Chapter 23: You’re Such a Fake!
John didn’t return to his office alone. Three employees trailed behind him, looking like wilted flowers. They were senior managers, usually quite imposing with their subordinates, but now they resembled mice before a cat – not exactly trembling, but definitely terrified. Their eyes darted nervously, sweat beading on their foreheads.
John entered to find Andy fiddling with a tea set, and barely glanced at him. He didn’t notice Lily; ‘Andy hadn’t alerted him. Lily was deliberately hidden behind the screen, planning a little surprise
scare.
Andy’s explanation for the tea set was that his father never drank packaged drinks with straws, so he was transferring it to a cup.
Lily raised an eyebrow. When did John develop this habit? Back in college, the guy would constantly steal sips of her juice, sharing straws with her – he certainly didn’t mind back then! But thinking about it, it would be jarring to see the powerful CEO sipping a sugary drink through a bright blue straw.
Hearing several footsteps, Lily ducked further, watching through the screen crack as Andy calmly continued preparing his drink. Lily facepalmed.*This ‘well–connected‘ vibe is strong*!* The three managers noticed Andy, but since John hadn’t dismissed them, they dared not speak up; they were too busy sweating themselves.
“How long have you been with J&J Corporation?”
John’s voice was cold, the question delivered flatly, creating an oppressive atmosphere.
Andy heard his father’s tone and subtly glanced toward the coffee machine.*See? This is his usual demeanor!*
“Your success is predicated on avoiding internal sabotage and following company regulations…”
Where there are people, there’s conflict, and J&J Corporation was no exception. A certain level of healthy competition was beneficial, but things went sideways when it turned malicious. These three managers not only caused a huge scandal but also created a mess that couldn’t be covered up, resulting in this “execution” before the boss.
The three pleaded their case, highlighting their years of service and contributions. They knew John’s decision would determine their fate. Leaving J&J Corporation meant unemployment at their age, and this incident would damage their reputations, making it hard to find new jobs. But John didn’t care; adults are responsible for their actions.
John wasn’t a sentimental man. Despite their fervent pleas and even kneeling, he remained impassive, calling security to remove them.
Andy wasn’t surprised. This was his father’s true nature.
his
father.
“What are you doing here?” John asked, his tone no warmer than it had been with the managers.
“This is for you,” Andy said, rising to place the cup before When he returned, the secretary had mentioned Andy was in the office, and almost added that there was another woman, but John had already strode in. Seeing the grim faces of the three vice presidents following him, she shut her mouth. Better not to attract his ire; he could see Lily when he entered. So, John was unaware of Lily’s presence.
“Did you not want me to come?” Andy’s question stopped Lily, who was about to make her
dramatic entrance.
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Chapter 23: You’re Such a Fake!
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John rubbed his temples. If it weren’t for those incompetent managers, he wouldn’t be at the office today. He would much rather be home with Lily.
“Nothing else. Leave.” He had a mountain of work, so he dismissed Andy curtly, his tone businesslike, as if Andy wasn’t his son.
“Dad, do you hate me?” Andy asked.
John’s eyes narrowed in appraisal. He was surprised not by the question itself, but by the tone. Was that… hurt? He hadn’t heard his son call him “Dad” in years. Their usual interactions were cold and antagonistic, the word “father” uttered with barely concealed disdain. This sounded more like a child craving love, asking if he was hated.
Andy knew his father’s true nature, just as John understood his son. They locked eyes, the air thickening with tension.
Then, John subtly shifted his gaze towards the screen. The office floor was white tile. The office was spotless, so seeing blurry reflections wasn’t unusual. But while indistinct, he could make out figure. He knew the layout of his office intimately; this wasn’t a coffee machine or anything similar, but a person hiding.
Andy sensed his father’s gaze and had a bad feeling. When he heard his father’s next words, he knew he was busted.
“Andy, I haven’t been a good father. I’m sorry. I know it’s too late to say anything now, but I accept
your resentment…”
“Enough,” Andy interrupted. Sentimentality didn’t suit them.
Lily, who hadn’t found the right moment to appear, saw the tension escalating and decided to
intervene.
John, I’m here!”
“Lily!”
John was surprised, then turning to Andy, his eyes brimming with emotion.“Did you bring Mom here to surprise me?”
Andy rolled his eyes.“You’re such a fake!” He was acting cute in front of his mother, adopting a childish tone. He was way too old for this act! The man’s normal speaking voice was freezing! Andy had brought Lily to show her his father’s true self. Andy had witnessed John’s transformation over the years. Everyone said his mother was his trigger point, but his father was
even worse.
Andy remembered people deliberately trying to provoke his father by insulting his mother, and his father had been furious, making those people pay dearly – not just physically, but mentally, too. From then on, Andy had noticed that anyone who messed with his mother suffered a brutal, often devastating, fate. It terrified him.
His father was outwardly refined and articulate, appearing cultured and elegant, but underneath it all, he was a raging lunatic! The kinder he was to his mother, the more erratic he was underneath. Andy feared his mother’s unintentional actions might provoke his father, causing him to lose control and act violently. His father was a madman!
He couldn’t simply tell his mother; she wouldn’t believe him. He could see how much she relied on John. But his father was no longer the man he once was. Ben years had changed him profoundly.
Andy lowered his head. There was only his mother. Only his mother,
