Chapter 14 - THE REAL REASON
Richard finally told Adrian the truth.
They sat across from each other in the study.
No lawyers.
No employees.
No documents between them.
Just father and son.
“Why didn't you tell me about Victor?”
Richard looked tired.
“Because I wanted you to make your own decisions.”
“I trusted him.”
“I know.”
“Why didn't you stop me?”
“I tried.”
Adrian looked down.
Richard continued.
“Every time I warned you, you accused me of controlling your life.”
Adrian had no answer.
Richard leaned back.
“Victor understood your weakness.”
“My weakness?”
“You wanted admiration.”
Adrian looked up.
“You wanted people to see you as powerful,” Richard said. “He gave you that feeling.”
Adrian swallowed.
Richard's voice softened.
“And I helped create it.”
Adrian stared at him.
“What do you mean?”
“I gave you everything.”
Richard's eyes became distant.
“I thought money could protect you from pain.”
He shook his head.
“It protected you from consequences instead.”
Silence filled the room.
Then Richard reached into a drawer.
He pulled out the original succession plan.
Adrian's name was still there.
“You were supposed to inherit everything.”
Adrian stared.
“Then why remove me?”
“Because I realized that giving you the company today would destroy it.”
Adrian's voice cracked.
“So what happens now?”
Richard looked at him.
“You decide.”
“Decide what?”
“Whether you want my money.”
Adrian frowned.
“Or whether you want to become the man capable of carrying it.”
Those words stayed with Adrian.
For the first time, he didn't want to argue.
He wanted to prove his father wrong.
But Richard wasn't finished.
“There is one final test.”
Adrian's heart tightened.
May you like
“What is it?”
Richard answered:
