Stole My Share? I'm Taking the Secret Recipe and Running

Jack seized the moment and stepped forward. "There we go! I knew you'd understand! You're the best!"He tipped his head back and drained his glass, his face flushing even redder as his words came more easily. "But here's the thing, Noah. Look, our farm has really broken through now."We've made a name for ourselves, and orders are pouring in like crazy! At this rate, doubling our business next year won't be a problem at all!"He paused and looked at me with keen eyes."That's why this premium feed is our lifeline, our core competitive advantage! Noah, you're our technical backbone!"Going forward, upgrading and optimizing the feed formula, and all the ongoing research and development, we're still going to need you for that! When we work together as brothers, nothing can stop us! Don't worry, I'd never shortchange my own brother!"Uncle Luke nodded vigorously beside him, chiming in. "Exactly! Noah, you're a specialist. We can't do the technical stuff without you. Just focus on your

"Yes, abroad." I repeated it calmly. "Everything's already arranged over there. I got an offer from a top agricultural biotechnology research institute. The position and compensation are both much better than what I have now.""But... But we're getting old, and we don't speak the language. If we go abroad where we don't know anyone, won't we just be a burden to you?"Mom recovered from the shock, her face full of fear and worry about the unknown. "And where would we even live? We don't know how to do anything.""Mom, I've thought all of this through." I softened my tone and explained patiently."The institute provides transitional housing that's big enough for our family. The new place is already being renovated. There's a sizable Cerulean community there, so we can adapt gradually. It won't be a problem. You'll be able to communicate in Cerulean without any issues."Through the rearview mirror, I saw Dad's brow still furrowed. I knew he was worried about more practical concerns.

"Fine." Without any hesitation, I picked up my phone and wired the money back."It's done. Check your account."Jack's tone was contemptuous. "That's more like it. At least you know what's good for you! Noah, let me tell you, don't think that—"I didn't listen to the rest. I hung up directly. This time, the motion was smoother and more decisive than ever before.The study fell into dead silence. Dad stared at me with wide eyes. After a long moment, he finally spoke through gritted teeth."How could you give it to him? He's a scumbag! The more you back down, the more he'll walk all over you!"Mom spoke up anxiously too. "Noah, that money... that money was rightfully yours! Even if it wasn't much, you can't just hand it back like that! Jack's basically robbing you!"I looked at them and shook my head gently. "Mom, Dad, that 40 thousand means nothing to me. But to him, it was a chain he could use to keep me bound."By giving him the money, he has no more excuses to come to me for

The visa paperwork went through quickly, and our tickets were booked for next week. In the meantime, news about Jack's farm kept trickling in.I heard Jack had completely switched to cheap feed, and all his old clients had left. In desperation, he went all in and started using whatever was cheapest. Eventually, he even began using feed that was nearly expired or already questionable.He sold the livestock raised on this inferior feed, animals that looked obviously unhealthy, at rock-bottom prices to hole-in-the-wall restaurants and independent buyers looking for a bargain. Surprisingly, people actually bought them.With costs slashed to almost nothing, even selling cheaply brought in immediate cash. He clutched at this like a lifeline and doubled down on this dangerous path.He even bragged to buyers that his products were raised on "quality feed", which was why they were such a good deal. He'd told the lie so many times that he'd started to believe it himself.When Uncle Luke and

A few years passed.I attended an international conference where I met my wife, Chyanne Dover. She worked in bioinformatics analysis. We hit it off immediately, talking about everything from our research to our lives.Later, we started dating and got married.The wedding was simple, held in a small chapel in the city where we'd settled. We only invited our closest colleagues and friends.Two years after that, our son Henry was born. Mom and Dad couldn't have been happier, spending all day fussing over that tiny little person.Chyanne and I were both busy with work, so Mom and Dad naturally took over helping with Henry.We moved from our apartment into a house with a small yard. Mom planted some scallions and mint in the garden, along with a few flowers she'd bought from the Cerulean supermarket that she couldn't quite name.Dad set up a small workbench in the corner of the garage where he fixed little things around the house or made simple wooden toys for my son. Henry grew day