At the mention of our son, Madison replied in forced calmness, “He’s playing with the other kids in the garden. Lucas is getting naughtier. He even said he missed his grandfather. I told him to be patient and to wait for Anderson to finish up before coming to play with him…”

She suddenly changed the subject and complained, “Speaking of Lucas, he’s learned to lie. He stole a piece of cake yesterday, but he kept denying it. You have to tell him off when you see him. If you don’t, we’ll never be able to get him to do what we want.”

I scoffed to myself. Something was definitely up with Madison.

Lucas had only ever been good and obedient. He would never lie.

Besides, the security footage had shown me the truth. Lucas was already being subjected to abuse.

Madison kept up with her fibbing. Clearly, she was doing her best to hide the truth, terrified that I would learn what was truly going on.

“Is that right? I’ll go and tell him off right now.”

I did not stop walking and kept moving forward.

Madison became more anxious. She grabbed my arm and intentionally shoved her bosom at me. Softly, she said, “Forget about Lucas for a moment, honey. It’s been a long time since we’ve been together. I want you.”

Did she think I was such a base and uncouth man? How dare she try to charm me with her feminine wiles at that juncture?

Scowling, I shook her off and kicked the living room door open with a loud bang.

In an instant, the noisy mansion went deathly quiet.

My younger sister, Alexa, who had been dancing with an old man I did not know, was the first to speak up. “Which rude heathen dares to kick our door open?” she burst out.

She angrily turned around. When she met my gaze, her face went white.

“C-Conway…”

“And here I was wondering who it was. The great negotiator is back.” My second brother, Jonah, stood up languidly with a false smile on his face. “It’s our father’s birthday today. Are you here to celebrate as well? But it’s exceptionally rude to enter by kicking down the door.”

Everything became clear to me when I saw his reaction. Instantly, I realized that every single member of my family was an ungrateful wretch.

The surrounding guests all began to turn distasteful glances at me.

“It’s bad enough that he came to Mr. Ford Senior’s birthday without a gift. How dare he kick down the door? Which company does this supposed negotiator belong to? He’s much too rude.”

“Exactly. He must be trying to get attention because he’s late to the Ford family’s banquet.”

“Ah, Mr. Ford Senior is so unlucky to encounter this jinx on his big day.”

I swept my gaze over the guests. They were all unfamiliar to me. None of the important or influential people of Brushcove were present.

However, based on their manner of speech, these people were neighbors from Somerset.

Did these people think my home was some community center?

My eyes narrowed as I looked at the person sitting in the place of honor.

“Who are you?”

The old man’s expression darkened. He banged his hand on the table and stood up. The hideous, gaudy class ring on his finger glinted.

“Where did this punk come from? Who do you think you are? How can you not know who I am when you’re here for my birthday banquet? I’ll tell you who I am. I’m the chairman of the Viapent Group’s board! I’m Anderson Ford!”

The guests agreed immediately and started to add their voices.

“What an ignorant sod!”

“Hurry up and apologize! Stop causing a fuss at Mr. Ford’s banquet!”

The old man glared at me.

“And where’s your present? Show it to me. Everyone here is someone important. You’d better not have brought some cheap trinket.”

I chuckled.

“You’re Anderson Ford? In that case, where’s your son, Conway?”

The old man snickered, his expression disdainful. “You’re just a poor sod. You didn’t even bring a gift, but you want to see my son? Please take a look at yourself in the mirror!

“My son is the president of the Viapent Group! He’s a powerful man whose time is worth a lot of money! Do you think you can see him whenever you want?”

I put a black card on the table and slowly pushed it forward. Casually, I said, “What if I’m willing to pay 200 million dollars to see him? Could that be arranged?”

The old man’s face twisted up in greed. He was just about to agree when he hesitated and said in a pained voice, “Conway is busy with some big business. I’ll have to ask him first.”

I smirked and was just about to scoff when a voice came from behind me.

“Who is calling for me?”

The old man’s eyes brightened. “Conway!”

My nine adoptive siblings all actually quickly stood up. They greeted the newcomer in unison. “Conway!”

I turned around to look at the newcomer walking in. He was about forty years old and dressed in an expensive suit. Nevertheless, his clothes could not hide that he was an oily, middle-aged man.

