Chapter 042

42.

Bianca paced to and forth in the living room as she waited for her father's arrival. She had been waiting to tell him about what Aiden said and also make sure he explained things to her, but he hadn't been around.

He had told her he was coming home today and she had been anxiously waiting. She heard the sound of the door and quickly rushed to get it.

“Dad, welcome.” she greeted him and he nodded.

He walked into the house and took a seat. She took a seat facing him, dabbing her fingers together as she stared at him.

“I want to hear good news, Bianca. Were you able to secure the deal with Aiden?” he asked curtly.

Bianca's face fell, and she shook her head. “No, Dad. He refused to work with us.” she answered with a frustrated sigh.

Mr. Sullivan's expression turned dark. “What did he say?”

Bianca took a deep breath before recounting her conversation with Aiden. Mr. Sullivan's face grew angrier with each passing moment.

“When I asked him why, he said it was because of your business practices, Dad. He said you hurt people close to him, and he won't work with anyone who bears the Sullivan name.”

His face turned red with rage. “That son of a bitch!” he slammed his fist on the table.

Bianca flinched. “Dad, please tell me what's going on. What did you do to Aiden?” she asked, hoping it wasn't something gruesome.

Mr. Sullivan took a deep breath, composing himself. “It's nothing, Bianca. Just business rivalry. Don't worry about it.”

But Bianca wasn't convinced. She knew her father was hiding something, and she was determined to find out what it was.

“Dad, I want to know the truth. I am the new CEO of the company, and it's mandatory that I know everything to avoid making mistakes. So tell me, what did you do to Aiden?”

Mr. Sullivan sighed, rubbing his temples. “Fine, Bianca. I'll tell you. But you have to promise me one thing: you will not tell anyone this.”

Bianca's curiosity was piqued. “I promise, Dad. Now tell me.”

He took a deep breath before beginning his story. “Aiden Callymore's family was ruined by me, Bianca. I took everything from them, and I left them with nothing. His Uncle was the one who got involved with me. We were business partners and wanted to work on a project together. The profit was massive, and we were to share it…" He trailed off and sighed before continuing. “He was a good man, but he was weak and gullible. I took advantage of that, and I took everything. He had put all his effort into that deal, and because of what I did, he became mentally unstable.”

Bianca's eyes widened in shock. She had never seen her father like this before.

“Why, Dad? Why would you do something like that?”

Mr. Sullivan shrugged. “It was just business, Bianca. I did what I had to do to get ahead. Besides, he was weak, and I was sure he wouldn't go that far with me, so I decided to cut him off completely.”

“And Aiden? What did he do about it?” she asked.

“Aiden was still in business school then. He was powerless against me at the time, and when he returned and found out what happened, he made findings and I don't know how he did it, he found out I was associated with it and confronted me, but he was powerless then.”

“Then, what did you do?” she asked, the weight of this discovery heavy on her.

Mr. Sullivan's expression turned cold. “I did what I had to do, Bianca. I made sure he couldn't touch me. I used my connections to ruin his reputation, to make sure no one would listen to him. His sister was an added bonus, and I succeeded.”

Bianca felt a chill run down her spine. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.

“And his sister? What happened to her?”

Mr. Sullivan's eyes dropped, and for a moment, Bianca saw a glimmer of guilt.

“She… she was involved with me, Bianca. We had an affair, and she got pregnant. I didn't want anything to do with her or the baby, so I paid her off and made her leave town. She lost the baby and called me to inform me, but I told her it was for the better. I blocked her line and haven't been able to reach her since then.”

Bianca's eyes widened in horror. “You paid her off? You made her leave town? What happened to her, Dad?”

Mr. Sullivan's expression turned hard again. “I don't know, Bianca. And I don't care. She was just a pawn in my game, and she served her purpose. Besides, they were powerless then, and I hid all my tracks and evidence. That way, they wouldn't be able to get to me. Aiden hated me since then and wanted nothing to do with me. He vowed to become powerful one day and tower over me, but I didn't believe him, instead I tried to crush his dream.”

Bianca felt a wave of nausea wash over her. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her father, the man she had always respected, was a monster.

“Dad, how could you?” she whispered. “You literally destroyed their lives. And you still want them to work with you? What's more heartless than this?” she snapped.

Mr. Sullivan shrugged. “I did what I had to do, Bianca. I did what it took to get ahead. And I won't apologize for it. After all, he has become so powerful, and he is the reason I lost most of my shares and have to be under the Salvadors to make my business thrive. He has gotten his revenge by ruining my company, so shouldn't bygones be bygones already? Everything should be forgotten.”

Bianca felt a tear roll down her cheek. She didn't know what to say, what to do. She had wanted to know the truth, but she had no idea it was this heavy.

“I'm sorry to say, but you deserved the ruining, Dad. You might have built back the company, but I don't think he would just watch you succeed after ruining his life like this. You had a freaking affair with his sister, and even I didn't know about it. Mum was dead, and you were having an affair with someone you can give birth to.”

“She was his elder sister, but she was naive. I don't care to know where she is now, but I know she is probably somewhere living her life.” he shrugged, looking unapologetic, and that only fueled Bianca's anger.

“I need to get out of here,” she said, standing up.

Mr. Sullivan nodded. “Go. Go clear your head. But remember, this conversation never happened.”