Chapter 4

The day I moved out of the Sylvester residence, I told no one. Calling it a move was generous because I only had two suitcases.

A year ago, I had arrived with the same suitcases. Mom had bought the suits hanging in my closet. She accidentally ordered them in Cameron's sizes and decided to give them to me instead.

The ties Vivian had given me were originally meant for Cameron. Even the family portrait on my desk was later re-edited to include me in the far right corner. Of course, Cameron sat in the center.

I only took my identification documents and my laptop. I left the watch Serena had given me on the desk. The plaque on the door still read "Guest Room".

It was fine. Once I was gone, they wouldn't have to change anything.

The day I returned to my previous company, the data center officially broke ground.

Cameron stood onstage in a tailored suit and cut the ribbon. Vivian handled the project's legal paperwork. Serena stood beside him and announced an additional investment from Sadler Group.

Meanwhile, Zoe posted on social media.

"Some only know how to create problems, while people who actually get things done solve them."

In the photo, Cameron stood surrounded by everyone. He finally secured his seat on the board.

Mom sent a video from the ceremony to the family group chat.

"Cameron took the biggest step of his life today. If you still consider yourself part of the family, come back and apologize to him."

I left the group chat.

Back at the office, Nathan slid the partnership agreement across my desk.

"The department was a complete mess after you left. Some said you were too rigid, but I happen to think risk management needs someone who can say 'no' to signing something that isn't right."

I lowered my head and signed the partnership agreement.

He looked at me. "What are you going to do about the Sylvesters?"

"Nothing.

"Is there really no going back?"

"They don't need me," I said, capping my pen. "And I don't need their validation either."

The Sylvester family, however, remained convinced that I was simply throwing a tantrum.

On the third day of construction, the data center was hit with an unexpected inspection by the regulators. The fire safety inspection certificate was found to be fraudulent.

Construction was shut down on the spot. The investors demanded that the head of risk management come forward. Cameron waited for me in the conference room for three hours.

When I didn't show up, he finally called. "Harry, forget about the project for now. Dad says that if you come back and sign off, we can reconsider your position in the family records."

"And after I sign?"

"We just need to get through this crisis first," he replied. "Keep your name below mine for now. We can move it later when the time is right."

I laughed. "You want me to take on the responsibilities of the eldest son, but you won't even give me the name. Cameron, you're much more flexible than I thought."

Cameron's voice turned cold. "We're family. Do you really want to take things this far?"

"You guys are. I'm not part of the family," I said before hanging up.

That night, Dad sent one final ultimatum to the family group chat.

"Tomorrow at 9:00 am, get your ass back to the company and sign the documents. If you don't show up, I'll have the family elder strike your name from the family records for good!"

Vivian immediately followed.

"Harry, don't push Dad this far."

Serena tried to persuade me, too.

"Cameron just joined the board. He cannot afford to be saddled with responsibility for the fraud right away."

Zoe was more blunt.

"You grew up alone out there. I'm sure all you ever wanted was a family. Once your name is removed from the family records, you'll regret it. By then, you'll have nowhere to go back to."

Funnily enough, no one noticed I had already left the group chat.

At 9:00 am the following day, I didn't show up at Sylvester Group.

In front of the entire board, Dad called the family elder. "Strike Harry's name from the family records."

Mom looked uneasy. "Shouldn't we wait a little longer?"

He laughed coldly. "He spent 25 years out there waiting for us to acknowledge him. Give him a scare, and he'll come running back."

Meanwhile, back at home, Vivian went to check my room. Less than a minute later, she dialed Dad. "Dad, all his things are gone."

Overhearing the conversation, Mom panicked. "What do you mean? When did he move out?"

On the other end of the line, the butler, who had been handed the phone, answered softly, "Yesterday morning."