Chapter 3

Andrew silently followed behind Diana into the villa.

He was already used to her coldness, so he didn't bother saying anything more.

As soon as he stepped into the little courtyard, his eyes caught a stone table set in the corner, with a chessboard carved right into the surface.

Sebastian's greatest passion in life had always been chess. His skill was unmatched, and few could challenge him.

No doubt, Diana had often sat here to play with him, just to keep him company.

But Andrew didn't let himself think about it too much. Right now, his heart was filled with nothing but worry and longing for his grandfather.

Five long years had passed. Finally, he was home, finally able to see Sebastian again.

Diana, walking ahead, didn't notice the shift in Andrew's expression.

They had just reached the doorway when a loud argument suddenly burst from the second floor. The voices were so harsh that even through the heavy door, every word came through loud and clear.

"Old man, stop acting like you're still important! Your assets are worthless now! Why are you still holding on to it? You can't even pay off your bank loans. You should've gone bankrupt ages ago!

"I'm being generous, offering you 200 thousand dollars for your worthless shares. That's me showing you respect. You'd better know your place!

"Sign the damn contract, take the money, and get lost. Otherwise, you can't even afford a coffin when the time comes!"

The arrogance in those words made Andrew's blood boil in an instant.

Diana's face hardened, too. She had clearly heard the noise upstairs—trouble had already started.

Andrew didn't hesitate. His body shot forward like lightning as he bolted inside and charged straight toward the stairs.

Diana followed quickly, her steps just as fast.

The Pierces had fallen so far that even clowns like this dared to come stomping on their heads. The thought alone was enough to make anyone's chest ache.

Upstairs in the living room of the second floor, the air was tight with tension.

Sebastian sat on the sofa, his figure frail and thin, and his complexion pale. Anyone could see he was terribly ill, his body all but hollowed out.

And yet, his eyes were still sharp, like a blade unsheathed.

He gripped his cane so tightly that the veins on the back of his hand bulged. His body trembled, not from weakness, but from rage that he was forcing himself to contain.

Across from him stood a group of flashy young men, their smirks dripping with arrogance.

The one in the lead, a man in his twenties with narrow eyes and a cruel smile, carried himself with a swagger that screamed trouble.

This was Vincent, the youngest son of the Xavier family of Crestbrooke. He was infamous for leaning on his family's power, throwing his weight around, and leaving behind a trail of trouble wherever he went.

"Sebastian, don't push your luck!" Vincent sneered, his voice sharp. "Do you really think you're still the great head of the Pierces? Please! Your family's washed up. You're not even third-rate anymore. Unitron Enterprise is drowning in debt and on the edge of bankruptcy. I'm offering you 200 grand for your shares out of pity, to give you one last chance. Sign the contract and hand it over. Otherwise, don't blame me for being rough with you!"

As he spoke, Vincent shook a document in his hand. The words "Share Transfer Agreement" were printed boldly across the top.

Behind him, several bodyguards barked their own insults, piling on the mockery.

"Yeah, old man. Take a good look in the mirror. Who do you think you are?"

"Mr. Xavier is giving you a chance. It's an honor. Don't be stupid enough to turn it down."

"Sign it, take the cash, and get out of the way. You're just wasting space."

Sebastian's chest heaved, but he forced himself to stay calm. His voice came out firm, one word at a time.

"Vincent, don't get cocky. Back in the day, when your grandfather Keith saw me, he had to bow respectfully and call me Mr. Pierce. He didn't even dare breathe too loudly. And now you think you can stand here and act arrogant in front of me? You're nothing."

Vincent burst into mocking laughter. "You really think this is still your era? Crestbrooke has changed. Your family's time is over!"

The taunts didn't shake Sebastian in the slightest.

Unitron Enterprise wasn't just the heart and soul of the Pierces for generations—it was also Andrew's last hope.

Sebastian knew Andrew's temperament. Without the family business as a foundation, even millions of dollars would vanish like dust in the wind. But if Unitron Enterprise survived, Andrew still had a chance to rebuild and rise again.

He would never let generations of hard work fall into the hands of these petty, greedy men.

"You can forget it!" Sebastian roared. "Unitron Enterprise is the lifeblood of the Pierces. I wouldn't sell it for two million, or even twenty million! As long as I still draw breath, no one will lay a finger on it!"

Vincent's smug grin twisted into a dark scowl.

The old man's stubbornness had caught him off guard. He had thought a few harsh words would scare Sebastian into submission. Clearly, he was wrong.

"Well, this isn't up to you!"

Vincent snapped his fingers and motioned for the bodyguards to move in.

"Bring the contract over. Let him get a good look. If he doesn't sign it in one minute, you'll give him some help. Old folks get goofy sometimes, after all."

The bodyguards cracked their knuckles and stepped forward with sinister grins, eager to use force.

Before they could make a move, a shout shook the room.

"Stop! You think you can buy Unitron Enterprise for 200 grand? Are you out of your damn mind?"

Andrew stormed into the living room, his voice like thunder.

The moment his eyes landed on Sebastian sitting on the sofa, looking so frail, gaunt, and weak, his chest clenched. His throat burned, and his eyes stung.

"Grandpa…"

His voice broke. He couldn't hold it back any longer.

He collapsed to the floor and held Sebastian's legs.

"I'm sorry I've failed you. You've been through so much all these years. Please forgive me!"

Sebastian froze in shock, staring at him.

It took a long moment before the truth hit him—the grandson he hadn't seen in five years was right in front of him.

Emotion surged across his aged face, impossible to hide.

He struggled to his feet, his hands trembling as he reached out to pull Andrew up. His lips quivered, but words refused to come at first.

Finally, they broke free.

"Andrew… You're back. You're really back…"

He clutched Andrew's arm tightly, as if he were afraid this was just a dream that might vanish.

"You've been through a lot yourself… You've grown taller…and thinner…"