Chapter 19: A Compensation
The man winced in pain, his voice filled with anger. “Even if you get past me, it’s pointless. You can’t escape their control as long as you live in this city!”
Caleb didn’t care and pushed the door open, rushing out. Upon reaching the third floor, he was immediately struck by the sight of voluminous, wavy hair.
“Caleb, I’ve already told you. There’s no escaping,” Yelena grinned.
Caleb pushed her away. “How would I know if I don’t try?”
He arrived on the first floor, where Deborah was waiting at the entrance. “Caleb, have you spoken with your father? I’m worried about your injuries so much that I didn’t sleep last night. Can you come home, please?” said Deborah as two tears slid down her cheeks.
Upon seeing that, Caleb suddenly felt deflated. “Tell me what I have to do for you all to let me go?”
While at home, he was subjected to all kinds of abuse. After he moved out, they did everything in their power to hinder him. For the first time, Caleb discovered just how terrifying his family was. Even when they had sent him to prison, he had never felt such despair.
“Caleb, what are you saying? We are your family!” Tears welled in Deborah’s eyes as she held onto Caleb’s hand. “I was really worried about you. Look at you. You haven’t even cleaned up the blood. Come home with me. Let’s have a doctor give you a full check-up.”
Caleb scoffed, “Do I have a choice?”
Deborah’s expression stiffened. “Caleb, do you hate me?”
Caleb remained silent.
With a bitter smile, Deborah admitted, “I suppose that’s only natural. I did change your surname, and I didn’t visit you in prison during those five years.”
She gave Caleb’s hand a gentle pat. “I will make it up to you. Look, Jesse is here, too. He’s the one urging me to come find you. He’s fundamentally a good guy. Try to get along well with him. All the shares in Quixall Group belong to the two of you.”
Suddenly, Caleb said, “I want all the shares of Quixall Group, as well as all the wealth under Dad’s name.” Deborah was taken aback before she looked away. “I can’t make a decision on this matter. You need to ask your dad…”
Caleb was intensely gazing into Deborah’s eyes. “Mrs. Quixall, didn’t you mention compensating me? Why are you now saying you can’t make the decision? You never treated me like your own son from the start, so what ‘compensation’ are you talking about?”
After observing for quite a while, Jesse couldn’t help but step forward and say a few words. “Caleb, you’ve crossed the line! Mom has been losing sleep over you, and the first thing you ask for when you see her is the assets. Aren’t you being too materialistic?”
Amused, Caleb asked, “What about you? Why did you choose to stay with the Quixall family? Would you still choose the same if the Quixall family were poor?”
Jesse had no words of rebuttal for that.
Deborah immediately shielded Jesse behind her. “He isn’t that kind of child. Even if the Quixall family falls on hard times, he will always stay with us!”
She asked, seeking confirmation, “Isn’t that right, Jesse?”
Jesse nodded repeatedly. “Yeah, Mom. I came to you because I wanted to experience the warmth of a family. Before I came here, I had never felt what it’s like to be cared for…”
Deborah’s heart ached terribly. “I know. Don’t worry, the Quixall family won’t fall apart. I’ll take good care of everyone.”
Caleb didn’t want to watch the loving act the two were putting on, so he walked past Deborah. He only took a few steps away when he felt a strong force pulling at his feet. It turned out to be Deborah, who had larched onto his leg. “Caleb, please don’t leave! I’ll talk to your father, okay? Once Jesse inherits the company, I’ll make sure you become the deputy CEO. Does that sound good?”