As Nathan was a well-known painter, the car accident he was involved in had a certain societal effect, so the police soon issued a confirmation of vehicular accident.
The crash was ultimately categorized as an accident.
After the confirmation was issued, they started to deal with Nathan’s funeral.
After Michael and his entourage arrived at M Country, it was no longer necessary for Leonardo to handle Nathan’s matter.
He finally had some free time.
Before the funeral, Tim came back from outside and entered straight into Leonardo’s room.
Leonardo was clad in black shirt and trousers as he sat on the sofa with a pensive look.
Tim walked over and greeted him respectfully, “Young Master.”
Leonardo did not look at him, and simply asked, “What’s the investigation like?”
Tim said, “What I’ve managed to find out was the same as the police, it seemed like a traffic accident.”
If Rosie could be spirited away without anyone knowing, Leonardo obviously had grounds to believe that Nathan’s accident was no mere accident.
*Knock knock!*
A knock came from outside the door.
Following that, the voice of a servant could be heard. “Young Master Emerson, it’s time to head to the funeral home.”
Leonardo got up as he heard that, and fixed his shirt as he said to Tim, “Let’s go.”
…
When he arrived at the funeral home, everyone from the Si Family had already arrived.
Adams accompanied Violet to receive visitors who came to pay their condolences.
Violet had lost plenty of weight in just a space of a week, and even her thick makeup could not conceal her aged appearance, and her entire person looked very thin and emaciated.
Leonardo nodded slightly and said with a deep voice, “My condolences.”
Violet did not say anything and just nodded, looking even gloomier than before.
Leonardo frowned, as he took a measure of her before heading in.
As he walked in, he saw Douglas who was kneeling on the ground inside the funeral home.
Although Douglas had been raised outside of the household, blood was still thicker than water. He was fifteen years old this year and knew what death represented.
He had forever lost his father.
Leonardo walked next to him and squatted down as he handed him a tissue.
Douglas looked up, his eyes were red and swollen, his nose had a shade of crimson as well, with a hoarse voice he said. “Cousin.”
Just a greeting like that had Douglas’s tears falling out again.
Even if he stubbornly bit his lips, one could still hear the choking sobs in his throat.
“Yeah,” Leonardo responded and tucked the tissue into his hand.
There were many things in life that were beyond one’s control, and nothing could be done about it.
Comforting language, in most cases, was extremely powerless.
Douglas held the tissue Leonardo handed him tightly in his hand as he lowered his head to not let Leonardo see his face, yet the latter still saw tears dropping onto the ground.
Leonardo just patted his back as he stood up.
…
After Nathan’s funeral was over, Leonardo and the rest returned to Hoover City.
In the afternoon before the day of departure, everyone sat together for lunch.
Su Adams then suddenly said, “Mom, move back to Hoover City with us.”
Everyone heard what he said, and turned their heads to Violet.
Only Leonardo with his head down eating his food seemingly having no care of what was happening on the table.
Violet paused for a moment and did not give an immediate answer.
Michael quickly added, “Yeah, Nathan is gone, Adams and Douglas are also in China, you’ll be all alone here, better if you return to Hoover City with us.”
Everyone was waiting for Violet’s answer.
Violet put down her cutlery and softly said, “No, I’m used to living in M Country, I’ll just stay here.”
Just as she said that, Douglas slammed his glass heavily on the table, and made a loud bang.
At this instance, even Leonardo could not help but look at Douglas.
Douglas had looked rather poor lately and his beautiful little face was similarly haggard.
His gaze toward Violet was rather cold. “Up to you. You never cared about us, anyway.”
Michael was the first to react and said with a hushed voice, “Douglas!”
Douglas did not even look at Michael as he got out and ran out of the dining room.
“Mom, don’t let it get to you. Douglas is still young.” Adams immediately got up and chased after Douglas after comforting Violet.
Violet froze for a few seconds before standing up. “I’m full, all of you please eat slowly.”
Like a farce, the mother and sons left their seats one after another, leaving only Michael and Leonardo facing each other at the dining table.
What had happened earlier did not affect Leonardo as he continued to eat slowly.
Seeing so, Michael frowned with dissatisfaction and looked at him. “Leonardo’s, you have a good relationship with Xiao you, go and talk to him later.”
Leonardo did not answer or refuse. Instead, he said, “Adams is his biological brother.”
Leonardo particularly emphasized “the biological brother” part.
Hearing that Michael’s expression changed slightly.
He stared at Leonardo for a few seconds before saying, “You knew already?”
Leonardo did not answer.
With a slam, Michael slammed the table and shouted angrily. “Leonardo, I’m talking to you.”
Leonardo lowered his eyes and sneered, “Is it important if I knew about it or not? Mother had been kept in the dark all her life, and even grandpa had only found out many years later, right? You sure are something.”
“It was an accident,” Michael said with a pale face.
“That kidnapping was an accident, grandpa’s case was also an accident, Adams being your b*stard is also an accident, and uncle’s car accident is also an accident…” Leonardo paused, as his voice was laced with mocking venom. “Your whole life has been thrown around by accidents, what a failure.”
Michael was so furious that he seemingly lost all senses, pointing at Michael as he yelled at the top of his voice, “Leonardo, you think I dare not pull you down from your position as the CEO of Emerson Corporation?!”
Compared with Michael’s rage, Leonardo was a sea of calm.
He then said slowly. “You could try, and we’ll see who’s faster, you dethroning me from the position of CEO of Emerson Corporation, or me bankrupting Emerson Corporation.”
The reason Michael was willing to hand Emerson Corporation to Leonardo was the extraordinary business acumen Leonardo had.
Emerson Corporation had all sorts of problems under him, and only by handing Emerson Corporation to Leonardo would it rise to a higher level.
But he had never thought that Leonardo would have such thoughts.
He looked at Leonardo in disbelief. “How does bankrupting the Emerson Corporation benefit you! Don’t forget that you are also a Emerson! You, us, the Emerson Corporation are one, bound together through thick and thin!”