Chapter 2

The Hayes family's old mansion.

Daisy ran through the door and immediately threw herself into Caleb’s arms, dotingly clinging to him.

“Uncle Caleb, I missed you so much!”

“Uncle Caleb, you look so handsome today!”

“Uncle Caleb’s smile is the best!”

Daisy, usually a little terror who loved to throw tantrums at home, spoke as sweet as honey around Caleb.

I stood by calmly, my peripheral vision catching Seraphina also watching Caleb, her eyes full of doting affection.

As if sensing my gaze, Seraphina subtly averted her eyes. Just as she was about to speak, Caleb, holding Daisy’s hand, walked over.

They were wearing matching outfits, one for an adult, one for a child.

“Seraphina, look at the matching outfits I bought for Daisy. Aren't they cute?”

With that, he pulled Daisy's hand and made a silly face in front of Seraphina.

Seraphina paused, then, mindful of my presence, managed a restrained smile and a slight nod.

“Daisy never wears pink. Only you could convince her.”

A flicker of triumph crossed Caleb’s face as he looked at me. “Brother, Daisy loves me so much. You’re not jealous, are you?”

Looking at that innocent face, memories of my past life flashed like a rapid-fire movie in my mind.

My nails dug into my palms, the pain a sharp reminder to stay calm.

...

“Asher.”

My father, David Hayes’ voice, reached my ears.

“Today I made all your favorite dishes. Come on, try some.”

I came back to myself and turned to see the home-cooked meals on the dining table. All of them were light and prepared according to my preferences.

In my previous life, I had a sensitive stomach and couldn’t eat spicy food, but Caleb loved it, so the family dinner table was always a fiery red.

There was only one exception.

Today.

For the first time ever, David Hayes had personally cooked a table full of my favorite dishes.

Just as I thought I was finally receiving a little affection from my family, I heard the most cruel words.

“Asher, your mother and I have discussed it. From now on, you don't need to worry about the company. Just take care of the family at home. We'll leave everything to Caleb.”

The scrutinizing gazes from everyone at the table made me feel like a thief, stealing something that belonged to Caleb.

No one remembered that before the company went public, I had ended up in the ICU multiple times from exhaustion, while Caleb was leisurely vacationing abroad.

No one remembered that when Mrs. Hayes was diagnosed with liver cancer and needed a transplant, I was the one who, still recovering from a serious illness myself, bravely went under the knife to save her.

At the dinner table, Daisy's little face turned red with urgency. “Uncle Caleb wants it, so just give it to him! Why are you being so stingy?!”

Seraphina's voice was gentle and melodious. “Asher, even if you don't work, I can support you and Daisy.”

Mrs. Hayes waved her hand. “I'm still the matriarch of this family. This decision is final!”

David Hayes' eyes were teary, his gaze earnest. “Asher, as the older brother, you should make concessions for your younger brother…”

On this very day in my past life, I had exploded on the spot, severing ties with everyone.

I had declared that unless I died, I would never hand over the company to Caleb.

Now, my gaze swept over everyone at the table—Mother, Father, wife, daughter... and my so-called brother. I smiled faintly and made my announcement first:

“Mom, Dad, I actually have something to announce.

“Starting tomorrow, I'd like to hand over the company to Caleb. I'm officially returning to family life.”

This decision instantly transformed the somewhat tense atmosphere into one of warm excitement.

Mrs. and David Hayes beamed at me with smiles I’d never seen before.

They eagerly piled food onto my plate, urging me to eat more.

“Asher, we’re so relieved you're being so filial and sensible. However, Caleb is still too naive…”

Amidst Daisy's boisterous cheers of “Long live Uncle Caleb!”, I looked at the mountain of food on my plate, devoid of any appetite.

I glanced up at Seraphina. Sure enough, her eyes were full of doting affection as she looked at Caleb.

No one knew when I left.

After the family dinner, I never went to the company again.

Ten days later, I was running on the treadmill in the gym when my phone buzzed.

I clicked it open to see Caleb had tagged me in a post on Ins.

He’d posted a selfie of himself sitting in the CEO's office.

In the photo, he was dressed sharply, mimicking my professional elite pose.

The caption read: "Leading Hayes Industries into a new era."

In less than a minute, my entire family chimed in to support him.

Mrs. Hayes: [Good son, work hard! The future of Hayes Industries rests on you!]

David Hayes: [Our Caleb has grown into such a man…]

Daisy Hayes: [Uncle Caleb is the best!]

Seraphina had only two short words: [You got this.]

Looking at these warm, encouraging words that no one had ever said to me, my eyes stung with a burning ache. The fatigue from my workout suddenly enveloped me.

I turned off the treadmill. Just as I was about to shower, Caleb sent another message.

“Brother, the whole family is celebrating my success at Cloud Nine tonight. You absolutely have to come!”

“I have a surprise for you!”

Caleb’s last message was a photo.

In the picture, Seraphina’s clothes were half-undone, a bare shoulder peeking out. The meaning of the photo was undeniable.

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