"Why? Heh..." the man scoffed before continuing, "That's because she ran away from home the first chance she got after graduating college. She left everything behind... and has refused to return since."
Mia gritted her teeth and took another step towards the old man before yelling angrily, "And that's because I couldn't stand to live in a house with a sick bastard like you, always ordering me around as if I'm a puppet and making my life a living hell! Even when I tried to be obedient and do what you wanted, it was never enough!"
"No matter how hard I worked... Nothing was ever good enough for you, was it? Just because I wasn't a son?!" She roared as she raised her right fist into the air as if she was about to punch him right in the face.
However, Mia stopped herself before she could throw her punch. She stood there breathing heavily, glaring daggers at the old man sitting before her.
"Whatever, you're just an old fool who will never change. I don't care about what you have to say or do anymore. We're just done here," Mia spoke coldly as she lowered her arm back to her side. "I came here only for one reason... and that was to say goodbye one last time... Father."
Before she could turn around to leave, the old man raised his arm and reached out for her wrist, stopping her movements. His grip was surprisingly strong for someone with a weak body, and despite feeling dizzy from the sudden action, he kept his eyes locked on Mia's.
"Hold on!" he ordered her before continuing, "You want nothing to do with me? Fine by me... But what about your son, Oliver, here? You don't care about his future and want him to live a good life?"
"What kind of nonsense are you babbling about? My son's future is something only he can decide on. It has nothing to do with you."
"Of course it does! The boy will inherit my empire after all. With that much money and power, he will be able to get anything and everything he ever desires!" He replied with a chuckle before smirking at Mia. "Don't you want that for him?"
Upon hearing this, Oliver's eyebrows raised up a notch. He was taken aback by his grandfather's words because he'd never thought about money and power that much. He had his own hobbies and interests he enjoyed doing more than focusing on gaining money or status in life.
Besides, he felt uncomfortable getting something from someone that his mother hated, even if it was his grandfather.
However, Mia felt differently.
Her expression changed into a serious one as she turned to look at her son.
She knew what kind of wealth her father had and how hard he worked to build his empire from the ground up. Despite hating him, she understood how important everything he had created was to him.
That was the reason why he always pushed her so hard growing up. To become worthy of carrying on his legacy. Even if that meant he needed to break her first before mending her back together in the perfect mold of a 'leader' who would later become capable enough to manage it.
However, Mia refused to do that. She had run away from him after she had had enough of him trying to control every aspect of her life.
Now, after so many years had passed, her father wanted to put his legacy into her son's hands.
"Why would you give it all away now?" she asked him after thinking it over for a moment. "Or do you plan to make my son go through the same training you gave me so he becomes a worthy heir? Because if that's the case, then you're out of your fucking mind!"
"Hahaha... Don't get your panties in a twist! You can teach him yourself, daughter of mine. After all, I taught you well. Even if you hate me for it. As long as he listens to your advice and grows under your guidance, I'm sure Oliver will become someone who surpasses my legacy in the future."
Mia stared at her father intently, unsure if he meant it or if it was a trick to mess with her again. But one look at Oliver showed he wasn't joking around. He seemed serious about this.
Seeing her expression soften slightly, her father spoke again, "Look, I'm not senile yet. Even if I haven't been in good shape recently, I do know where I am heading. That's why I'm preparing everything and putting all my plans in order. To ensure my empire and business stay strong when I pass."
Mia closed her eyes and bit down on her lower lip as she once again realized the reality of her father's condition. He didn't mention anything about his illness or how long he had left, but it was obvious to her that he was nearing the end.
A tear rolled down Mia's face, and she wiped it away with her hand as quickly as possible before turning around to face away from everyone else present. She didn't want anyone else to see how weak she was in this moment. Especially not in front of her father.
Even though she had come here wanting to tell him to go to hell, Mia, having lived a life with Adam, who understood the value of family, felt the pain of having an unrepairable rift between her and her father.
She couldn't stand by while watching him struggle against death like she did in the past when her mother was suffering. It pained her more than she would admit.
Seeing this, the old man's expression softened a bit as he continued, "Stop your whining. I don't want to waste my time dealing with emotions, girl. Act like the tough and strong daughter I trained you to be. And just focus on the damn business and your son. That's all."
"You bastard," she muttered under her breath while wiping another tear that was falling down from her left eye. She took a deep breath, composing herself as she turned to face him. "...I'm only doing this for my son. Nothing more, nothing less. However, what about Anna? I doubt she will just sit around while you do this."
The old man scoffed as soon as Mia mentioned his other daughter. "Her? Don't worry about her. She had her chance to take everything but failed at it. Now she has to live with that mistake."