Dayanara’s house was in the River Neighborhood. It was built a decade ago, looking old and shabby.
It did not match the identity of the Mcconnells in Auton.
When they returned home, Alberto’s parents-in-law, Cedric and Lillian sat upright on the sofa with serious expressions.
“Well,” Lillian sneered, “Alberto, why do you have the face to come back?”
“We have heard about everything on today’s wedding. Alberto, you’re such a jinx! You messed up things again!” Lillian stood up and berated.
“Forget it, Mom. It’s not Alberto’s fault. Connor didn’t intend to help us at all,” Dayanara said.
Lillian became even angrier. She said furiously, “Dayanara, are you speaking for him? Have you forgotten the misfortune he brought to you? If it weren’t for him, would you suffer from poverty now? You should have married into a wealthy family!”
“Mom, why do you always count on others? Can’t we rely on ourselves?” Dayanara said.
“Rely on ourselves? Good, that’s a good point,” Lillian smiled bitterly as she looked at Cedric with a dissatisfied look, “My daughter has suffered a lot because of you. What about you? What can you do to help?”
Cedric sighed, with a worried look.
Alberto had already anticipated the situation at home, so he went to the kitchen quietly.
…
“Time for dinner.”
Alberto cooked and placed the dishes and chopsticks. The whole family sat around the table. Everyone was silent.
“Alberto, you heard what Danielle had said today.” Lillian looked at Alberto with a serious expression.
“Mom!” Dayanara put down her chopsticks and said, “I will not divorce Alberto because of coercion.”
“What? Are you in love with him?” Lillian stared at her daughter. “Don’t you know what’s going on in your father’s factory? He hasn’t paid the wages of employers for a few months. The company is going to go bankrupt. How shall we survive by then?”
“Besides, today’s accident would not conclude an easy end. Alberto offended Danielle and her husband. He even beat up Dylan,” Lillian said angrily, “They will vent their anger on us! Divorce is the best choice. Otherwise we will be implicated by this loser!”
Dayanara bit her lips and remained silent.
Unsatisfied with her daughter’s reaction, Lillian hissed, “Cedric, do something. Talk your daughter into divorce!”
Cedric put on a helpless expression and remained silent.
After finishing a small bowl of rice, Alberto put away the bowls and chopsticks. Then, he returned to his room.
He crossed the legs on the bed.
Meditation was a habit he had had for more than ten years.
He practiced meditation regardless of the weather and the situation outside.
He was never shaken by the external forces.
This practice was referred to as “a bowl of water”. He imagined himself to be a bowl of clean water, free of dust and dirt. Worldly matters were like dust in the water, which would eventually settle down.
Half an hour later.
Alberto suddenly reached out and grabbed a black pebble in front of the bed. His fingers trembled. Suddenly, the pebble turned into powder and flew down from the gaps between his fingers…
“Inner power was achieved,” Alberto muttered to himself. He was excited.
According to the Master, only when his inner power was achieved, he would be considered a true successor of the Loong Schools.
Only then would he be able to take the post. He could visit the Cameron Group of Kingside with the jade token. By then, ancient medicines, money, and personnel would all be at his command. There was no end of martial arts. Only with the inner power could one access the people in the ancient martial arts world, seek for the higher attainments, and pursue the peak of fate.
The Loong Schools had many enemies. Before that, he couldn’t make his identity public. Otherwise, his life would be in danger!
“The inner power has been obtained. Finally, I’m qualified to take the post.” Alberto held a green jade token in his hand. His eyes were shining brightly.
…
The next day.
Just as Alberto walked out of the River Neighborhood, he was stopped by a black Bentley.
“Do I have to visit you in person to win you back to the Burnetts?”
A middle-aged man in a dark blue suit got off the car and looked at Alberto with no expression.
The man had a tall figure, a sharp face, a straight nose, and bright eyes. He was extremely dignified and imposing.
His appearance somehow resembled Alberto’s.
“Well, I didn’t expect that you would come to me,” Alberto sneered.
