Chapter 18
After Harrison gave the order to leave, the child husbands all panicked.
“Mr. Vance, what are you saying? You’re kicking
“Please, Mr. Vance. We were blinded by Sloane. We’re not ungrateful, we swear!”
Their voices were desperate, pleading. But Harrison didn’t even flinch.
“I never asked any of you to repay me. From the day I took you in, I told you clearly that I didn’t want anything in return. The only thing I ever asked was that you love my daughter with everything you had. That was it. Just one thing.
“And yet, you couldn’t even do that. You acted loyal to her in public, but behind her back, you mocked her, talked down to her, and betrayed her… I have never been more disappointed in my life.”
The weight of his words hit like bricks. The foster sons all lowered their heads, too ashamed to meet his eyes.
“You’re right, Mr. Vance,” Milo choked out, his eyes bloodshot.
He had the worst temper of the group, but he was also the most straightforward. Now, faced with Harrison’s disappointment, he couldn’t bear it. In front of everyone, he raised his hand and slapped himself hard across the face.
“My own parents gave up on me, and you took me in. You gave me a home–a life. And I couldn’t even do the one thing you asked. I don’t deserve to stay in this family anymore.”
With that, he slapped himself two more times, harder than before, then bowed deeply to Harrison.
“Mr. Vance, I will never forget what you did for me. If you’re willing to let me stay, rest of my life repaying the kindness you’ve shown me.
want to remain with Vance Group. I’ll work myself to the bone and spend the
“But if you don’t want to see me again, I’ll leave right now. Just know that every company I start in the future will operate as a subsidiary of Vance Group. And half. of everything I earn will go directly to the Vance family—unconditionally and without question.”
Despite Milo’s heartfelt display, Harrison simply let out a deep, weary sigh. “You should leave. I can’t forgive anyone who has hurt my daughter.”
At that point, Milo knew there was no turning things around. He wasn’t going to be allowed to stay.
So, he rose to his feet in silence, then turned and bowed to Aurelia, swallowing every ounce of his pride.
“Aury, I know I’ve wronged you,” Milo said, his eyes reddening. true feelings, and in the end, I hurt you instead.
“I know you won’t forgive me easily. But I still need to
should’ve loved you the way you deserved. But I let Sloane cloud my judgment. I held back my
- it. I’m sorry.” He bowed to her again.
“Aury, there’s still a long road ahead. I’ll spend the rest of my life making this right. If one day you’re willing to acknowledge me again, just give me a call. I’ll Lever change my number. I’ll wait a lifetime for that one call.
“No matter what happens in the future, no matter what kind of trouble you’re in, if you come to me, I’ll help you- With that, Milo bowed deeply to her once more. Then, he stood up, turned around, and walked away alone.
-no questions asked.”
