CHAPTER 8: PROMISE

ETHAN

My father raised a brow slightly and quickly turned his head away as if to hide the delight I'd already seen in his eyes. 

"Why do you want to take over? Are you truly ready?" My mother promptly asked. Her expression still showed her distress. 

I smiled softly. "I'm ready, mum. I want to take over and become the chairman." I'd already thought it over. 

Though the journey wouldn't be easy and it would go against my lazy principles, it was alright. 

For my goal, anything could be changed—even my lazy habits.

My dad sat beside me and patted my shoulder even more firmly. "Good. When do you want to take over? Today?"

"Hm. Shall we go together later?" 

He nodded. "Yes. Dress up. Daddy will show you around the company and also explain the things you need to know..." He paused and rubbed his brows. 

"But you probably won't be able to take over anytime soon." His tone was low. "Those old fogies won't let you." 

I inhaled gently. "I know, Dad." That was expected. "I'm inexperienced and can't lead the group yet." I understood that well enough. 

"So, let's do it this way. I will start from a relatively easier position and work my way up." I suggested. 

Although this would slow down my plans, it didn't matter too much. I could always work it out. 

"After proving my worth and gaining the approval of everyone in the group. I will be able to take over as the chairman. That would also help me learn more about the various chains." I explained sincerely. 

A smile formed on my father's face. He nodded with pride and joy on his handsome face. "It's okay. Dad will support you." He assured and stood up. 

"Prepare early. We leave in an hour." 

"Mum will go to the kitchen to prepare something for you." My mum promised as she stood up to leave. 

I watched the two leave the room. The smile on my face faltered slightly, and a hint of melancholy appeared in my eyes. 

A weary smile escaped my lips, and I closed my eyes weakly. 

I needed another plan to get closer to Leander. 

Taking over the group would definitely help in the long run, but it was useless at the moment. 

Time wouldn't wait for me. 

I forced my body up from the bed and walked toward the bathroom, where I had a short but refreshing bath. 

The drowsiness I felt before the bath disappeared after the bath, and I was able to dress quickly before going downstairs for breakfast. 

My mother was almost done. With the help of the various cooking technologies she got at home, cooking became a lot easier. 

In a few more minutes, she arranged the dining table and called my dad down to eat with us. 

The breakfast was relatively calm, yet it filled the void in my heart. 

It had been so long since I last ate so peacefully with my parents. I had been so devoted to my marriage with Vesper that I hardly visited home. 

Especially when my parents kept disturbing me to take over the group. I found it too troublesome and stayed away from them because of that. 

Once again, I wondered why they refused to give birth to another child...

I could never find myself worthy of their love. 

By the time I snapped out of my thoughts, the meals before me had been eaten clean, and only when I touched my belly did I realize I had been the one who finished it all. 

I rubbed my nose with an awkward smile and stood up, signaling for my dad to also stand. 

The older man chuckled. He kissed his wife's forehead and walked out of the house with me.

"Let's take my car." He suggested.

I wasn't planning to take mine either. Rather, I wasn't in the mood to drive. 

I agreed. 

The drive to the company was as noisy as it could be. 

My father wouldn't stop telling me about the difficulties he went through when he took over the group back then. 

He talked about his weaknesses and strengths. He talked about how strict his father was. 

He even talked about his plan to retire and explore the world with his wife after I take over the company. 

My ears ached from listening to it all. 

"Dad, why don't you and Mum give birth to another child? I'm in my early twenties already." I suddenly asked. 

It was the same question I'd asked when I was 15, and they replied that I was too young and they weren't done spoiling me yet. 

Now, I was old and even... married. 

My father's brows creased, and his expression turned unpleasant. "You silly child. Do you want a brother who would fight and hate you over our properties?" 

"You don't know what I went through due to my brothers when I took over, do you?" 

"Siblings are nice only when there's no inheritance involved. When there is, it's hard to find a truly loving brother or sister. Son," He tapped on my temple. 

"You don't want to experience the things I did. It's awful." 

The car slowly stopped. 

Looking out, I realized we were already at our destination. 

The words at the tip of my tongue slipped back into my stomach, and I opened the door, getting out. 

So, the reason my parents hadn't tried giving birth to another child was that they were scared of causing me trouble?

That sounded so silly. It was so ridiculous that my heart ached terribly and my eyes stung again. 

They sacrificed so much for me, yet I was blind to it all. 

Even a second chance wouldn't justify the fact that I had died once. It wouldn't justify the sufferings they went through after my death...

"Dad, don't worry, this time, I'll certainly live long." This was my solemn promise to them.