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"What do you mean?"
Robert frowned.
"Everyone gets it except you?"
I couldn't help but laugh.
The hotel manager chimed in, "That Jacob's just a butler. How dare he talk to Mr. Liam like that?"
The waiters nodded in agreement.
"Ms. Sophia always protects him. You'd think he was her boyfriend."
"Three years, then another three? They're toying with him."
"Every other word from Ms. Sophia is 'Jacob means well.' So Mr. Liam doesn't?"
Hearing this, Robert looked surprised at first, then annoyed.
"Liam Murphy!"
"I'm your future father-in-law. Are you just going to let these people criticize me?"
"Besides, it's such a small thing. Is breaking up necessary? So petty. You show our family no respect."
The aoole didn't fall far from the tree. Their attitudes were identical.
"Did you show me any respect?"
I shot back.
"What more respect do you need? Marrying my granddaughter isn't enough? If you loved her enough, three years—heck, ten years—should be nothing."
Robert snorted. "I'll set up a press conference. You admit you were wrong, and say you had too much to drink."
"Remember, just because people call you 'young master' doesn't mean you're actually royalty. Know your place!"
Over these three years, as the Greene family grew, Robert's attitude toward me had changed.
They really thought they'd made it on their own.
"Show him out!"
I slammed my glass down and uttered those three words.
Though Robert glared, fuming, and made threats, I ignored him.
Let the security drag him away.
I planned to stay at the hotel but got a text from Sophia.
[I'm sorry, I was wrong.]
[Can we talk at home? Please?]
She actually apologized.
It felt surreal. Clinging to a sliver of hope, I headed home. As soon as I entered, I heard Sophia's tipsy voice from the bedroom.
"Jacob, stop."
My heart sank. I crept to the bedroom door and peeked through the crack.
Jacob was holding Sophia tightly.
"Ms. Sophia."
"You like my physique, right? Said I put Liam to shame. Go on, touch it!"
Jacob guided Sophia's hand to his abs, then added, "You promised to grant me one wish."
"I want you. Just once."
Then he eagerly kissed her lips.
Sophia resisted half-heartedly.
Soon, she gave in completely.
A sharp, physical pain lanced through my chest. My whole body began to tremble. I raised my phone, recording the scene for a few long,and then turnng away silently.
Outside, cold rain hit my face.
I took a few hard drags of my cigarette and called my father. "Dad, I've thought it through. Sophia isn't worth it."
Maybe Dad heard the tremor in my voice, guessed what happened, and cut straight to it: "What do you want to do?"
"Since I built the Greene family from the ground up…"
A cold glint flashed in my eyes. "I'll tear it down myself."
