Chapter 98: The burden of guilt.

Words : 1124 Updated : Sep 17th, 2025

Chapter 98: The burden of guilt. Denis spun around, eyes blazing. "You want me to ask him for help? That loser? Are you serious?" "He has connections with the Sphere Group," Gabriel said flatly. "You don’t have to like him. But if he can get us a foot in the door with Sphere, it’s worth swallowing your pride. We need that deal. Once we secure the partnership—" "I’m not begging him for anything," Denis snarled, cutting him off. "I’ll figure out myself how to get the appointment. Don’t push me on this." He stormed out, the door rattling behind him with a violent slam. "Denis, you idiot." Gabriel’s facial muscles trembled in rage. His fist came down hard on the table. "I am not going to let you ruin everything." Denis burst into his office, eyes burning with anger as his father’s voice kept replaying in his head like an annoying echo. "He wants me to ask Augustine for help? Has he lost it?" he growled under his breath, pacing the room. "I’m Denis Beaumont—I don’t beg anyone." He yanked his phone out of his pocket and stabbed at the screen, calling Haris. "Track down Mr. Benett," he barked the moment the call connected. "I want to know his full schedule—when he is coming back, where he is now, every damn thing. Understood?" "On it," came Haris’s quick reply. Denis hung up without another word, his expression stone-cold, fists tightening at his sides. "I’ll make this deal happen myself," he muttered. "Even if it means flying across the world to chase him down. I don’t need Augustine. I never will." ~~~~~~~~ At Augustine’s office... Anne had left, but she was far from gone in Augustine’s thoughts. Her scent still lingered in the air, and her smile kept replaying in his mind like. A faint grin tugged at his lips as he touched his face where she had kissed him before leaving. Then his phone buzzed on the table, drawing him out of his reverie. The screen lit up with a name that made his expression tighten—Grandpa. His back straightened instinctively. After a moment of hesitation, he finally answered. "Hello?" "Augustine, can you come over?" Dimitri’s tone was unusually gentle. "Last time, you left without dinner. Come by—we need to talk." Augustine paused. He wouldn’t go alone this time. He would take Anne with him. "Not tonight, Grandpa. I’ll come on the weekend," he replied coolly. A sigh came through the line, heavy and loaded with unspoken expectations. Then, Dimitri’s voice returned, a little firmer. "Alright... but think about what I said. Give Megan a chance. She is everything a man could want—smart, graceful. You might like her." "Grandpa," Augustine cut in sharply. "I don’t want to go in circles. I told you: I’m married. That’s not going to change. I just want your blessing." There was a beat of silence before Dimitri’s voice exploded through the line. "Have you lost your mind? Everything I’m doing is to help you—how can you not see that?" "Help me?" Augustine scoffed. "Where were you when I actually needed you the most? When I was scraping by overseas—homeless, starving, sleeping on park benches. You turned your back on me." His voice trembled with a raw edge, his jaw tightening as old wounds reopened. "I called you... But you ignored me. Your elder son picked up and told me never to call again." His breathing became heavy with rage and betrayal. He never imagined that his own family would cast him aside so coldly as if he had never truly been one of them. "Where were you at the time?" Augustine asked, fighting to keep his emotions in check. He drew in a deep breath as he pulled himself back from the edge of old pain. "The man I used to be—timid, obedient—might have still believed in your kind facade. He might have welcomed your so-called help. His tone turned sharper. "But that version of me is gone. I don’t need anyone’s help now. I’ve built myself back up, alone—and I’ll keep doing it. On my own terms." Without waiting for his response, he ended the call and tossed the phone onto the table. "Unbelievable," he muttered under his breath. The heat of the conversation still clung to him, fists clenching and unclenching at his sides. His chest rose and fell in short, quick breaths as he tried to steady himself, but the anger was still simmering inside. "He still thinks I’ll fall in line like before. After everything he let me go through..." On the other end, Dimitri stared blankly at the phone screen, his weathered hands trembling slightly. His grey eyes glistened with unshed tears. "I’m sorry... I didn’t know," he whispered with regret. "I thought keeping my distance would protect you. I didn’t realize it would leave you to suffer so much." His shoulders sagged under the burden of guilt, the years of silence suddenly feeling like a lifetime of failure. He wiped a tear from the corner of his eye. "I failed once," he muttered, straightening his spine. A new resolve flickered in his eyes. "But not again. You can’t fight Gabrial alone. You need a strong backing. The Granet family is the only chance." His voice dropped to a murmur. "Even if you hate me for it... I’ll do what needs to be done." Knock-Knock... The door creaked open with a soft knock, and Gabriel stepped inside with a calculated smile. "I hope I’m not disturbing your rest," he said, walking toward the old man lounging in his recliner. Dimitri didn’t even look up at first. "What brings you here tonight?" His voice was flat, distant. Gabriel chuckled, pretending to be lighthearted as he took the chair beside him. "Can’t a son visit his father without purpose? It’s been a while since you returned. I thought we could share a dinner together." But Dimitri’s gaze sharpened, unamused. He had known Gabriel too long to fall for pleasantries. "Let’s not waste time. What do you really want?" Gabriel paused, then leaned back slightly with a calm, practiced smile. "Nothing, really. Just thought... the kids are grown now. Augustine is back. Maybe it’s time for a proper family gathering. Last time, the dinner was canceled. Why not try again this weekend? Invite Augustine. The rest of us will come too." Dimitri studied him for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then he nodded slowly. "Augustine already said he’d come this weekend." A spark of victory flickered in Gabriel’s eyes—until Dimitri added, with finality in his voice, "That evening, I’ll also be announcing my will." The smile froze on Gabriel’s face. "I’ve decided to transfer not only his father’s share but also mine to Augustine," Dimitri said calmly.

Chapter 98: The burden of guilt.

Comments (0)