Faced with everyone, he had to save face. After all, If he wish to keep his image will cost him the meticulously laid plans of over a decade. Yet, holding onto his image meant clinging to a mere 20%. He was far from satisfied.
My mother didn't rush him, granting him time to mull over his decision. The embarrassment, after all, was his to bear. Beads of sweat trickled down his forehead as whispers escalated around us.
"Who asks for nothing in return?" someone murmured. "His earlier boasts are biting him now."
"If he truly treats them as his own, why hesitate over a few shares?" another pondered. "Selfish, people are always selfish."
Cornered, my father couldn't afford to lose face in front of so many. A fleeting glint of viciousness flashed across his eyes, then vanished.
Suddenly, he donned generosity, declaring, "How could I be unwilling? When I took these shares, I vowed they'd be kept for my children. I was merely pondering if Leo should get 10%, but since Ethan and Lily have theirs, Leo shouldn't be left out."
"I don't need it, give it all to Lily," Leo promptly refused.
My dad's intentions transparent to all. He thought my father could easily manipulate him, believing Leo's recent diligence to be a facade that wouldn't last.
"Since Leo declines, they're Lily's," my father conceded smoothly.
"Thank you, Dad," I accepted cheerfully.
Mother spared no time, summoning the company lawyer immediately to sign the share transfer agreement.
My father likely never imagined Emma, meant to aid him, would cost him so dearly.
Our family's reversal must have left him reeling with regret.
But this was far from revenge for the destruction he wrought in our previous lives. In our previous life, he brought about our family's ruin and destruction.In this life, naturally, we must repay him.
We were moving towards healing and growth, defying his desires.
Eventually, he snapped, fabricating a family emergency to return to our hometown.
On the same night, he rented a car, drove miles back, and while we slept, set our villa ablaze. By dawn, the fire raged uncontrollably, unnoticed until it was too late. Firefighters battled throughout the night to extinguish the flames.
Upon hearing the news, my father returned, collapsing in grief, wailing as if his heart would break.
Spectators pitied him, offering solace, yet he was deaf to their words.
"I shouldn't have left... I should have died with you all... What's the point of living without you?" His performance was convincing, hiding the victorious smirk beneath.
With our demise, he would inherit everything. But just as he reveled in his secret triumph...
"Dad," I called from behind him.
