Back to present.
"What are you doing?!", Aubrey pushed Adamson away and he stumbled backwards.
He was reminded of the time when he was almost choked to death by Adamson. His cold fingers circling around his neck and gripping his throat out. It was a gruesome experience. He didn't like anyone touching his neck other than Lucy. He hated it.
"Ah? So you do feel something.. you're still scared of me, Aubrey.", Adamson smiled wickedly. He was amused.
"Yeah right! Because you're a devil in human flesh! Who isn't afraid of you?!", Aubrey shouted. His voice high. He couldn't stand it. Why was he so easily frustrated?
Adamson became silent. Such a title.. it fit him perfectly. But somehow he felt bitter when he heard it from Aubrey.
"A devil? You're brave..", he sneered.
Who was the one that made him into a devil if not his parents? Such audacious remark.. Aubrey didn't know a clue about what he had to endure. Still ignorant up to this day.
"Proceed with the application. And just like before, I'll work from home.", Aubrey turned around, he was going back.
"Home?", Adamson faced Aubrey.
"So now you have a home?", he said, his tone mocking.
"What? I can't have a home? Or do you think that mansion is my home? You're wrong, that place is a hell for me. You built that hell.", Aubrey walked away quickly.
He didn't want to be in the same room with Adamson much longer. He felt like exploding. His heart bled whenever he sees him. Adamson was right, the wound he had inflicted in Aubrey wouldn't heal just overnight. It was more than that. Fear, disgust, hatred, hate, longing, and even betrayal.. all of them were mixed together in a broken bowl. Battered and shattered to the ground.
Aubrey knew he wouldn't be able to make it up to his past. But he didn't care anymore. He swore to move on.
He walked through the highest floor and went past the office of the chairman's personal team. All employees bowed their head to him in respect. They had been working under the head consultant for three years, but never imagined that it was the second son, Aubrey himself.
He got inside the private elevator and pressed the button to head downstairs. Adamson's guards didn't try to stop him.
"Lucy, I'm heading home now.", he called his wife. His smile appeared and it replaced the grim look he had just now.
"Really?! That was fast! Is everything okay?", Lucy asked Aubrey. She was curious.
"Yes, it's a miracle I didn't pass out.", he joked around. A chuckle left his mouth.
"Well.. you're so confident now.. my cute honey!", Lucy laughed. Her voice was like a medicine to his ear.
"Don't call me cute..", he shook his head, but was still smiling.
•••
"This is ridiculous. I can't even win against the first son, now I have to face the second son?!", Benjamin Lee banged the table. His hand hurt but he didn't care.
More competitors meant more trouble. He wasn't ready to face Adamson's wrath if he ever wanted to seize the power. But now he had to go through another successor.
"Elaine, don't just stand there like a doll! Say something!", Benjamin turned to the woman who was silent ever since she came inside his office.
"What should I say? We're here as subordinates, Benjamin. Not enemies.", Elaine sighed. She was worried that Benjamin would one day cross the line. He was too prideful and ambitious.
"Say that again and I will fire you. You're supposed to stand on my side, not theirs!", Benjamin crossed his arms. Elaine would always lecture him as if he was wrong. Was it so wrong to get what you wanted?
"Benjamin, I suggest you forget about your plan to acquire more shares in the company. Your 6% is more than enough for your lifetime!", she argued.
"Hah? You think my 6% is enough? Look at Adamson's shares. He just has 35 but he's so powerful. His shares aren't just in Lee Group. There are many more in the top five!", Benjamin scoffed.
He found it weird when he got to know Adamson only has 35% of shares in Lee Group. Other board members' shares didn't even reach 30%. Who held another 35?
"Could it be the second son?", Benjamin said suddenly. He frowned upon the idea.
Elaine watched as he was thinking on something. She didn't know how to reach Benjamin anymore. She didn't want to get involved but she also didn't want to leave Benjamin on his own. They were from the same orphanage, he was like a real brother to her. And she cared for him.
"What are you planning now?", she asked.
"What? You will not agree with me anyway, why ask?", he turned away. Elaine was simply too scared to even fight for her rights.
She clenched her fist, pissed. She was worried about him but he was being unreasonable!
"Fine! Do whatever you want, don't ever come to me when you need help.", she walked out of the office angrily.
Some of the employees looked at each other in wonder. Elaine Lee was known as a woman with a cool head, always in prudent behavior. What made her stomp her feet like that?
"Vice president, is there something wrong?", her assistant asked.
"No. continue with your work.", she went inside her own office. Still with a tight face.
•••
Cough- Cough-
"Damn..", Adamson covered his mouth with a handkerchief. The cloth that was white was now tainted in red. He didn't have much time left.
He called for his secretary, and Elena came in immediately. She saw his pale face and she began to worry.
"What happened chairman Lee?!", she remembered Aubrey was here not long ago. Was this because of him?!
"Not your concern. Get the document ready for Aubrey to reassign his position.", Adamson sat on the couch.
"Reassign?", she became confused.
"He'll become the CEO.", he said.
Later, he sent Elena outside as he wanted to be alone. He reclined onto the soft couch. He thought about a lot of things. But not even one in which he was right. He knew he was wrong. But he didn't regret it. He was no longer a pure soul the moment his mother betrayed him.