Chapter 6

Linda glanced at the caller ID and pursed her lips. After a moment of contemplation, she decided to answer the call. Her fingers swiped across the screen, and she raised the phone to her ear. Before she could say anything, Tom's voice roared through the receiver as he unleashed a barrage of accusations. Tom, always one to bully the weak and exploit the vulnerable, had always found Linda easy to intimidate. He yelled, "Linda, do you have any idea how much your divorce from William has impacted Felix Group's stock market? "And how did 47 percent of Felix Group's shares suddenly end up under your name? When did you and Chloe acquire those properties? I haven't seen your father's will! "Linda, after your parents died, I protected you wholeheartedly. Is this how you repay me? You got a divorce from William without a word, leaving me with this mess at Felix Group!" For 20 years, Tom had quietly bided his time, waiting to take control of Felix Group. He believed that after John's death, Linda and Chloe would be unable to handle the company, and everything would fall into his grasp. He never anticipated that John had a backup plan. Now, all Tom's efforts had turned into a cruel joke. He hadn't gained anything and was still left in the dirt. Once trampled underfoot, Tom remained the same. That feeling would have been unbearable for anyone. Linda clutched her phone tightly as she felt a chill settle in her heart. While John was still alive, he had always been lenient with his inept brother. He provided Tom with a house, a car, and even a cushy job at the company with annual dividends. Yet now, this was the outcome. It was almost laughable. Linda took a deep breath, and the cold air made her shiver. She replied coldly, "Tom, don't you find your accusations a bit ridiculous? You've always played the fool to gain my father's trust and support. "Because of him, you got to live comfortably while he was still alive. What more do you want? Without my father, do you think you'd have any standing in Osmo or be respected as Mr. Felix?" Before Tom could respond, Linda pressed on, "You've enjoyed the life my father provided, but what have you done in return? "You acted innocent while secretly buying shares from individual investors, just waiting for the day you could push my father out. "Uncle Tom, you really thought you had a clever plan, didn't you? And so what if I own properties? They're the security my father left me. What does that have to do with you? "Of course, you wouldn't have seen the will. While my father was dying, you were busy acquiring shares. You didn't know he left me and Chloe such security. "So, Tom, don't you find your accusations laughable? Where do you get the nerve from?" It was the first time Tom had been berated by someone younger, and he was livid. "I bet you and Samson used some shady tactics to get what was rightfully mine!" Linda couldn't help but laugh. "Yours?" She laughed so hard she nearly doubled over. "What great imagination. Do you really think that's yours? Uncle Tom, your audacity is astounding." Her parents had built their empire with their blood, sweat, and tears. It was absurd to think Tom could simply claim it with a few clever words. How could he not see how ridiculous and entitled he sounded? Before Linda could respond, she heard words that felt like a knife to the heart. Standing in the snowstorm, snowflakes melted into her clothes, chilling her to the core. "Linda, I've always thought you were pathetic. William discarded you, and the Wilson family cast you out. What are you clinging to? Who gave you the audacity to talk to me like that? "You were married to William for four years, and what did you get? Nothing but indescribable resentment and a shattered heart. "You let him sleep with you for four years. So, what else do you have now? Now, you're fighting your uncle for things you can't even keep. Isn't that ridiculous?" Linda laughed bitterly. Tom wasn't wrong. Her four-year marriage to William had been a one-sided struggle, a painful solo effort. It was indeed a broken relationship. Linda's eyes welled up with tears, and she bit her lower lip hard. But just as she was about to speak, her phone was snatched from her hand. She turned to see a pair of dark, piercing eyes. The call ended in the next second. Dumbfounded, Linda stared as William handed the phone back to her with a frown. "Can't you defend yourself?" Linda's bitter laughter was barely audible. "Everything he said is true. What can I say?" Her voice was so soft it seemed like the wind could carry her away. William's eyes, usually cold, revealed a hint of complexity. Yet, he remained silent and turned toward the waiting Maybach. Linda knew that after tonight, their paths would diverge completely. They would never cross paths again. Gathering her courage, she called out to him one last time. "William, do you remember what day it is?" It was their wedding anniversary, a date she alone remembered. William paused as he opened the car door. Flashes of memories flitted through his mind, but he couldn't recall a single thing. "What?" "Our wedding anniversary," Linda said. William's mind flashed through several scenes, but he still couldn't remember. Seeing his reaction, Linda knew the answer. He didn't remember and never knew. Linda took a few steps forward and grasped his coat. "We've been married for three years. This year makes it four. I spent the first three years alone." Her voice choked with emotion, and she bit her lip. "Let's spend this last anniversary together. For the sake of the marriage we had." William found it amusing. "Linda, talking about an anniversary after a divorce is a bit ridiculous." Linda nodded. "It does sound ridiculous." Snowflakes settled on her long lashes, making her eyes even brighter. Her voice was full of pleading. "But we never had a honeymoon or celebrated any special occasions. Please fulfill this one wish for me. Just let this be a false ending to this incomplete dream."