Decade of the Fool

The first place on the financial ranking Lenora mentioned was held by me.

After reconnecting with my parents, I used their resources to rise swiftly, monopolizing domestic and international trade routes.

My influence spread quickly across markets in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, information technology, and entertainment.

I had carved out a place in almost every sector.

By the time my overseas assignment was complete, I had successfully claimed the top spot on the financial rankings.

Unfortunately, no matter how much I explained, Lenora and Nathan refused to believe me.

I would just have to wait and watch their faces three days from now.

Needless to say, the housewarming party ended on a sour note.

Once everyone had left, Lenora ordered the housemaids to clear out a storage room and impatiently said to me, “You can stay there.”

Her tone and attitude made it clear that I was not welcome.

My sleeping arrangement did not bother me as I only cared about getting closer to Lily.

After nodding in agreement, Nathan and Lenora exchanged looks, as if proud of themselves.

“See, Lenora? Didn’t I tell you he was just blowing smoke?

“He can even stay in the storage room and still pretend to be some big shot. If he’s a big shot, then I’m the King of the World! For heaven’s sake!”

Lenora smiled lightly and, changing into her pajamas, went to her room with Nathan.

Soon after, some suggestive sounds drifted through the walls.

They were so open about it, kissing and cuddling in front of me, completely indifferent to the fact that the divorce papers had still not been signed.

It felt like a knife slicing through my chest.

Slowly, I walked to Lily’s side, trying to cover her ears, but she swatted my hand away.

“Bad guy! Go away! Daddy says you’re here to steal Mommy from me! I don’t like you!”

She pushed me away, rejecting my touch.

It seemed she had become used to the closeness between Lenora and Nathan.

With a heavy sigh, I turned and went back to my room.

The next morning, Lenora, dressed sharply, tossed a contract at me.

“Since you came back so suddenly and there’s no vacant position in the company, you can start as a security guard.”

The words "Employment Contract" stood out, almost mocking me, stirring up old memories.

I remembered when I left, and Lenora had cried.

“Don’t worry, Darling, the company will always be yours. I’ll just help look after things and raise our child well,” she said through her tears.

Her words still echoed in my ears, but her heart had changed long ago.

I looked her in the eye.

“Do you remember what you said back then?” I asked her.

A flicker of guilt flashed across her eyes.

“I don’t remember,” she stammered.

Just then, Nathan came out and planted a kiss on Lenora’s cheek before turning to me.

“I spent all night thinking about this position. It wasn’t easy to come up with it.

“You didn’t turn into a spineless fool while you were abroad, did you? You’re not going to back down from this, are you?

“The security guard position is the first line of defense in our company…”

His endless chatter annoyed me. I glared at him.

Nathan faltered for a moment, sweat beading on his forehead.

Realizing the situation, his face twisted with rage.

“You useless piece of trash, you dare glare at me? Do you want me to make sure you can’t even work as a security guard, that you end up begging on the streets?”

“I’d like to see that,” I replied nonchalantly.

“Let’s see who ends up begging first, and who gets beaten to death.”

“That’s enough, Duncan! How can you speak to Nathan like that? He’s your superior, your… benefactor…”

She struggled to say the word under my intense gaze, her voice faltering.

Lenora, unwilling to back down, retorted, “What are you pretending for? Do you really think you’re the big shot Duncan?”

“I’m indeed that same Duncan,” I replied coldly.

I had hoped to quietly endure the days, but they came at me with one provocation after another.

I couldn’t take it anymore.

I stated my identity plainly.

Nathan laughed so hard he nearly fell over.

“Give you a little power and you think you can run the show? You claim to be the famous Duncan? You’re really nothing but my loyal guard dog!”

I stood up, grabbed his throat, and slammed him against the wall.

I was about to put more force into it when Lily suddenly burst into loud, uncontrollable sobs.

“You bad man! Go away! Don’t bully Daddy, I’m going to kill you!”

“He’s not your father, I am!”

In my rage, I snapped back at her harshly.

But Lenora seemed to have found my weakness.

She picked up Lily and dangled her outside the window.

“Let go of Nathan. If you lay a finger on him, do you think I won’t throw your daughter down there?”