The Son Who Wasn’t WantedChapter 2

In an instant, all eyes were fixed on me. Ashton and Sarah jolted their heads up, as if clutching a last straw of hope.

“Tell us! Anything! We’ll agree to any condition if you save Ken!”

Slowly, I articulated my terms:

“First, all shares of the Gosling Corporation will be immediately transferred to my name.”

“Second, Ken will be removed from the Gosling family registry.”

“From this day forward, you will never acknowledge him again.”

My words hung in the air, plunging the entire scene into an oppressive silence. Everyone stared at me as if I were a madman. They hadn’t expected such greed, such utter ruthlessness. The hope on Ashton and Sarah’s faces froze, replaced by shock and disbelief.

“You… what did you say?” Sarah’s voice trembled.

“Adrian! So, you are after the Gosling family fortune!”

Cassy was the first to react, pointing a finger at my nose, her face contorted with scorn and fury.

“I never realized until now that you were such a materialistic man!”

She seemed to think she had caught me, her voice laced with menace.

“Go save Ken right now, and I can pretend none of this happened.”

“Otherwise, we’ll break off our engagement immediately!”

She truly believed I still cared about that ridiculous engagement. I looked at her and suddenly chuckled.

“Alright.”

I answered crisply.

“We’ll break off the engagement.”

The triumphant smirk on Cassy’s face stiffened; she couldn’t believe her ears.

“You… what did you say? Adrian, have you been wanting to break up with me for a long time?”

My smile widened. “Congratulations, you got it right.”

Her face instantly flushed, her body trembling with rage.

“Ah—!”

Ken, on the horse’s back, let out a final, desperate shriek, his body tilting precariously, on the verge of falling.

“Ken!” Sarah cried out hysterically, nearly fainting. Ashton’s psychological defenses completely shattered. He gritted his teeth, forcing out words as if through a vice.

“Fine! I agree! I’ll agree to anything!”

I smiled, satisfied. From a nearby saddlebag, I produced the pre-prepared share transfer agreement and a declaration of disinheritance.

“Words are worthless. Sign them now.”

Everyone was shocked anew by my foresight. Seeing my preparations, Sarah pointed at me, too furious to speak.

“Adrian! You… you’re utterly heartless!”

“Sign it.”

I waved the documents and pen in my hand, urging them. “Any later, and I can’t guarantee he’ll still be alive.”

The two exchanged glances, seeing the struggle and pain in each other’s eyes. Ultimately, their affection for their adopted son won out. Their hands trembling, they took the documents and pen, and under everyone’s gaze, signed their names. Each stroke seemed to drain them of all their strength.

I took the papers, carefully checking the signatures and fingerprints. Once confirmed, I tucked them away with a satisfied air. Three copies: one for me, one for them, and one notarized by a lawyer. Completely foolproof.

“Alright, now can we go save him?”

Cassy glared at me, seething, as if she wanted to devour me whole. Ashton and Sarah, too, had risen from the ground, their eyes fixed on me with hopeful anticipation.

“Of course.”

I smiled, placing my hands on the armrests, making a motion to stand. Everyone held their breath.

And in that moment, I pulled back the thin blanket covering my legs, revealing the heavily bandaged cast in its entirety to everyone. Then, I offered them an apologetic, innocent smile.

“My apologies.”

“My leg is injured. I can’t save him.”