The sound of polished leather shoes squeaked against the clean hospital floors. It was silent, as the night had fallen and the corridors was deserted as only quite a few people could afford to stay in the VIP ward of this hospital.
It seemed that he had found a backer with capabilities this time.
Nurses lowered their heads unconsciously when he walked by,as if they were intimidated by him. He had however long grown indifferent to it and somehow obtained some satisfaction knowing that he had control over them.
His personal assistant, who walked ahead af him, stopped at one door in particular. Dalton did not know what emotion it was he was searching for, but he was too tired to be angry at this point. That boy, he never listened. He was too stubborn. Look what good it did him in the end.
He was a disappointment.
To think he was actually going to pull this stunt again made Dalton Gu feel inexplicably irritated. He had done it for attention the first time, what did he want now? The fleeting sympathy of random people? How pathetic and irresponsible of him.
"Move out of my way." He said coldly.
His assistant lowered his head and moved quickly. Dalton stepped forward, and without even knocking, opened the door and stepped into the room.
His eyes went to the bed that was facing the door directly. It was messy, but he was not on it. He looked around the spacious room then noticed him on the desk,with one foot on the chair and the other swinging slowly. He was looking out the window, apparently lost in thought and did not pay any attention to whoever could have opened the door.
Dalton Gu's expression grew stern.
"Christopher." He called out.
He tensed in his seat, maybe realising who exactly it was that came to see him.
"So is this the pathetic life you want to continue living?"
He did not move, but his hand on the table formed a fist.
He laughed out coldly then turned to face him.
"It feels strange hearing that name again after so long. I never thought I would hear anyone say it again. But i am curious. To what do i owe the displeasure of having you in my face? I would have to apologize for the long trip, but I don't want to see you."
Dalton ignored him completely and walked towards him.
"Really? But I thought there was quite a lot for us to catch up on, as father and son."
His son shot him a withering glare. This only made Dalton smile.
"What are you being so stubborn and proud for? It will get you nowhere, there is nothing left for you here anyway.What are you still clinging to? You were never supposed to be here in the first place. your place is in the Gu family as it's successor."
This caused Christopher to laugh out loud once more.
"That's extremely funny coming from you. What happened to Eugene, and the other children you sired?"
Dalton Gu pinched the bridge of his nose.
"It seems that you have not changed at all. Those children can never succeed me. You are the one with real potential. I can forgive you wasting all those years, but you must come home and accept your duty."
"Would your wife be happy to hear that Eugene won't succeed you?" He asked sarcastically.
"I will deal with that. You don't need to worry about it at all. We can come to an agreement if you want."
"I want nothing from you."
Dalton laughed.
Are you sure? I just got an invitation to the memorial service of that girl you used to follow around. What was her name again? Was it Leah? The poor thing."
Christopher's gaze hardened.
"Are you really okay with Aiden Ji supressing you like this? Are you sure you want him to get away with his actions against you? What would that girl say if she saw you like your pathetic self?"
"That is nothing for you to bother yourself with."
"Don't be stubborn, young man. You think I pushed you hard? It was for your own good. You however, should not push me. You won't like my retaliation."
Christopher grinned broadly, but the cold glint in his eyes betrayed his emotions.
"So you are resorting to threats now? I wonder what Dalton Gu can do to me? I have nothing left. Would he be cruel enough to try to beat a dead horse down?"
"You are not a dead horse, and there is always something to lose. If not for anything, are you really okay with someone inheriting your mother's assets?"
Christopher facepalmed angrily. There was clearly a reason for him to come like this, but he did not want to say what it was.
"Can you please tell me exactly what is going on?"
Dalton remained silent.
" If you are not going to say anything, can you please leave now? My day was horrible enough as it is."
Dalton sighed. This brat was still able to read that he had other intentions. He hated this, but he had to make his son listen to him.
" Eugene is not fit to lead the Gu family. The board members have a bad impression of him, and our progress this year was dramatically bad. The company might be passed on to a stranger after I retire."
Christopher remained silent and stared at him with a deadpan expression.
"And I should care because?"
Dalton got closer, then slapped his hand on the desk loudly. This caused Christopher to flinch.
"You idiot! What do you mean you do not care? Everything your grandfather and I worked for will be handed to someone else on a silver platter!"
" How do you know I am any better? I am a disgraced actor accused of being an addict. I couldn't even manage my own money and lost it all because of many high-profile lawsuits. Is this some kind of joke?"
"That can be taken care of. All that would be worthless with time when you prove yourself. That issue, as long as you come back, everything can be taken back hundredfold. I have let you do what you want for far too long, you must come back. This is no longer up for discussion. I am no longer phrasing it as a request. You are too old to be throwing tantrums like this. I am not leaving until you agree. Don't you want a chance to recover? Do you want everything that girl did for you to be in vain?"
He remained silent for some time, then spoke in a low voice.
"I will think about it." Christopher said curtly.
This caused Dalton to smile.
"Alright. Tomorrow John will be here to get you. You will be sent to an apartment prepared for you. Also, no more stunts like today, you must learn to cherish your life. Many people wished they had what you have."
Christopher did not reply. He turned away from Dalton. It had not even been a day, but with his clarity returning, he was grateful for that girl coming when she did. He felt a little sheepish now. The last thing he wanted was for someone to rub salt in his wound.
His pride wanted him to refuse, but his rationality won in the end. There were still quite a few things he had to do.
"I agree, but i have a request to make."