He did not notice me. In fact, he did not notice anyone else in the room. The moment he entered the room, he went forward to pull Madison to him by her waist. He kissed her hard.

“Darling, why did you run off just now? You made me look for you for so long.”

Madison turned stiff, and she did not move in the newcomer’s embrace. She had no good options, and she did not know if she had to push him away. She looked nervous and guiltily lowered her head.

The newcomer said arrogantly, “I’m Conway Ford, the president of the Viapent Group. Were you looking for me?”

I glared at the man. The more I scrutinized him, the more familiar he looked.

Suddenly, it hit me. This man was Madison’s first love, Victor Ponzi. I had seen his picture in Madison’s university yearbook.

“Ah, so you’re Mr. Ford. It’s an honor. I heard that you’re a very wise person and that you’ve taught your son very well, so I thought I’d come and learn a few things.”

Leaning against the dining table, Victor picked up a fork and shoved some food into his mouth. He was unbothered as he said, “Didn’t you know that discipline is the best teacher? When it comes to teaching others, especially my son, there’s only one method that works. Don’t spare the rod.

“But whether my son becomes successful is up to him. In any case, I don’t just have to limit myself to one son. If he’s no good, I can just have another.”

My fists clenched tightly. I forced a smile and said, “I see. Well, can I see your son? Perhaps I can buy him off you.”

Madison’s head whipped up in anxiety. She tugged Victor’s sleeve, trying to say no.

But Victor grew excited at the mention of money. “Sure. I’ll take 400 million dollars for him.”

Then, he turned to have the nanny bring Lucas over.

Soon, Lucas was led over by the collar. He came from the kitchens.

The nanny kicked him in the backside and scolded, “You didn’t even wash the dishes properly. What a useless child. And that old man. How dare he try to stop me? He even scratched me! Sirs, this counts as a workplace injury, right?”

Lucas’ small and frail body fell to the floor. His loose clothes could not hide the numerous bruises on his skin. The sight of them was gristly.

He seemed to have grown accustomed to pain. He did not even make a sound as he climbed to his feet. He stood fearfully in place, his head bowed as if waiting for his next beating.

“How dare you hurt my son?”

I was furious.

I took large steps forward and kicked the nanny so hard that she flew backward, crashing into the dining table.

Exclamations rose from behind me, but I ignored them all. I pulled Lucas into my embrace.

“Don’t be scared, son. Daddy’s home.”

Lucas slowly looked up at me, his hollow expression finally thawing.

He had suffered so much, and I was sure that he wanted to bury his head in my chest and cry. However, he held back and said urgently in a hoarse voice, “Dad, you have to save Grandpa! These bad guys won’t let him rest and even make him eat spoiled food. He has a fever now.”

A fire of sorrow and rage lit up inside me. I wanted to rip all these people to pieces and throw them to the dogs.

“Is this how you’ve been taking care of my father and son while I was gone, Madison, Jonah?”

Jonah’s expression shifted. Realizing that he could no longer hide the truth, he decided to take everyone down with him.

He coldly tilted his chin up. “Conway, do you still think that the Viapent Group is what it used to be? I’ll give you a hint. The board is all made up of my people. I’m the one who decides who Anderson Ford is. I’m the one who decides who Conway Ford is.

“Bet you never expected to be such a failure that even your wife is tired of you. She doesn’t even like your son!”

Seeing how angry I was, Jonah began chortling. He threw a document at me.

“If you transfer your shares to me, I’ll let the three of you live. If you don’t, your poor father will probably die of exhaustion.”

I followed Jonah’s gaze and quickly turned around. I saw Mr. Jeffords leading Anderson out with a rope tied around his neck.

Anderson was old and frail. He was practically being choked by the rope, and his face was turning purple. He was in great pain and looked liable to die in the next second.

Yet, he kept trying to comfort me.

“Conway… I’m… fine…”

I was heartbroken. I wanted to save Anderson immediately. However, my siblings surrounded me and shoved me to the floor. I could not get free.

Jonah looked at me victoriously. “Do you think you still have a choice here, Conway? Just sign it.”

Just as he forced my hand up, there was a loud noise from outside the door. A troop of soldiers rushed in.

“Mr. Ford, the fifty-six-man-strong Riverine Troop is here. We await your command!”