Chapter 2

The laughter and chatter filling the room were like countless needles pricking my ears.

I gripped my phone so tightly my nails dug into my flesh.

Saoirse walked up to me, holding the report.

"Zenon, look, how adorable he is. He'll be our son from now on."

Jack quickly added. “But Zenon, even though he is registered under your name, he still has to call Oliver ‘Dad.’”

They still assumed, as always, that I would grant them any request.

Just like the seventh day after my mother's passing, my father brought home a stepbrother who was only half a year younger than me.

He claimed he was the son of an old friend, yet his face bore a striking resemblance to my father, almost 90% identical.

Just like after Saoirse said she wanted a child, I tried countless remedies.

Even before we got married, I told her that I had health problems and it would be difficult for me to have children and that I couldn't continue taking injections and medication.

Just because seven years ago, I made a solemn vow at my mother's bedside.

I had to help my weak father support the Lorenger Family and pave a bright future for the penniless Saoirse.

For my mother, Irene Lorenger, the Lorenger Family represented love and the Steiner Family represented gratitude.

It was her last lingering obsession, but for me, it was just a promise.

Now, seven years had passed and I found nothing left here to hold me back.

I turned around, locking the joy of the entire family behind the door and walking to the empty balcony. I dialed the lawyer my mother had appointed before her passing, Gary Coleman.

"Mr. Coleman, its' already seven years."

For a moment, no response sounded on the other end of the phone and then a sigh followed.

"Mr. Lorenger, everything is ready. With just one word from you, all the funds injected into the Lorenger Group and the Steiner Group will start to withdraw within 24 hours. It is estimated that it will be withdrawn in six days."

"Let's get started."

As soon as I hung up the phone, I felt as if the rope that had tied me down for seven years had finally loosened.

Saoirse came over at some point and looked at me with a frown, asking, "Who are you secretly talking to on the phone?"

"Zenon, I warn you, don't use the family money for reckless investments outside."

"Raising a child will cost a lot in the future, so save your money for me."

She lectured me as a matter of course, completely forgetting she earned her money with my help.

I ignored her and walked straight to the dining room.

The long dining table was laden with dishes, all of which were my brother's favorite.

She carefully removed the fish bones for Oliver, not even noticing I hadn't touched my spoon and fork.

Jack's face was red from drinking and he said, "Zenon, transfer the shares of Lorenger Group under your name to the child in your wife's womb. Consider it a welcome gift from you, the uncle, to the nephew."

I raised my head and looked at his calculating face.

I nodded in response. "Alright."

My decisiveness left them all stunned for a moment.

Saoirse was the first to react, with a satisfied smile on her face. "See, Zenon was the most understanding."

She immediately made the decision. "Transfer the shares in my company under your name as well. For our child, you shouldn't mind, right?"

Oliver leaned in her arm and pulled her sleeves pretending to be worried. "Saoirse, don't do this, Zenon will be unhappy."

Jack smiled disdainfully.

"How come? You're very happy, aren't you, Zenon? Come on, raise a glass for Oliver and say a few words of blessings."

Saoirse picked up a glass of red wine and handed it to me.

"I can't drink," I said.

Her face instantly darkened.

"Can't drink? Why didn't you say you couldn't drink at the drinking table to handle a project in the south until you had stomach bleeding?"