After over a decade, he still recognized the man in front of him. It was his biological father, Gaige Burnett.
“I know you don’t want to see me, but don’t you even want to see your grandfather before he passes away?” Gaige asked.
Alberto was silent for a while. His grandfather was the only Burnett who had been kind with him. Alberto still remembered his grandfather’s nice manners.
Gaige said, “Let’s talk.”
…
Twenty minutes later. On the 26th Floor of the Auton Hotel.
In a large conference hall, there were only Gaige and Alberto, sitting opposite each other.
“Your grandfather has been seriously ill in bed for the past two years. His conditions are getting worse. He always talks about you, wanting you to come back to the family,” Gaige said slowly. “Your uncles’ daughters have got married. Now, you are the only descendant of the Burnetts in your generation.”
“The only descendant of the Burnetts…” Alberto revealed a self-mocking expression. “So, you want me to be your bargaining chip for the family property?”
“You are too naïve,” Gaige snorted coldly, “The Nortons of Kingside has a large family business and countless branches. According to the family rules, if the family head dies and there’s no successor in the third generation of his branch, then the family shall be taken over by another branch. By then, we will be under the control of other Burnetts!”
“What does that have to do with me?” Alberto said indifferently.
“Your grandfather has been seriously ill these past few years. My uncles are competing for the power and making a big fuss over your grandfather’s illness. Don’t be impulsive. Otherwise, the fruits of your grandfather’s efforts would be stolen by others. He couldn’t be happy to see that.” Gaige said with a dissatisfied expression.
Alberto frowned and sneered.
He knew Gaige well. To gain greater power, he could do whatever he wanted and didn’t care about others’ feelings at all.
If it weren’t for that Grandpa wasn’t seriously ill and his status in the Burnetts was challenged, how could he come to Alberto Auton to look for him? After all, Gaige was the second princess of the Nortons of Kingside.
“Alberto, do you want to stay in the Mcconnell’s like this for the rest of your life and be insulted?” Gaige said slowly. Obviously, after finding Alberto, he had investigated Alberto’s living situation.
“Yesterday, you were humiliated at the Mcconnell’s wedding, but you didn’t even have the strength to resist,” Gaige said, “Don’t you want to control your own power? Don’t you want to take revenge on them?”
“As long as you are willing, you can make them kneel at your feet!” Gaige said.
Alberto shook his head.
Gaige snorted coldly and said, “You are still so young. Don’t let your anger ruin your glory for the rest of your life. You have never enjoyed power. When you personally make the Mcconnells kneel in front of you, you will know what kind of pleasure that would be!”
“I know that you hate me, and you can hate me for the rest of your life without recognizing me as your father,” Gaige said seriously, “All you have to do is go back to the Burnetts and visit your grandfather. Then, take what you deserve from the Burnetts and do whatever you want. That’s all.”
“Such simple conditions will offer you an opportunity to become a powerful man. Aren’t you unwilling to accept it?”
“I don’t need your help,” Alberto said indifferently.
Gaige frowned and sighed, “Back then, I owed to both you and your mother. That’s right. But if you stood in my place, you would do the same.”
“A man can lose everything but the power in hands!”
“Well…” Alberto shook his head. Until now, Gaige had no regret or guilt at all.
He also thought he was right. It was also true that people like him didn’t have feelings. They could only see power.
“I will pick a time to go back and visit Grandpa. However, the Burnetts have nothing to do with me,” Alberto said indifferently as he stood up and left.
“You!” Gaige stared at Alberto.
“Alright, you can go. I’ve already told you the conditions. I will wait for you. I believe that you will come back and beg me,” Gaige said indifferently, possessing a strong confidence.
He was aware of Alberto’s situation. He didn’t believe that Alberto could reject his offer.
Alberto was a loser who had been a waste for two years as a son-in-law. How could he refuse an opportunity that was within his grasp?
Who didn’t want to stand out?
“Take your time to wait.”
Alberto sneered and left Auton Hotel without looking back.