Fixing his gaze on the sofa, Cristofer commented, “It’s truly beautiful.”
Nelson nodded, displaying a sense of satisfaction. “You’ve always had impeccable taste. Whether it’s a dress or a person, your choices are always exquisite.”
Aware of the underlying threat in Nelson’s words, Cristofer forced a bitter smile and responded, “Uncle Nelson, direct your focus towards me and leave Estelle alone. I’m the one who has fallen short of your expectations. The issues between us have nothing to do with her.”
“I know it has nothing to do with her. Cristofer, I am already seventy-three years old, and my time is limited. I simply want an exceptional successor. I couldn’t care less about whether that woman is alive or dead,” Nelson replied bluntly.
“Uncle Nelson, I made my intentions clear at the hospital today. I owe her so much, and I simply want to make amends and care for her and our children for the rest of my life,” Cristofer asserted.
Shaking his head in disapproval, Nelson countered, “What if she discovers your true identity as Cristofer in the future? She will undoubtedly leave you without hesitation. And once she leaves, she can move on to be with Tim or that lawyer named Eric and continue to enjoy a comfortable life. But what about you? You will have nothing, as you have given up your company, power, and wealth for her.”
With a firm expression, Cristofer contemplated for a moment and replied, “As long as I am cautious enough, she won’t learn of my true identity.”
“But you cannot predict what the future holds,” Nelson insisted.
“I will exercise caution, and I plan to leave this country with her soon,” Cristofer affirmed.
Upon hearing Nelson’s sigh, Cristofer couldn’t help but feel a sense of empathy. “Uncle Nelson, I understand that I may appear stubborn to you. But in many ways, I am like how you used to be in your youth. I know the consequences of my choices, and I am prepared to face them,” Cristofer asserted.
Nelson let out a resigned sigh. “Never mind. Let’s focus on the matter at hand. Since I extended a helping hand to you when you needed it, I now ask you to break your arm as a repayment of what you owe me,” Nelson declared.
Gritting his teeth, Cristofer stretched out his arms horizontally and asked, “Uncle Nelson, which hand do you want?”
Nelson’s face darkened as he slowly removed his glasses, fixing a stern gaze upon Cristofer. “Cristofer, this is your last chance…”
“No need. Uncle Nelson, just tell me which arm you want me to break.”
Nelson just looked at him quietly. After half a minute, he sighed again and said, “Geoffrey, come here.”
Geoffrey, who had been waiting outside the study, replied to him respectfully, “Mr. Lopez, what can I do for you?”
“Take me to the courtyard. I’m old and can’t bear to see any bloody scene.”
“Mr. Lopez, it’s getting late. How about I take you back to your bedroom?”
“I can’t sleep in such a situation,” Nelson said as he pointed in the direction of the yard. “I’m really curious about what’s so good about Estelle that Cristofer is even willing to break his arm for her. Alas, let’s go to the yard first.”
“Yes, sir,” Geoffrey said and slowly pushed him to the courtyard.
After a while, Geoffrey came back with a golf club in his hand and then turned around to close the door.
“Mr. Hans, do you play golf?” Geoffrey inquired, looking at him seriously.
Cristofer frowned. “Sometimes.”
“Then you should know about this golf club.”
At a glance, Cristofer recognized that the golf club in Geoffrey’s hand was crafted from a solid titanium alloy, while the clubhead boasted a tungsten alloy construction.
Understanding the significance of these materials, Cristofer acknowledged that the tungsten alloy possessed a density four and a half times greater than that of the titanium alloy, and its hardness exceeded that of titanium by an even greater margin.
“Uncle Nelson has high expectations for you,” Geoffrey remarked.
“I’m aware,” Cristofer responded.
“I was raised by him and have lived with him for over twenty years. Yet, in his heart, I still cannot measure up to you, despite having only known him for six years. Mr. Hans, you truly don’t realize how fortunate you are,” Geoffrey expressed.
Cristofer licked his lips and said, “Everyone has a different definition of happiness. What one person abandons may be another person’s treasure.”
“Do you have any idea how many properties Uncle Nelson possesses? He holds a monopoly over the steel market in Europe and owns half of the South American market! Additionally, he has investments in various other industries, including the motor, ship, and aircraft industries,” Geoffrey exclaimed with excitement. “Are you sure you’re willing to give up all of this for a woman suffering from cancer who could pass away at any moment?”
Cristofer, growing impatient, lifted his head and replied irritably, “There’s no point in discussing it now. Let’s focus on the matter at hand.”
Geoffrey smiled helplessly and nodded. Then he handed the golf club to Cristofer and said, “It’s up to you which arm you want to break. And please break it yourself. Uncle Nelson values you so much. I don’t dare to hurt you.”
Cristofer took the golf club and weighed it in his hand.
It was heavy and high quality, and its head shone with cold silver light.
He stepped back, sat on the sofa, and placed his left arm on the marble tea table.
Then without hesitation, he raised the golf club with his right hand and quickly smashed it on his forearm with great force.
With a loud bang, the off-white marble tea table was colored with blood.
Then with a clang, the golf club, which was stained with flesh and blood, was thrown to the floor.
As beads of sweat trickled down Cristofer’s deathly pale face, he spoke in a deep voice, “Mr. Field, I have broken my arm. Don’t you want to examine it?”
Geoffrey was taken aback by the swift action Cristofer had taken.
The entire process of Cristofer taking the golf club and breaking his arm lasted less than ten seconds.
Frowning, Geoffrey extended his hand towards the marble tea table and was surprised to feel the small bone fragments in the blood.
“Mr. Hans, you are truly ruthless towards yourself,” he remarked, his expression turning cold.
Cristofer smiled and responded in a relaxed tone, “Have you finished examining it?”
“Yes. Your arm has been broken. Uncle Nelson will be pleased,” Geoffrey confirmed.
Cristofer struggled to his feet, his broken arm hanging limply at his side. He adjusted his sleeve to conceal the injured arm.
“I am indebted to Uncle Nelson, and this broken arm is the interest I’ve paid him. I will soon return Hans International Corporation to him. From this moment onwards, we have no further ties,” Cristofer declared resolutely.