Chapter 374: A Life for a Life

“If you don’t pay us back for our son’s life, our family will kill ourselves right here. We’ll bathe your Thornton Corporation in blood!” the elderly couple shouted, their distress and frustration palpable.

This, of course, sent the media into a frenzy. Reporters swarmed the victim's family, bombarding them with questions.

“How did your husband pass away?”

“It’s all Thornton Corporation’s fault!” the woman screamed. “If it weren’t for this damned company messing around with unstable projects, my husband wouldn’t have been killed in the explosion! My poor husband was always diligent and hardworking. How could he have suffered such an undeserved fate? Even if I were to die today, Thornton Corporation must give us an explanation!”

Her gaze sharpened, brimming with ruthless determination.

Just then, Derek and Madelyn arrived.

Feeling helpless, Derek shouted, “Everyone, please stay calm!”

Silence fell instantly.

Derek stepped forward. “I’m the chairman of Thornton Corporation. Are any of you relatives of the deceased employee?”

“So, you’re in charge of this lousy company, huh? I’ll kill you!” the woman yelled, pulling a fruit knife and lunging at Derek.

“Oh no!”

Shocked, Madelyn reacted instantly, delivering a flying kick that sent the woman sprawling. Seeing the knife fly away and her father safe, Madelyn rushed to help the woman up.

“Are you okay?”

“You vile woman! Get lost!” the woman spat, shoving Madelyn away. She then lashed out, “If it weren’t for your meddling, my husband wouldn’t have died! He was improving, but you insisted I go home to rest. That’s why I wasn’t at the hospital last night, and he died! It’s all your fault! I’ll kill you!”

The woman, berserk, unleashed a barrage of punches. Madelyn, unable to retaliate in time, endured several painful blows.

Even as Cyrus intervened, separating the two required considerable effort.

“Madam, please calm down!”

“Calm down? How do you expect me to calm down?”

Despite being pulled away, the woman raged, “My husband is dead! He’s not related to you, so it’s easy for you to say ‘calm down.’ But what am I supposed to do? My parents and children have lost their support. How can I stay calm? What right do you have to expect that of me?”

Cyrus sighed, trying to soothe her. “I understand. Tell me, what will it take for you to forgive us?”

“I want you to pay with your lives!” she bellowed, pointing at Madelyn. “My husband’s death is because of this wretched woman! I want her to pay for her crime!”

“No way,” Derek replied instantly, his anger evident. “My daughter didn’t kill your husband. Getting her to pay with her life is out of the question. Of course, we’ll take responsibility. If you have other suggestions for compensation, we can consider them.”

The woman’s expression turned grim. Do they think they can buy my husband’s life?

Before she could argue further, her family members pulled her back. The elderly couple leaned close, coaxing her.

“Don’t be naive, my dear,” the elderly woman said gravely. “My son is gone. Even if she paid with her life, what would you gain?”

“At least I’d vent my frustration!” the woman thundered. “And Sean could rest in peace knowing justice was served!”

Her father-in-law slapped her. “Nonsense! My son is dead. He’d worry most about us and his children. Do you think he’ll rest in peace knowing we aren’t doing well?”

“But—”

“Enough!” the elderly couple interrupted. They pushed their daughter-in-law aside and approached Derek.

“Since you’re offering compensation, we’ll accept it. If the amount is sufficient to settle this peacefully, we’ll act as if none of this happened,” the elderly man stated bluntly.

Derek took a deep breath. “In that case, what amount are you seeking?”

The elders glanced at the reporters. “Let’s take this conversation inside,” they suggested.

Derek ushered them into the building. They were soon seated in the reception room, each served coffee.

“State your requests,” Derek said solemnly. “But I have a condition. I’ll compensate your family, but you must stop. No more bringing this up, or fabricating stories. Can you do that?”

“Don’t worry. If we settle this, we’ll keep our word,” the elderly man reassured.

Derek nodded. “How much do you want?”

“Fifty million,” the elderly man said without hesitation.

Disbelief filled the room.

What? This old geezer is greedy!

Madelyn was about to speak, but Derek cut her off. “Are you trying to extort us? Your son likely wouldn’t earn ten million in a lifetime, let alone fifty.”

“There’s no way I’ll give you that much. Reconsider.”

The other party responded unreasonably. “Isn’t your company worth hundreds of millions? What’s the big deal about fifty million?”