Chapter 4

The old man’s face twisted up in greed. He was just about to agree when he hesitated and said in a pained voice, “Conway is busy with some big business. I’ll have to ask him first.”

I smirked and was just about to scoff when a voice came from behind me.

“Who is calling for me?”

The old man’s eyes brightened. “Conway!”

My nine adoptive siblings all actually quickly stood up. They greeted the newcomer in unison. “Conway!”

I turned around to look at the newcomer walking in. He was about forty years old and dressed in an expensive suit. Nevertheless, his clothes could not hide that he was an oily, middle-aged man.

He did not notice me. In fact, he did not notice anyone else in the room. The moment he entered the room, he went forward to pull Madison to him by her waist. He kissed her hard.

“Darling, why did you run off just now? You made me look for you for so long.”

Madison turned stiff, and she did not move in the newcomer’s embrace. She had no good options, and she did not know if she had to push him away. She looked nervous and guiltily lowered her head.

The newcomer said arrogantly, “I’m Conway Ford, the president of the Viapent Group. Were you looking for me?”

I glared at the man. The more I scrutinized him, the more familiar he looked.

Suddenly, it hit me. This man was Madison’s first love, Victor Ponzi. I had seen his picture in Madison’s university yearbook.

“Ah, so you’re Mr. Ford. It’s an honor. I heard that you’re a very wise person and that you’ve taught your son very well, so I thought I’d come and learn a few things.”

Leaning against the dining table, Victor picked up a fork and shoved some food into his mouth. He was unbothered as he said, “Didn’t you know that discipline is the best teacher? When it comes to teaching others, especially my son, there’s only one method that works. Don’t spare the rod.

“But whether my son becomes successful is up to him. In any case, I don’t just have to limit myself to one son. If he’s no good, I can just have another.”

My fists clenched tightly. I forced a smile and said, “I see. Well, can I see your son? Perhaps I can buy him off you.”

Madison’s head whipped up in anxiety. She tugged Victor’s sleeve, trying to say no.

But Victor grew excited at the mention of money. “Sure. I’ll take 400 million dollars for him.”

Then, he turned to have the nanny bring Lucas over.

Soon, Lucas was led over by the collar. He came from the kitchens.

The nanny kicked him in the backside and scolded, “You didn’t even wash the dishes properly. What a useless child. And that old man. How dare he try to stop me? He even scratched me! Sirs, this counts as a workplace injury, right?”

Lucas’ small and frail body fell to the floor. His loose clothes could not hide the numerous bruises on his skin. The sight of them was gristly.

He seemed to have grown accustomed to pain. He did not even make a sound as he climbed to his feet. He stood fearfully in place, his head bowed as if waiting for his next beating.

“How dare you hurt my son?”

I was furious.

I took large steps forward and kicked the nanny so hard that she flew backward, crashing into the dining table.

Exclamations rose from behind me, but I ignored them all. I pulled Lucas into my embrace.

“Don’t be scared, son. Daddy’s home.”

Lucas slowly looked up at me, his hollow expression finally thawing.

He had suffered so much, and I was sure that he wanted to bury his head in my chest and cry. However, he held back and said urgently in a hoarse voice, “Dad, you have to save Grandpa! These bad guys won’t let him rest and even make him eat spoiled food. He has a fever now.”

A fire of sorrow and rage lit up inside me. I wanted to rip all these people to pieces and throw them to the dogs.

“Is this how you’ve been taking care of my father and son while I was gone, Madison, Jonah?”

Jonah’s expression shifted. Realizing that he could no longer hide the truth, he decided to take everyone down with him.

He coldly tilted his chin up. “Conway, do you still think that the Viapent Group is what it used to be? I’ll give you a hint. The board is all made up of my people. I’m the one who decides who Anderson Ford is. I’m the one who decides who Conway Ford is.

“Bet you never expected to be such a failure that even your wife is tired of you. She doesn’t even like your son!”

Seeing how angry I was, Jonah began chortling. He threw a document at me.

“If you transfer your shares to me, I’ll let the three of you live. If you don’t, your poor father will probably die of exhaustion.”

I followed Jonah’s gaze and quickly turned around. I saw Mr. Jeffords leading Anderson out with a rope tied around his neck.

Anderson was old and frail. He was practically being choked by the rope, and his face was turning purple. He was in great pain and looked liable to die in the next second.

Yet, he kept trying to comfort me.

“Conway… I’m… fine…”

I was heartbroken. I wanted to save Anderson immediately. However, my siblings surrounded me and shoved me to the floor. I could not get free.

Jonah looked at me victoriously. “Do you think you still have a choice here, Conway? Just sign it.”

Just as he forced my hand up, there was a loud noise from outside the door. A troop of soldiers rushed in.

“Mr. Ford, the fifty-six-man-strong Riverine Troop is here. We await your command!”