Freedom Met with Betrayal

Just then, I heard footsteps behind me.

When I turned around, I saw Seren and Arden walking over, surrounded by a group of people.

The security guard immediately rushed forward with a flattering smile. “Mr. Thorn, Mrs. Thorn, this idiot here is saying the Vale Group belongs to him!”

Mr. Thorn, Mrs. Thorn?

So Seren and Arden weren’t even trying to hide their relationship in public anymore.

Arden just smiled and said to the security guard, “He’s not wrong. The Vale Group used to be his. But it’s not anymore.”

“How is it not mine?” I frowned.

Arden smiled. “When you went to prison, your shares were transferred to Seren for the sake of the company’s growth. How could the company still be yours?”

Seren glanced at me lightly. “Alright, Lucian. Don’t come to the company anymore.”

I suddenly remembered the share transfer. Back then the company was at a critical moment and needed funding and since I was in prison, it wasn’t suitable for me to keep the shares. Competitors would have used it against us.

“Then why can’t I even come to the company?” I asked, trying to hold back my anger.

“You’re a convict. The company can’t hire a convict and definitely can’t let a convict be in the management.”

Seren’s voice was cold. “And you need to understand. I am the chairman now. You are not allowed to question my decisions anymore.”

So… I really had nothing left? No career left either?

I turned around and walked away without saying anything. I didn’t even know what I could say anymore.

Behind me, Seren’s voice sounded, “As long as you behave and listen, I’ll still let you live decently. At least you won’t run out of money to spend.”

They were using the wealth I built with my own hard work and now they wanted to “give” it back to me like charity? To humiliate me?

I didn't know how long I walked, but eventually I found myself standing in front of my old high school.

The smell of fried chicken in the air was exactly the same as I remembered. Heavy oil, salty, spicy — the taste of youth I never forgot.

Back then, right here, Seren, Arden and I had so many memories together.

“One fried chicken please.” I walked up to the fried chicken stall, my voice numb as I placed my order.

“Don’t make it for him.” Arden’s voice came from behind me. He let out a cold laugh. “This shop was bought by me and Seren. And we used the money you earned to buy it.”

I looked at him for a long moment and finally sighed. “Arden… nearly thirty years of friendship and this is how you treat me?”

“Lucian, do you know? When you were in prison, I slept in your bedroom every night, kissed your wife and spent your money. Your son calls me ‘Dad.’ Your parents treat me like their own. And now you’re out and you think you can take everything back?”

Arden sneered, his voice icy. “You’ve got nothing left. In four years, I’ve taken everything that used to be yours. And all you can do is stand there and watch me enjoy it.”

My breath came heavy and rough. My fists tightened instinctively, like I was right back in the days when I had to fight for my life.

“What? Not convinced? You want to hit me? Then go on!”

Arden even leaned his face toward me. “Come on, Lucian. If you’re still a man, hit me!”

I raised my hand, then slowly put it back down.

If I hit him, all he had to do was file a report and I’d be thrown back into prison. Especially now that he was rich with my money.

“What, lost your nerve?” Arden sneered, a flash of disappointment in his eyes.

And from that disappointment, I understood. He was deliberately provoking me, trying to make me strike first.