Sure enough, Virginia spoke up, “That's right, Paulina, you can't go back on your word after promising Gedeon.”

“Uncle Martin was a soldier. His body is in good health. What he got should not be a serious illness. There is no need to rush. Just wait until tomorrow morning after watching the sunrise, then go visit him.”

“Uncle Martin loves us so much, surely he won't blame us.”

“Scholastica, what do you think?”

Scholastica didn't say anything, just nodded. Then the four of them talked and laughed as they walked towards the villa, never looking at me again. It seemed that their father was far less important than Gedeon in their eyes.

My eyes were a little sore and swollen and I secretly smiled bitterly. When did my relationship between Scholastica and the others turn into like this?

It probably started after Gedeon lived in the manor. Gedeon was the son of the driver, Herodion Morales. When he first stepped into the estate five years ago, he was still a shy little boy.

That day happened to be my birthday party. When the three people, including Scholastica, who were originally around me, saw him, their eyes immediately became different.

Gedeon Morales was fair-skinned and good-looking. His lips were red-rosy and his teeth were moist. He spoke in a delicate voice. He easily stirred women’s maternal instincts and protectiveness.

They left me behind, clinging to Gedeon and calling him ‘brother’. Their eyes were full of undisguised affection. I was very unhappy to be left out and casually said a few words. The driver, Herodion, rushed forward to take his son away.

Gedeon was not happy. And in the struggle, he knocked over the champagne tower in the centre of the banquet hall, not only drenched me into a drenched chicken but also ruined the nine-layer cake.

I was so angry that I pushed Gedeon, but I did not use much strength. He violently knocked on the corner of the table and immediately dripped blood.

My family’s driver, Herodion, was in a hurry to help me wipe my clothes and asked repeatedly if I was alright.

Scholastica and the other two not only ignored me but also helped Gedeon while scolding me, “If the champagne tower is broken, we can build it again. If the cake is destroyed, we can make it again. Gedeon didn’t do it on purpose!”

“What right do you have to hit someone? Do you rely on yourself as the birthday boy?”

That was the first time I was scolded by them. From that time on, they became more and more distant from me.

***

Looking at the backs of the four of them, I threw the shopping bag in my hand into the trash can. “Love that is no longer pure is like this crystal watch stand that originally belonged to someone else. It is as disgusting as it can be.

“The garbage dump is the most suitable place for it.”

At night, I was alone in the hospital room, watching over my father. Looking up at the clock, it was already one o'clock at midnight. Scholastica and the other two never showed up.

I smiled to myself. My chest felt a little stuffy. Although I didn't expect anything from them in the first place, looking at my father on the bed, my heart was still like a stone blocking it and it was very uncomfortable.

On the side of the pillow was my father's cell phone. The screensaver picture was of him standing with Scholastica and the other two smiling brightly.

My father was once a special forces soldier. Once he was ambushed while on a mission abroad and his three comrades-in-arms sent him an important intelligence back to the border with their lives.

The father was very guilty. After retiring from the army, he adopted the orphans of the three comrades and vowed to be good to them for the rest of his life.

From childhood to adulthood, Scholastica and the others received far more love than I got. After knowing the reason, I became sensible and cared for them like a real brother, loved them and never let them suffer half a bit of grievance.

No matter which one, I love them from the bottom of my heart. More than once, I was torn over who to choose as my lifelong partner. My father had publicly stated that the future daughter-in-law of the Vandoeuvre family could only be one of the three of them.

Unfortunately, his wish was not destined to come true. The three of them, who grew up with me as childhood sweethearts, did not want to marry me at all now.

Just as I was plunged into memories, a message suddenly popped up on my cell phone.

[Emergency notice: According to the provincial meteorological station, the city will have heavy rainfall to extra heavy rainfall tonight. Citizens are advised to avoid forested mountains, rivers, lakes, reservoirs and other dangerous areas.]

My heart jumped to my throat. Dolomites Mountain was located on the eastern outskirts of the city. The mountain was treacherous. The viewing platform to see the sunrise was halfway up the mountain. If once the flash flood breaks out, no one can escape.

I hurriedly called the Innsbruck Rescue Team. The captain was my friend. He promised to immediately set off to the rescue.

He also told me to keep contacting Scholastic and the other two and not to give up. I called until my cell phone was burning hot. But Scholastica and the other two still did not turn on their phones.

Thunderclouds rolled in the sky outside the window. I was really worried. I looked back at my father who was wearing an oxygen mask on the bed and resolutely left the hospital.

On the way to Dolomites Mountain, the rainstorm suddenly poured, hitting the front glass and snapping.

Warning signs flashed from time to time along the way, reminding me of the dangers of rainy days, but I turned a blind eye. I didn't know how long it took, but I finally arrived at Dolomites Mountain.

The Innsbruck Rescue Team was already planning a rescue route. I insisted on joining the rescue team despite the captain's obstruction.

As a young master who grew up with no worries about food and clothing, my physical strength was far less than that of the members of the rescue team, but I still gritted my teeth and pushed on.

The rain was getting heavier and heavier. But unfortunately, there was no flash flood for the time being. After tossing and turning all night, the rain finally stopped.

I fell and hurt my arms and legs. Several team members also suffered different degrees of injuries. The whole rescue team was almost exhausted, but we didn't even see a sign of Scholastica or the others.

