Chapter 254
After hanging up the phone, Henry pinched the space between his brows in frustration.
He was starting to feel a little listless as he lay on the couch.
Just then, a loud bang came from the door accompanied by Charles‘ furious roar. “Henry! Come out here, you coward! How could you just leave the entire company in my care, you prick?”
In the past, Charles was angry that he did not get to have a say in company matters because Henry was in charge of running it.
However, there was no pleasing Charles, for he was still angry even after Henry had delegated the power to him.
“Didn’t I already transfer Jo’s shares to you? And didn’t we agree that I’d transfer my shares to you at the current market price, too?” Henry countered evenly as he opened the door.
Charles grabbed Henry by the collar and hissed, “What are you playing here?”
It was precisely because everything was going so smoothly that Charles grew suspicious.
He had been fighting with Henry for so many years, and they could not stand the sight of each other. That being said, there were moments when they commiserated with one another, too.
“What, are you unhappy now that you’ve gotten what you wanted all along? Henry asked sarcastically, snorting.
“You gave me your shares, and I’ve already seen the contract that you had your lawyer draw up for the transfer You even gave Quinton a portion of the shares, too. So, what are you up to? Are you actually going to leave Gibson Corporation?” Charles was
anxious
“You might want to keep it a secret if you still want what you’ve been longing for,” Henry warned gravely. It seemed as if his lawyer
had been careless,
“And w
you… you even left all your money and family assets to Josia.” Charles was still clutching Henry’s collar as he took a deep breath and said urgently, “Come on, Henry, don’t scare me like this. Are you actually going to leave Hofcaster and start a business of
your own?”
“Yes,” Henry answered nonchalantly with no intention of explaining further.
“Are you out of your mind?” Charles demanded. He wanted nothing more than to beat some sense into Henry at that moment.
“You’re just going to give up everything because Josie doesn’t want you anymore?”
Henry made no reply.
“That stubborn, huh?” Charles turned away from Henry. He had to tell Josie that Henry was behaving oddly.
“Charles, you know as well as I do what’s at stake here. If others were to find out about this, then don’t even think about getting any of my shares, Henry threatened grimly.
Charles stopped in his tracks and inhaled sharply. “Like I care about those shares. Don’t try to threaten me, damn it.”
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He was not going to let Henry embark on the wrong. path. No amount of shares was worth
the
consequences of that decision
“Everything in the Gibson family never belonged to me, anyway. Are you doubting my ability to start from scratch, or are you worried that I might become your top rival in the future?” Henry asked half jokingly.
Charles frowned, but he breathed a sigh of relief. He might not have anything to worry about if those were Henry’s honest thoughts. “Since young, you’ve always been the sort to torture yourself for the sake of pride”
“Don’t breathe a word of this to Josie. Her condition just got better, and so has her relationship with Samuel. I can’t have her worrying about me, Henry bit out.
“What condition?” Charles asked, frowning.
“Jo… has been suffering from leukemia. She just finished the first round of treatment and she needs someone to take care of her. Her body can’t take any more strain, Henry explained with a bitter smile.
Charles might be a prick, but he was kind to Josie.
The only reason Henry had willingly given Charles his shares was so that Charles would stop involving Josie in his schemes, and would properly take care of her for a change.
ne Jo was sick?”
“You bastard!” Charles cursed angrily. “Why didn’t you tell me.
“I only found out after the fact…” Henry confessed, his smile still bitter.
Charles took a deep breath to calm himself. “You’re the worst, Henry…”
“Yes, indeed.” Henry nodded. “Which is why I’m hoping to prove myself by starting from scratch somewhere new
Charles was silent for a long time before he finally nodded and conceded, “Fine, then. I’ll keep this from Josie for now
Henry nodded curtly.
“As for the company, I believe you’ll run it well.” Henry looked at Charles steadily, and his voice broke as he added, “Grandpa poured his blood, sweat, and tears into the company. It’s the foundation and empire built by both the Gibson family and the Larson family. I contributed nothing to its success… In other words, I don’t deserve any part of it
“That’s not true. You wouldn’t have been in charge of the reins if you weren’t capable. As much as i hate to admit it… you’ve contributed more to Gibson Corporation than I have all these years.” Charles praised Henry reluctantly, averting the latter’s gaze.
Charles could deny it all he wanted, but Henry really had done more for the company than he ever could.
“All these years, I’ve given the company everything I’ve got and completely neglected Jo… It’s my fault for feeling so inferior to everyone else that I work so hard to prove myself. I wanted to prove that I can manage Gibson Corporation better than my predecessors… I wanted to show Josie that I can launch the company to greater heights…”
His inferiority played a huge role in the way things had turned out between him and Josie.
Charles gaped at Henry in disbelief. “I can’t believe he’s telling me all this like we’re having a heart–to–heart,” he thought in surprise.
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Interior? A perfect man like you? I can’t even count
unt the
times my grandpa compared me to you when I was a kid. When I grow up, my dad started comparing the both of us, too! I was so sick of hearing your name that I would lose my appetite at the mention of it!” Charles snapped irritably.
Henry smiled. “Bemoan about how I always outshine you if you want, but now that I’m leaving the company for good, you’ll finally get the recognition you deserve.”
“What do you mean? Are you trying to say that I’m always going to live in your shadow? Charles chuckled and lit up a cigarette, then handed one to Henry. “I’ll give you three years to make a name for yourself, but if you fall, you’d better come back right away.”
Henry laughed heartily. “You might want to watch your back by then because I’ll become your biggest rival.”
“You lost Josie to Samuel because you girlfriend,”
didn’t cherish her enough, Henry. You still have a long way to go. Learn to cherish your next
Henry took a long drag of his cigarette, and the smoke nearly choked him. Tears sprang to his eyes on roflex as he held back a
cough.
He did not think he could ever move on from Josie.
“All right, that’s enough bantering for a
Lot’s grab a meal when we both have the time. Out of sheer magnanimity, I’ll have a laugh with you and let bygones be bygones.” Charles concluded their conversation with a firm tap on Henry’s shoulder.
“Will you just go already?” Henry shoved Charles out of the door and closed it firmly to make a point.
“You prick!” Charles exclaimed, then sighed in resignation.
In any case, he could understand what Henry was going through, even if Henry could not. The family he was raised in had a great role to play in shaping one’s worldview.
Josie and Henry both had their own wounds to heal. In other words, they were both hurt.
As such, they grew a layer of spikes to protect themselves from harm.
They stubbornly tried to stay together, but they only ended up hurting each other.
The one thing that made Josie smarter than Henry was that she chose to be with Samuel.
Samuel grew up in a warm and happy family, which explained his wholesome personality. He was like a doctor who could take Josie’s hurt away and heal her properly,
Hopefully, there would be someone like that for Henry as well.
Unfortunately, Henry’s wounds went deeper than Josie’s, as far as Charles could tell.
Henry was covered in wounds from head to toe.
When Charles left Henry that day, he felt as if H
e wounds were physical, Henry would have bled himself dry.
if those
After Charles left, Henry returned to the couch and lay down quietly.
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“Forward the pictures of Hazel getting cozy with Silan to Sergio, just like we planned.”
mong the parties.
Henry could fully exact vengeance was by stirring up internal conflict among
y way Her
The only
He would not let those who had hurt him and Jonio get away unscathed, especially Hazel and Spike.
The biggest mistake they had made was to give birth to him in the first place.
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