“Hugo, did you forget who signed for these packages?” I asked, my voice dangerously low. “Are you so sure these belong to you?”
“Mom, Dad,” I said, turning to my parents. “These are the gifts from your other three grandchildren.”
Serena, Lara, and Isaac all frowned at my words.
“Victor, you are shameless!” Serena shrieked. “Everyone knows those supplements are from the Stanfor Research Division! They’re impossible to get!”
“And those jewels are from Lionheart Media,” Isaac chimed in. “They’re obviously a gift from my investor, the one and only Leo!”
“Aura Corp’s newest partner is The Clarity Group,” Lara added, her voice sharp. “Dad, don’t make things up You’ll offend some very important people.”
“Brother, I know you’ve always been jealous of me,” Hugo said, his eyes welling up with fake tears. “But you
can’t just take things that aren’t yours…” He looked plaintively at Bianca.
She stepped in front of him, her gaze like ice.
“Victor, don’t push your luck.”
“Look at where you are! Stop making a scene, get on your knees, apologize, and say something nice for the
occasion.”
“Let it go, let it go, we’re all family…” my mother tried to intervene, sensing the explosive tension. She knev
her eldest son’s character better than anyone.
“Mom! You always take his side! This is Dad’s 80th birthday!” Serena cried, cutting her off. My mother hesita
ted, then turned her head away.
“Victor,” my father thundered, successfully incited. “If you don’t kneel and apologize to Hugo right now, you can stop calling yourself a Song.” This son of his was not only a failed house-husband, but he had also brou ght public shame on them with the divorce. Was he going to embarrass him again on his 80th birthday?
Bianca watched me, a sliver of annoyance in her eyes. I wasn’t cowering. I was standing tall, straight as a pine tree. She hated it. I was supposed to be bent, broken before her. Why did it seem like leaving her hac only made me stronger? No. Victor Song was meant to spend his life looking up at her.
She gave a subtle signal to her assistant. The man saw the look on Hugo’s face and understood immediate- ly. The CEO wanted him to put her ex-husband in his place. It was the holidays. A perfect chance to earn a bonus. This Victor character was clearly a nobody. Pleasing the boss and her husband meant pleasing the real power in the family.
“Don’t touch me!”
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17:02
17:02
Chapter 2
I sidestepped the assistant as he reached for me. Lara and Isaac frowned but did nothing to stop him.
But I never expected what came next. From behind me, Serena kicked me squarely in the small of my back.
As I fell to my knees, the assistant grabbed me, ready to slam my head against the floor.
“I’d like to see you try and touch my father!” a furious voice roared from the doorway. Everyone turned.
Claire and Talia stood there, their faces thunderous. Talia sent the assistant flying with a single, vicious kick and helped me to my feet.
“Dad, are you okay?” Claire asked, her eyes dark with a chilling anger. “Leo’s held up by the paparazzi, he sai he’ll be a bit later.” She leaned in. “Dad, do you want me to handle this…?”
I shook my head, my gaze falling on Serena with final, absolute disappointment.
‘Victor, you have some nerve!” my father bellowed. “Bringing these… these tramps to my birthday party t
cause trouble!”
