Things had been going just fine not long ago. So, what had changed over the past few days? It was as if illness had struck—swift and unforgiving. Not only had several people suddenly turned their backs on him, some even refused to see him altogether. Even old friends were shutting their doors, let alone those whom he wasn’t close with.

Melvin let out a sigh. Though disappointed, he knew there had to be something those people couldn’t say out loud. No matter how much he pressed, if they didn’t want to talk, there was nothing he could do. Some things simply couldn’t be forced.

Once he understood that, he didn’t feel quite as bad. It seemed there were lessons that useless son of his needed to figure out on his own–only then would they truly sink in.

“Alright, thank you. I understand. I’ll figure out what to do once I’m back.”

His old friend didn’t say much in return. With a son like Joseph, he had no interest in keeping ties with Melvin any longer, unless he could keep that son under control. Otherwise, the entire company would be run into the ground sooner or later. He had offended too many people. Winning those connections back would be nearly impossible now. The old friend shook his head without meaning to. He had his own life to worry about—why should he bother with someone else’s mess?

Back on Melvin’s side, after parting ways with his friend, his expression grew dark. After visiting so many companies, what else did he need to know? It was obvious his good-for-nothing son had stirred up trouble again. Otherwise, how could they have lost those projects? Everything they’d said to him was more than enough of a warning.

“Joseph Hunt, you ungrateful brat!”

"Why did you suddenly rush back? Did something happen?”

“Tell me, where’s that son of yours?”

Crystal’s eyes darted nervously. Oh no, she thought. Who told him? Still, she kept a smile on her face. “Don’t be upset, darling. Let me explain. He’s doing it all for the sake of Hunt Enterprises.”

“I’ll ask you one more time–where is he?”

The fury on Melvin’s face made her heart sink. Something was definitely wrong. “What on earth happened?”

“Do you even know what your son’s been up to out there?”

The moment he met her eyes, Melvin knew she was the one who let Joseph go. That boy wouldn’t have dared otherwise.

Crystal stiffened, thinking of what Joseph had told her—that better days were coming, and Melvin would understand everything later. So, she repeated every word Joseph had said to her.

“Outrageous!”

Melvin slammed his hand across the table, knocking everything off. “Absolutely outrageous! Have I ever let you two go hungry or left you without clothes? And for a bit of money, you’d stoop this low?"

“Do you really think the world is going to cater to your little schemes?”

Crystal was stunned. She couldn’t understand what she’d done wrong to make him this angry.