Chapter 381:
Jerald’s chest heaved, his anger spiking and his blood pressure rising. He said sternly, “Caden, I am your biological father! Aren’t you afraid of the consequences of treating me this way?”
Caden looked down, his voice devoid of warmth. “The only retribution I see is yours. You lived off my mother’s wealth for decades, forgetting your humble beginnings. Every cent of the Yates family fortune was earned by her. She loved you deeply, yet you betrayed her from the start, lying to her for seven years.” His composure, perfected over years, remained cold and emotionless as he faced Jerald calmly. “If you genuinely seek my forgiveness and are willing to repent, perhaps I might show compassion and assist you. But you’ve relied on others your entire life. Are you capable of changing that?”
Jerald’s eyes reddened as he scowled. “How can you blame me for cheating? Your mother always acted so superior, constantly reminding me, directly or indirectly, that I was never good enough for her! A man wants a woman who admires and respects him. Could she ever give me that?”
Caden sneered. “You lived off the Ward family’s privileges. Yet, because your pride was hurt, you conspired with your lover and caused her death.”
Jerald gasped, his words faltering. With nothing left to lose, he spat out, “She wouldn’t accept Sheila and didn’t want Joshua to know his origins. She left me no choice!”
Caden pressed his lips together. The memory of his mother’s death on the operating table flooded back, the pain excruciating, as if his heart were being torn apart. Jerald, growing agitated, suffered a relapse of an old ailment. Struggling to catch his breath, he fumbled for his medication, swallowing several pills. But the pain lingered, unrelenting. Leaning on his cane, he attempted to reach Caden, but stumbled, falling to his knees. He struggled to rise, his body refusing to cooperate. Looking up at Caden with defiance, he rasped, “Even if you despise me, my blood is in your veins. To hate me is to hate yourself! Fix the crisis in my company now, and release Sheila. I need her service!”
Caden gazed at him, his eyes cold and piercing. “Jerald, your days are over.”
Desperate, Jerald threatened, “If you don’t help me, don’t expect to succeed in Warrington. I’ll use all my connections against you!”
Caden scoffed, disdain evident in his voice. “You’re struggling to speak, and yet you think you can bring me down?” With a deliberate step, he crushed the medication bottle under his foot. “Ever wondered why your medication isn’t working?”
Jerald was stunned. He asked shakily, “What do you mean?”
Caden’s expression remained cold. “The medication Joshua provided for you is fake.”
Jerald’s eyes widened in disbelief. He reached for the bottle, but Caden stepped on his hand. Jerald yelped in pain, his fingers clutching Caden’s pant leg. “Caden!”