The captain contacted more rescue teams and even called in a helicopter to help. Just then, my cell phone suddenly rang. I took it out and saw that it was Scholastica calling.

I hurriedly answered it. A familiar soft and cold voice came from the microphone, “Lorenzo, have you had enough of the trouble?”

“You turned off your phone for one night and there were dozens of missed calls. What do you want?”

I was stunned like a stone man. Meanwhile, Gedeon's playful laughter came from the side.

“Scholastica, I've changed into my swimsuit. Let's go down to the hot springs. Don't worry about that stingy Lorenzo.”

“Okay.”

Scholastica impatiently said, “I told you we are going to the hospital today. Don't call us again to annoy us. That's it.”

After the phone hung up, my tightly wound heart finally shattered into countless dust particles.

The captain asked me with a face full of tension, “What's going on? Is it them?”

I nodded and turned my head to look at the fish-belly white colour rising in the sky and suddenly laughed. That laugh was like a dull knife, bitter and stiff.

***

Limping back to the hospital, I ran to meet the old butler.

As soon as he saw me, he complained, “Mr. Lorenzo, you know that your father is seriously ill. Why did you still go out?”

Seeing the tear tracks at the corner of his eyes, my heart thumped. Hurriedly, I pushed open the ward door just in time to see the nurse putting a white cloth over my father's face.

“Dad!”

I jumped on the bedside and cried loudly. When the old butler wanted to ask again, the rescue team member who came with me to the hospital to heal my wounds hurriedly explained everything.

After hearing this, the old butler's face was gloomy and anger was burning in his eyes.

But in the end, he didn't get angry. He let out a long sigh and patted my shoulder. “Mr. Lorenzo, I'm sorry for your loss.”

“Before he passed, your father kept calling out the names of you, Scholastica and the others. No matter what, they were all raised by him.”

“When the funeral is held, it's better to notify them so that they can see your father for one last time.”

I choked back a sob and nodded. With the help of the old butler, I took care of all my father's affairs.

I wanted to notify Scholastica and the girls to attend the funeral, but I couldn't get in touch with them. I realized that because it was too annoying, they deliberately blacked me out.

Although I couldn’t call them, the daily card consumption information was still sent to my phone continuously. Gedeon’s life had been quite luxurious lately.

From their social media posts, they have visited Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea and even Singapore. They had almost been everywhere. Their Instagram posts never stop updating.

Every photo had Scholastica and three people's figures. And the total amount of consumption was more than ten billion.

Seeing their smug smile, I was furious when I remembered that my father treated them as his own daughters, but even seeing them for the last time before his death became a luxury.

I called the secretary and directly suspended the subsidiary gold card. As a result, in less than ten minutes, Paulina's phone call came in.

She angrily said, “Lorenzo, are you crazy? It's just that we didn't visit Uncle Martin in the hospital. Do you have to stop our cards?”

“If you want us to go home, just tell us. Why are you so sneaky?”

“You have three minutes to reopen the card. We still have to buy the latest Prada for Gedeon!”

After all these days, she opened her mouth to curse at me, not even bothering to ask my father a question. I didn't get angry, I just felt a deep sadness.

My father was wise for a lifetime, but he raised these three ungrateful people. I felt sorry for him. I didn't say a word, just hung up and blacked out the number.

Since their hearts weren't about my father, get as far away as they could. After organizing my father's funeral, I asked the old butler to deliver a marriage proposal to the Boccardo Family. At first, Mr. Aldericus Boccardo was puzzled.

“Lorenzo, it's true that you and my daughter, Eugenia Boccardo were engaged in a childhood engagement.”

“But your father has publicly stated more than once that in the future, your wife can only be one of the three adopted daughters.”

“And everyone knows that Eugenia became a vegetative after getting into a car accident last year. She is now lying unconscious in bed. Why do you still want to marry her?”

I calmly stated my reason, “At least, a vegetative person will not betray love.”

After hearing my answers, Mr. Aldericus was silent for a long time and finally agreed.

On the day of the wedding, the entire Verona Circle was in an uproar. The news directly topped the hot search list.

Although Eugenia had become a vegetative person, she was a first lady of the Verona city circle. Many people questioned my motives, but some people expressed understanding.

After all, between big families, marriage was just a means to an end and the vast majority of it had nothing to do with love.

The union of the Vandoeuvre and Boccardo families was a perfect match made in heaven, a strong alliance.

The wedding site was very grand. Almost all the well-known media were present. The guests were well-known figures.

Just as I was waiting in the villa lounge, the door was suddenly kicked open. Scholastica and the other two, who I hadn't seen for a long time, appeared in front of me. Their eyes were full of anger.

The secretary's face was full of grievances. “I'm sorry Mr. Lorenzo. I can't stop them.”

“Never mind, it's not your fault. You can leave now.”

I waved my hand, signalling her to close the door.

After the secretary left, Paulinaim mediately questioned loudly, “Lorenzo, this time you've really gone too far!”

“The supplementary gold card has been suspended for so long that we don't even have the money for the plane ticket back home, so we can only sell things!”

Virginia also said viciously, “Lorenzo, Gedeon is right. You are a narrow-minded stingy person!”