"What you should regret, Dad, is getting involved in the underworld in the first place."
"Ha! Isn't that why I put so much effort into your education, sent you abroad, arranged internships, and encouraged you to start your own business? The whole point was to keep you out of this mess!"
"You're still my father, and that's not something you can just change. Even if you shut down the club, you can't escape who you are. You might as well keep it running for the cash flow," Jayson said coldly.
Although he was the only family Jayson had in this world, he couldn't grow too close to his father. They were too alike—both aloof by nature and fond of their independence, each living their own life. Still, Jayson respected his father. After his mother's death, he started to sense his father's love more clearly. There was no doubt that his father cared for him, which is why he was so focused on Jayson's marriage, wanting him to find a good, virtuous wife like his mother. It almost felt like his father was trying to make up for his past mistakes with her. The scolding today was just his way of warning Jayson not to repeat those same errors.
"Your mother! When she was still alive, you were just a little kid, and she always hoped you'd go into something like art or literature—anything, really, just not follow in my footsteps. But I've gotten too deep into this, and it's hard to pull myself out. And you've been dragged into it, too. When I asked you to come home, I said all that just to get a reaction, to make you come back and work with me. I never imagined you'd throw yourself into it so completely, turning Opal Lounge into what it is now."
"Let's not talk about this. I'll handle my own affairs, father, you don't need to worry. The Calderon family has already contacted the wedding planner, and I've informed them of the budget and requirements. Everything is in progress. If you have any opinions, just call Mr. Smith, and let him handle it. Also, about the suit for that day, I've arranged for someone to come by tomorrow morning to take your measurements. Don't forget, father, don't leave the house tomorrow morning."
"Got it. Make sure to have Mr. Higgins come by. I haven't seen him in a while." Finnegan, Jayson's father, nodded. "Don't get annoyed with me for saying all this! You didn't have a mother to guide you, so as your father, all I can do is tell you what I can. What I'm saying now is also what your mother wanted. Think about it carefully! The reason I didn't invite you both to live with me is because I want you, as a young couple, to live a good life together, to love each other. Treat your wife well—feelings can be cultivated. I've met this girl, and she's really quite something, not ordinary!"
"Got it, I still need to head to the company later." He didn't want to listen any longer. He knew what he wanted—marriage was just a way to carry on the family name.
Jayson left the countryside estate and sped off in his white luxury sports car, leaving in a blur.
He hadn't had lunch yet, but Jayson headed straight to the office, where he dealt with the mountain of files piled on his desk. As he was going through them, he dialed the internal line to the secretary outside.
"Mr. Smith, why are President Sampson's files on my desk?"
"President Sampson said he took the afternoon off to accompany his wife to a prenatal check-up. He left the files for you to handle first, and said you were aware of it..." Mr. Smith replied hesitantly.
"From now on, anything President Sampson says doesn't count unless confirmed by me!" Jayson hung up the internal line and dialed another number.
"Hello? Jayson? Listen up! My wife is having some unexpected bleeding! I'm taking her to the hospital, handle things on your own for now!"
"Atticus Sampson, does your wife have no legs? Can't she walk or call a cab? You leave the company in the middle of things, and you're not afraid I'll fire you?" Jayson's voice remained cold as he spoke these words.
"Bro, don't be so heartless! When you get married, you'll understand! If I don't go, she'll nag me to death for the rest of my life!"
"…Out of our old school friendship, I'll give you two hours. Once time's up, get back to the office! We're having a meeting!" Jayson didn't give Atticus a chance to bargain and hung up the phone.
The company was still in its early stages, a business he'd built from scratch on his own. He'd brought his old college friend Atticus back from overseas to help make the dream a reality, but once Atticus got married, his drive for the business seemed to fade. Now, Jayson was starting to seriously wonder if he needed to hire a single, ambitious general manager to take things to the next level.
