The one most affected by this was Mr. Grant. His ambitions far exceeded Mio’s. Back when Mio sought his support, he had to obey all of Mr. Grant’s orders and arrangements.
Mr. Grant had wanted Mio to become his puppet, to take the position of family head and then submit to his control. But Mio had never intended to play along.
Their relationship had always been one of mutual exploitation, and Mio had long been aware of Mr. Grant’s schemes, though he never exposed them.
Inside the business car, there was only Mr. Grant. It was clear he had deliberately sent the others away.
“Mr. Grant,” Mio greeted him as usual.
In response, Mr. Grant slapped Mio across the face with full force. “You dare call me that? You lunatic! Why did you do this?”
Mio could have dodged the slap, but he didn’t. Despite being treated as a pawn by Mr. Grant, Mio still acknowledged the man had helped him in the past.
This slap, Mio figured, was repayment for Mr. Grant’s past assistance. However, the slap was hard enough to make Mio’s head hit the glass, leaving his face swollen.
“Because I’m tired. I don’t want to do this anymore,” Mio said calmly. He was genuinely exhausted. What was the point of becoming the family head? It was still a life of endless toil.
He had spent the first half of his life climbing upward, yet he never felt happy. Only during the brief days spent with Rebecca did he experience an unprecedented joy.
Together, they had played with cats, watched movies, and strolled through the streets. In those moments, he felt he had a soul, that he could smile without hiding behind a mask.
“Tired? Who isn’t tired? Do you think I’m not? The situation was already leaning in our favor, you fool! Do you even realize the magnitude of your mistake?”
“I don’t think I made a mistake,” Mio replied. He wondered, if he had a clean past, untainted by darkness, and met Rebecca as his true self, would she have liked him?
“Mistake? You must be out of your mind! We fought so hard for this, and now you’re giving it all up. Do you think it’s worth it?” Mr. Grant was so angry he was nearly jumping out of his seat. Yet, Mio remained indifferent.
“That position was never mine to begin with. We’ve been coveting something that doesn’t belong to us. What’s so worthwhile about that?”
“You… you’ve completely lost your mind. Who’s been feeding you this poison? You’ve changed! Don’t forget, I was the one who supported you to become vice president!”
Mio’s voice was steady. “I’ve never forgotten. I know I got to where I am today with your help, but it’s also thanks to my own efforts. Don’t think I’m unaware of your motives.
You didn’t support me for the family’s sake. It was for your own benefit. Now that everything’s out in the open, there’s no need for me to hide anything.
Yes, you helped me rise to power, but over the years, you’ve used my position in the company for your gain. You know how much you’ve taken.
That slap just now? Consider it repayment for your support. From now on, we owe each other nothing. Take care of yourself.”
“You… you ungrateful bastard!” Mr. Grant was so furious he raised his cane to strike Mio again.
Mio caught the cane with one hand. “I told you-I owe you nothing. If you dare lay a finger on me again, I won’t let it slide. You know my character-I’m exactly the kind of person you taught me to be.”
Mr. Grant was speechless. He had spent years teaching Mio to be ruthless and cunning, believing in the mantra “a man without venom is no man at all.” Yet he never imagined that one day, Mio would use those same methods against him.
An aging man against a young and vigorous one-there was no contest. Especially since Mio had undergone extensive training while vying for the position of family head.
With just the two of them in the car, if Mio truly wanted to harm Mr. Grant, the older man wouldn’t stand a chance.
Finally, Mio released the cane. “We’ve known each other for years. I don’t want us to part on such ugly terms. Take care of yourself.”
“Mio, if you turn back, I’ll let bygones be bygones. Don’t give your shares to Aurora. Join forces with the smaller shareholders, and we’ll oust her. You can still be the family head.”
“Even now, you’re still dreaming. Wake up,” Mio said with a sneer.
“If you don’t listen to me, I’ll make sure you can’t survive in the Walsh family!” Mr. Grant resorted to threats.
Mio smiled coldly. “Go ahead. I have no intention of staying in the Walsh family.”
He opened the car door and stepped out. From behind, he could hear Mr. Grant’s enraged roar: “Come back! Get back here, you bastard!”
Come back? There was no going back.
Mio reflected on the first half of his life. Even after becoming vice president and stepping on others to rise to power, what did it matter?
He had become the very person he once despised. From now on, he vowed never to live in such darkness again.
Back at his villa, his secretary was already waiting at the door, as instructed.
“Mr. Walsh,” the secretary greeted.
“Come in,” Mio said, unlocking the door.
The secretary, accustomed to Mio’s strict rules, instinctively put on shoe covers. Mio usually disliked others entering his home.
“No need. Just come in directly,” Mio said. For once, he didn’t insist on the usual formalities.
The secretary was already shocked by what Mio had said in the meeting earlier. Now, seeing even more changes in Mio’s demeanor, he was utterly baffled.
Standing stiffly by Mio’s side, the secretary couldn’t help but wonder how terrifying his boss must have been in the past.
“Sit down,” Mio said.
“No, no, I’ll just stand-”
“I said sit.” Mio raised his voice slightly, startling the secretary into quickly taking a seat.
“Draft the share transfer agreement for me. I’ll explain the company matters later. You’ll handle the handover with Miss Aurora.”
The secretary thought Mio was joking, but it quickly became clear he wasn’t.
“Mr. Walsh, are you really leaving the company?”
“Yes. I’ve made up my mind.”
“You’ve worked so hard to get here. Are you sure it’s worth giving it all up?”
Though Mio often had a temper, he was a good boss overall. The secretary had worked with him for many years, benefiting not only from company perks but also from Mio’s private generosity.
“Why wouldn’t it be worth it? I’m tired. I want to rest. I don’t want to fight or compete anymore. Follow Miss Aurora-she’ll value your talent. Work hard, and the company will thrive.”
It was rare for Mio to speak so calmly.
The secretary, who had served him for so long, felt a pang of reluctance. “Could you please stay?”