After Five Years of Flattery, Back to Being a Rich Young Master

Next, the moment for my revenge had arrived.

I would repay Madeline for every ounce of suffering she had inflicted upon me until the Whitman family was no more.

Madeline lunged at me and grasped my sleeve, ready to slap me. But I was quicker, catching her wrist before she could land the blow.

With a snap, I stared into her astonished face and returned the favor with a resounding backhand slap.

I had fantasized about this moment for far too long.

"Madeline, now it's your turn to beg for mercy from me," I declared.

Releasing her wrist, I wiped my fingers with disdain.

As I stepped back, the door to the room swung open.

Madeline clutched her face, and her eyes were burning with resentment.

"Drag this madman away! I'm going to end him!" she screamed.

I had put all my strength into that slap, so her face must have been swollen.

I retreated to the manager's side, watching Madeline with a mix of interest and disdain.

She seemed unable to comprehend the situation clearly.

"Madeline, I'll give you a chance," I said.

"Kneel on the ground and lick the wine off my shoes, and I will spare the Whitman family."

Madeline was dumbfounded, and her eyes betrayed her confusion as she looked at me.

A few seconds later, she charged at me like a wild beast.

"William, who do you think you are?" she snarled.

But before she could reach me, she was restrained by the bodyguards who had rushed in.

I slowly removed the cumbersome doll costume, observing her playfully.

"Madeline, you should know yourself well," I said calmly.

"Within three days, repay every penny you've spent at this pub over the past five years, or I will ensure the Whitman family vanishes from Huxton."

The manager bowed respectfully. His face mirrored his inward obsequiousness.

"Mr. Jones, your parents await your return home," he said.

I waved a hand and followed him out.

After settling into the car, I felt the small box in my pocket.

It contained the remnants of the system's redemption: the Resurrection Pill, which was capable of bringing my grandmother, Jennifer Jones, back to life.

Five years ago, I was coerced into binding with this absurd system.

Jennifer had suffered a fatal car accident on her way to see me. The system promised that if I followed Madeline and completed ninety-nine tasks unconditionally, Jennifer would be revived.

Compared to my dignity, Jennifer's life was paramount.

Even if given the chance, I would make the same choice.

The first thing I did upon returning home was to visit Jennifer's room.

The Jones family had hired the best doctors and cared for her diligently.

Yet, the results were minimal.

I pushed the door open, my fingertips trembling as I gazed upon her familiar face.

"Grandma, I'm sorry," I whispered.

If not for me, she wouldn't have been trapped in this unending slumber.

I opened the box and fed her the pill.

The lines on the monitoring instruments began to shift, and Jennifer's fingers twitched slightly.

"Doctor, my grandma is moving!" I called out.

The doctors by the door flooded in, and I was pushed aside.

With a livid expression, my father, Leo Jones, yanked me out by the collar.

"William, are you looking for a fight?

"Have you had your fill of fun?"

When I first bound with the system, I had forsaken the family business.

Leo had shouldered the burden alone for five years, so he looked much older and wearier.

I pulled at the corners of my mouth, offering a bitter smile.

"Dad, I've made up my mind. I'll take over my responsibility as the heir," I said.

Though I had never before taken charge of the Jones family's business, I had made private preparations.

Moreover, these five years were not entirely wasted.

The small company I owned was thriving.

Leo released his grip, snorting coldly.

"What about that Madeline you were so infatuated with? Do you truly not care for her anymore?" he asked.

Leo understood my entanglement with Madeline with an intimacy that bordered on prophetic, so his every utterance dripped with skepticism.