Sunset of Broken Bonds

He grinned smugly. "Now I own exactly the same number of shares as you.

"As long as more than half the shareholders support me today, I'll become the new CEO of Setford Group.

"Oh, I've already decided the first thing I'll do after taking office. I hate the name Setford. How about changing it to Nolan Group instead?"

Seeing his arrogant face, I was once again shocked by Julie's ruthlessness.

On her 18th birthday, I had given her half of my shares.

It was my gift to her. It carried all my love for her and all the hopes I had for her future.

Yet today, all of that had become the weapon she used against me.

When Julie met my shocked and furious gaze, guilt flashed across her face.

For a brief moment, she looked like she wanted to say something. But when she looked at Timothy sitting beside her, the guilt disappeared instantly.

She opened her purse and took out a check.

"Uncle Liam, I'll buy your shares for twice the market price. Don't be greedy.

"This money is more than enough for you to live comfortably for the rest of your life."

I was so angry that I laughed.

She had handed the company I spent my whole life building to the man who destroyed her mother's life, and now she was telling me to be grateful.

How ridiculous.

"A former bar escort who never even finished elementary school wants to be CEO of Setford Group? Does he honestly think he's qualified?"

Timothy's face instantly turned red. A vicious look flashed through his eyes.

He turned toward the security guards. "Can't you tell he's here to cause trouble? Throw him out! Or do none of you want your jobs anymore?"

The guards exchanged helpless looks. Finally, one of them stepped forward.

"Mr. Setford, please leave on your own. We really don't want to force you."

Another guard sighed. "Yeah, Mr. Setford. This is a conflict between upper management. Please don't drag us into it. We rely on this paycheck to feed our families."

Hearing their pleas, I clenched my fists so hard my knuckles turned white. I was furious.

But Timothy only became more arrogant.

"Mr. Setford, if you refuse to leave, these guards will be fired for neglecting their duties. And I guarantee they won't find another job anywhere in Jesselton."

That was the last straw. I lunged forward and grabbed Timothy by the collar.

But before I could do anything else, the two huge bodyguards behind him rushed over. One kick sent me flying backward. I crashed onto the ground.

Timothy shouted angrily. "Beat him! If we don't teach him a lesson today, he'll still think I'm the same Timothy from 15 years ago. The same man he could bully whenever he wanted!"

The two bodyguards immediately surrounded me. Their fists and kicks rained down on me without mercy.

I was beaten until I collapsed on the ground in front of all the employees in the company.

I couldn't even crawl back to my feet.

Meanwhile, Julie stood behind Timothy the entire time, watching everything unfold with indifferent eyes.

Julie brought me back to the CEO's office.

She took out the first-aid kit and gently dabbed medicine onto the cuts on my face.

At the same time, she said softly, "You're not young anymore, so why are you still this stubborn? Wouldn't it be better to take the money and retire peacefully?

"Uncle Liam, don't you understand yet? The one who isn't loved is the extra person. So what if you and Mom were legally married? She never loved you."