked hard.”
All this was revealed during a casual chat between the First Lady and the Second Young Master when she was still alive.
Back then, Asher was just a driver, burying all his hatred deep inside.
Over the years, he endured humiliation and eventually became the tycoon’s confidant.
“Griffin, check out my new sports car!”
Today is the tycoon’s birthday, and everyone is gathered.
The Third Young Master stepped out of a Ferrari, laughing at Asher.
Asher stood with his hands behind his back, “Indeed, not bad. Your taste is improving, worthy of being the one the old man… favors.”
The pause in his words was full of implication.
They exchanged a knowing smile.
“The Second Brother’s scandal is causing a stir. Everyone in the company is talking, saying he’s useless.”
The Third Young Master grew more excited as he spoke.
Asher’s lips curled slightly, “Looks like someone’s wish is coming true.”
Their conversation wasn’t for me, so I found a BBQ stand in the courtyard and zoned out.
As I pondered when I might eat, a warm breath brushed my ear, “Hungry? Want me to take you out for a bite?”
I smiled and nudged his arm, but my gaze suddenly landed on a maid not far away.
Why did she walk so strangely?
“Sister, I missed you so much.”
While setting the plates for us, she suddenly looked up and smiled at me.
I was stunned–Celeste!
While I was distracted, she quickly pulled a knife from her waist and held it to my throat, “Nora Violet, look at your extravagant attire now. All this was built with money, right? Guess what kind of life I’m living?”
Her voice was full of resentment, “Do you know I had to kill an innocent maid just to sneak in? They died because of you.”
As she spoke, the knife pressed closer to my skin.
Feeling the sting on my neck, I frowned.
“Celeste, if you leave now, I might consider sparing your life.”
For once, Asher’s calm demeanor cracked.
But my sister wasn’t a fool; she laughed hysterically, “Don’t lie to me. From the moment I took action. I knew if I failed there would only be one
1:21 PM
<
path for me–death!”
“Why can she marry a handsome, wealthy man while I have to be hidden away forever? I’m not willing! Clearly, the Second Young Master was willing to marry me, but you all ruined my life!”
“If I’m destined to die, I’ll take you with me!”
As the knife grazed my neck, a bullet pierced through her chest.
It was the protection Asher had given me.
She coughed up blood, the bullet not fatal, and fell weakly to the ground, “Sister!”
Asher immediately ordered the bodyguards to tie her up.
I looked at her coldly, “Don’t call me sister. I don’t have a sister like you.”
She writhed on the ground, her eyes filled with a hatred that could burn me to ashes.
“Luckily, it’s just a scratch.”
After checking my wound, Asher finally breathed a sigh of relief.
“Celeste, since you always thought the Second Young Master was your true love, how about I reunite you two today?”
I smiled slightly.
Asher gave me a complex look but said nothing.
A few minutes later, the Second Young Master arrived with his bodyguards.
They stuffed my sister into his car and drove her into the mansion.
The banquet officially began, with the tycoon introducing connections and resources alongside the Third Young Master, while the Second Young Master followed closely.
The harmonious scene didn’t last long.
Suddenly, the Third Young Master stumbled out, panicked, “Call the police! There’s poison in the drinks! Dad and Second Brother…”
Before he could finish, he collapsed, unconscious.
The Second Wife turned pale, “Quick! Investigate thoroughly! Call a doctor now! Why are you all standing around?!”
Bodyguards carried the Second Young Master into a bedroom, the faint scent of blood spreading inside.
It wasn’t until nightfall that the butler, exhausted, approached the Second Wife, “Madam, prepare yourself mentally”
Behind him were three bloody corpses.
The first was the tycoon, his body covered in vomited blood, like a blood–soaked rag, beyond saving.
The second body, judging by the figure, was a woman, clutching half a packet of poison tightly in her hand, likely the one who tampered with
the drinks.
The third was the Second Young Master, barely breathing, his lower body stained red, utterly ruined.
The Second Wife’s lips twitched, barely holding back her laughter.
To her, her son’s biggest rival was now in this state.
Her husband was dead too, so who else could be the best heir to the business but her son?
This decade–long battle ended with the Second Young Master becoming a eunuch.
1:21 PM
<
Before he could finish, he collapsed, unconscious.
The Second Wife turned pale, “Quick! Investigate thoroughly! Call a doctor now! Why are you all standing around?!”
Bodyguards carried the Second Young Master into a bedroom, the faint scent of blood spreading inside.
It wasn’t until nightfall that the butler, exhausted, approached the Second Wife, “Madam, prepare yourself mentally”
Behind him were three bloody corpses.
The first was the tycoon, his body covered in vomited blood, like a blood–soaked rag, beyond saving.
The second body, judging by the figure, was a woman, clutching half a packet of poison tightly in her hand, likely the one who tampered with
the drinks.
The third was the Second Young Master, barely breathing, his lower body stained red, utterly ruined.
The Second Wife’s lips twitched, barely holding back her laughter.
To her, her son’s biggest rival was now in this state.
Her husband was dead too, so who else could be the best heir to the business but her son?
This decade–long battle ended with the Second Young Master becoming a eunuch.
All the shareholders who once supported him changed their stance.
After all, no one could let a half–man, half–woman become the chairman.
But the Second Young Master’s uncle remained adamant, insisting he inherit the family business.
As everyone argued, Asher suddenly pulled out a stack of documents, reading them aloud.
The tycoon had known about his health issues for a while and was merely holding on.
Citing the Second Young Master’s lack of virtue as a reason, he passed the company inheritance to the Third Young Master.
Previously, due to the uncle’s presence, the tycoon never dared to reveal this will.
But now, with the uncle gone, there was nothing to fear.
All the shareholders who once supported the Second Young Master have shifted their loyalties.
No one is comfortable with someone of ambiguous gender identity leading the company. However, the Second Young Master’s uncle was resolute, insisting on passing the family business to him.
During the heated debate, Asher Williams took out a stack of documents and read them aloud to the group. It turned out that the Billionaire had been aware of his deteriorating health for some time and had been living on borrowed time. He decided to transfer the company inheritance rights to the Third Young Master, citing the Second Young Master’s perceived lack of moral character. Previously, the Billionaire was hesitant to make this will public due to the uncle’s influence. But with the uncle’s absence, there was no longer any reason to be afraid. Even though the uncle holds significant shares in the company, he cannot legally alter another’s will.
On the day of the Billionaire’s funeral, the Third Young Master became the chairman of the company. Asher also took over as the largest shareholder, replacing the uncle.
The following year, past controversies surrounding Mayor Asher came to light and were resolved. At his grave, Asher and I knelt together:
“Father, your son and daughter–in–law have arrived late.”
Fallen leaves settled on our shoulders, and I brushed them away for him.
From that moment until our last days, we never spent more than three days apart. In this way, two kindred spirits found solace in each other.