Dave’s eyes flashed with anger, a dangerous red tint creeping into his eyes, making Michael instinctively pull back.
Although Dave had already pieced together much of the story, the full truth only intensified his fury, sending waves of rage over him.
Rupert’s betrayal was unforgivable-he had taken the life of his own family, targeting Dave’s innocent mother in the process. It was unimaginable. And not only had he killed her, but he had also destroyed her remains.
The cruelty of it all made Dave’s grip tighten, and his knuckles turned white with the force.
Herbert felt nervous at Dave’s glare, and he started to tremble. “After your father died, you were sent to your grandfather’s house. From the moment you got there, Rupert filled our heads with ideas, pushing us to get rid of you just like we did with your parents. He said there would be endless problems if you were still alive.”
Recalling the shadowed past, Herbert’s voice carried a burden of regret. “We exploited your grandpa’s frailty, trapping you in the cellar,” Herbert confessed in a somber tone.” Rupert convinced us to act innocent if anyone asked, saying we wouldn’t have the power to fight back. He told us we could take your life, and no one would notice.”
The painful memory lingered in Dave’s mind, and his eyes turned cold as he recalled it.
The cold, suffocating darkness of the cellar, where he had spent that endless night, threatened to swallow him again.
The air was thin, and young Dave took shallow breaths, waiting for the quiet end as the oxygen ran out.
Back then, his young mind couldn’t understand the difference between the warmth of his uncles’ smiles during the day and the betrayal he faced at night.
Kent’s words echoed in the silence. “Will the butler hear him with those screams?”
Then, everything went silent. A cold, suffocating darkness surrounded him.
Ten days and nights passed in agony, pushing him to the brink of death. Time seemed to disappear, but his will to live held on.
He felt comforted in the damp walls, desperately licking a crack for moisture as his lips cracked and almost gave up.
Huddled in the cold cellar, his voice hoarse from crying, he could feel death slowly taking over his weakening body.
Breathing felt like a struggle, tears wouldn’t come, and all he wanted was to be with his family again.
Suddenly, a soft glow cut through the darkness. He looked up, his heart racing, imagining his mother’s arms reaching for him.
A gentle voice spoke, “Hello, are you okay?”
He blinked at the light and saw a girl standing in front of him, her presence calm and comforting.
She looked about his age, but there was something unnatural about her, especially in the soft light of the morning. She radiated warmth like an angel in the dim cellar.
Dave’s mind was fading as he stared at her, her comforting words, “I’ll find a way to get you out,” barely reaching him before she vanished.
Left alone again, despair began to settle in.
But soon, the girl returned, holding out a long stick.
“Grab this, and I’ll pull you out,” she said.
With what felt like his last chance, Dave gripped the stick tightly, and the girl pulled him up with surprising strength, lifting him out of the darkness.
Once free, the warmth of the sun felt like a fresh start to Dave.
Skylar studied Dave, who stayed silent. He had a quiet sort of handsomeness, though he wasn’t one to speak much.
Right now, though, he looked rough-dust covered him, his hair was messy, and a stale smell hung around him. His skin was hidden beneath layers of dirt.
Breathing heavily and pale, Dave looked like he might collapse at any moment. Worry crossed Skylar’s face as she said, “Come on, we need to get you to your grandpa.”
Dave watched her walk ahead, her hair flowing in the wind, her presence a light in the darkness. The scent of fruit carried on the breeze, offering a quiet sense of comfort.
In his heart, he knew that without Skylar, he might have died in the cold cellar, and the chance for justice for his parents would have been gone.
With that thought, his eyes closed, and his mind silently vowed an eternal debt to Skylar.
Dave felt a sharp regret as he remembered how he had treated Skylar at the engagement party. The day’s events had brought back old memories, making him question his earlier harshness.
From a young age, his mother had taught him the importance of gratitude. She was graceful and kind, always showing him the value of warmth and compassion.
Herbert, lying on the floor, saw the shift in Dave’s expression, his eyes filled with both fear and hope. “Listen, you promised me,” he urged him. “I can’t stand the ruthless side of this work. All I want are simple pleasures, nothing to compete with you. If you let me live a peaceful life, away from all this fighting, I’ll be loyal to you. In the Evans Group, I’ll be invisible.”
Herbert’s words brought Dave back to reality.
A small smile appeared on his face.
“Of course,” he replied.
With a calm gesture, Dave removed his gloves and took the share transfer papers from an aide. Kneeling in front of Herbert, he handed them over. “Sign this.”
Herbert hesitated for a moment, then looked up at Dave, searching for reassurance. To calm him, Dave quickly wrote out a check and held it out to the nervous man on the floor.
Herbert signed the agreement with a firm decision, his jaw clenched.
The check slipped from Dave’s hand, brushing against Herbert’s face as the guards let go of him. Herbert looked up to see Dave walking toward the exit.
Then, gathering all his strength, Herbert shouted, “Dave!”
Dave stopped but didn’t turn around.
Herbert’s voice was heavy with regret as he spoke, “I’ve failed you as an uncle. I remember holding you as a child and how the years have flown by. I’ve been swayed by greed, but I am still your family. You’ve shown me mercy today. Let me offer you an uncle’s advice. No matter how strong and independent you are, I warn you. Don’t fight against your grandfather.”