His constantpromises and concessions had never satisfied his mother. He had loved Emma so deeply, yet they had drifted apart. Even his own son, Bet,


    wasn''t on his side.


    Mrs. Thompson Sr. always hammered home the idea that he owed Eden.


    But Frank had no idea what he supposedly owed him.


    Eden was never the child he had wanted; his very existence had nearly cost Frank his beloved wife and son. Even so, Frank had never mistreated him.


    Eden grew up in luxury, and when he was older, Frank funded his firstpany and even gave him a shipping firm from the Thompson Group''s portfolio.


    But he was still not satisfied. He wanted the Thompson Group.


    But the Thompson Group was the joint property of Frank and Emma. In fact, without Emma, there would be no Thompson Group today.


    Only a child of Frank and Emma had the right to inherit it.


    As an illegitimate son, what right did he have?


    "I''ve handed the case over to thewyers. Whatever the court decides, so be it,” Frank said, his voice heavy with exhaustion.


    He had done more than enough for his mother and for Eden.


    The only person he truly owed anything to in this life was his wife.


    Mr. Thompson Sr. listened to Frank''s answer and nodded with some satisfaction. "Ambitious without the ability to back it up. He''d just cause more trouble sooner orter. A few years in prison might do him some good."


    "You''re right," Frank agreed.


    "How is your mother?" Mr. Thompson Sr. asked.


    There was no love left between him and his wife; their marriage was in name only. Having witnessed countless deaths on the battlefield in his youth, Mr. Thompson Sr. was far more detached than Frank and had long since epted his wife''s mortality. Frank replied, "I''ve already asked someone to start preparing for her funeral. The doctors say she doesn''t have much time."


    "Keep the funeral low-key. We don''t want it to sh with the family''s happy asions," Mr. Thompson Sr. instructed.


    "I understand," Frank nodded.


    Having said all he needed to, Mr. Thompson Sr. waved a hand, dismissing Frank.


    After Frank left, Mr. Thompson Sr. turned to Bet, who was sitting across from him. His expression softened slightly, but his tone remained cool and serious.


    "The authorities have started investigating the Walker family."


    "Did Eden''s case give them a lead?" Bet raised an eyebrow.


    Mr. Thompson Sr. exined, "The death of Colin Gonzalez, the fall of the Rogers family, and Tim Walker''s case all of them had threads leading back to the Walker''s


    Eden''s case has given the


    Nov


    investigators the final clue they


    néeded. It seems the Walker family''s


    luck has finally run out."


    Bet said nothing, simply lighting a cigarette with a slow, deliberate motion.


    He had been ying a long game


    with Ynda for years, allowing the


    Walker family to enjoy the benefits


    that came with the


    connection to


    the Thompsons. Human greed, after


    all, is cultivated day by day.


    When Bet abruptly called off the engagement, the Walkers, unwilling to lose


    their cash cow, turned their sights on the illegitimate son, Eden.


    One step after another, they were finally forced into a corner, exposing themselves.


    Vincent, who had considered


    himself a brilliant strategist his


    whole life would probably be fullef


    regret if he knew he was being


    brought down by his own "prized"


    son-inw.


    Mr. Thompson Sr. always took an afternoon nap, so after he retired, everyone else gradually took their leave.