I am the King

Chapter 46

The English branch of the Joseph family withdrew their billion-dollar investment, so overnight, Norman and his son were reduced to paupers and were forced to move back into the old Joseph family home. Even Norman's wife couldn't tolerate this new lifestyle and returned to her parents' house.

"Dad, what are we going to do? We don’t have a cent left. If this keeps up, we’ll starve to death," Edison said, his face full of sorrow. He used to be the high and mighty young master of the Joseph family, who lived an extravagant life of luxury. Now, he hadn’t had a full meal in three days. If things didn’t change, he and his father would likely die on the streets.

Norman's face twisted with rage. "Now Franklin and his family are living in a mansion, feasting on gourmet meals, while we suffer like this. I want them to pay!"

Edison sighed. "Dad, we have nothing left. What can we do to them?" Franklin is the chairman of V&E Group now, and they’re nobodies.

"There is a way!" Norman suddenly turned his head, glaring fiercely at Clement, who was sitting in a wheelchair.

Clement trembled under Norman’s vicious gaze. "Norman, what are you planning?"

Norman sneered as he took a few slow steps towards Clement. "Old man, you're a cripple now. You’re useless. Why not help me make one last fortune?"

"W-what do you mean..." Clement stammered, his voice shaking.

Edison frowned and asked, "Yeah, Dad, what do you mean? This old geezer is a cripple. How can he make us rich?"

He then shot a disgusted look at Clement. Clement had lost the ability to take care of himself and often soiled himself. How could such a worthless old man be of any use?

Norman grinned wickedly. "Franklin has always respected you, hasn’t he? Now that you’re in this state, don’t you think he’ll spend some money to help you?"

"Dad, you can't mean..." Edison stared at Norman in disbelief.

"That's right! I’m going to use this old man to blackmail Franklin. I’ll make him pay up so we can enjoy the rest of our lives!" Norman’s eyes gleamed with a predatory light as he stared at Clement.

"You bastard, I'm your father!" Clement shouted, unable to believe how cruel Norman had become.

Slap!

Norman struck Clement hard across the face. "Old man, if you keep mouthing off, I’ll kill you!"

Clement fell silent as tears slowly streamed down his face. The greatest regret of his life was pouring all his energy into Norman.

Edison, excited, said, "Great idea, Dad! If Franklin refuses to pay, we’ll ruin him!"

"Hahaha!"

Father and son exchanged a look and burst into laughter.

***

After the dinner... 

Vincent and Emma returned to Cloudtop Villa. The night's events had brought them closer than ever.

“Ha, you two are finally back!” Una's voice greeted them as they walked through the door. She was sitting on the couch with a cold smile on her face.

“Mom, why aren’t you asleep yet?” Emma asked, puzzled.

Una scowled. “How could I sleep knowing you two went out for a fancy dinner and didn’t even invite me?”

Vincent and Emma exchanged a glance and fell silent.

Emma felt a deep sense of helplessness over her mother’s unreasonable behavior.

The next day.

Vincent and Emma slept in and were enjoying a leisurely morning. They planned to have a relaxing weekend but were met by Hunter and his family at the door.

“Emma, Vincent, you’re up!” Hunter greeted them with a fawning smile.

“Grandpa, what brings you here?” Emma asked, curiosity etched all across her face.

Vincent remained expressionless. He had anticipated this visit. The Barton family was known for their opportunism. After he and Emma’s spectacular dinner last night, he knew they would show up.

Hunter smiled. “Emma, it’s been so long. We missed you and decided to visit.”

Emma glanced at Una, whose expression was sour. Despite her feelings, Una couldn't bring herself to drive her father and brother away.

Franklin sat silently nearby. He was a little upset in his mind. As the Barton family's son-in-law, he was in no position to say much, despite his resentment over how they had treated his family.

Previously, Hunter and his family had ruthlessly driven them away. Now, seeing that they were wealthy, they came crawling back like persistent pests.

Vincent led the Barton family into the villa’s drawing room. He settled on the couch, his gaze piercing as he looked over the Barton family members.

Under Vincent's intense stare, the Barton family stood up from the couch, lowering their heads in discomfort.

“What brings you here? Haven’t you already cut ties with us?” Vincent asked, his tone indifferent.

Kim and Miranda remained silent.

Hunter stepped forward with a forced smile. “Vincent, your grandpa was overwhelmed by the heat of the moment before. Please don’t take it to heart.”

“The heat of the moment, huh? As I recall, you banished us from ever stepping foot in your home permanently,” Vincent replied coldly.

Embarrassment spread across the Barton family’s faces. They realized Vincent intended to humiliate them.

Hunter lowered his voice, almost pleading, "Vincent, it was all our fault. Please forgive us."

Vincent waved his hand dismissively. "Apologizing to me won't help. You should apologize to Emma and Una."

Hunter turned to Una, his face full of guilt. "Una, it’s all my fault. Please forgive me. Can you really bear to end our father-daughter relationship?"

“I...” Una was at a loss for words.

Thinking about Hunter's heartlessness in the past, Una couldn't hold back her tears. "Dad, you were so cruel. I'm your daughter. How could you throw me out? All my life, you favored my brother and ignored me..."

Hunter's expression was a wash with shame. "It was all my fault. I failed you as a father." He then glared at Kim and Miranda. "You two, apologize to Una right now!"