Chapter 10
The Cole Group wasn’t strictly a family business. It had started as a joint venture between several families, later secured additional financing, and Mr. Cole, being particularly skilled, had acquired the most shares to become CEO. But that didn’t mean the original founders didn’t want power.
Mrs. Cole sold her shares–a considerable amount–to one of these founders at an extremely attractive price, but not to the most capable one, on the contrary, to the least capable. This meant that this enormous corporation was now headed for decline.
Mr. Cole was so angry that he suffered a heart attack and was admitted to the ICU, still in a
coma.
When Thane found Mrs. Cole and me, we were discussing vacation plans, though we hadn’t decided on a destination yet.
“Mom, why would you do this to me?”
Faced with Thane’s questioning, Mrs. Cole just smiled and said: “Once upon a time, I saw you as my only hope in this life. That’s why I refused to compromise, refused to divorce your father–all so you could smoothly inherit the company. Later, seeing you rise to power, seeing your harmonious marriage, I was genuinely happy for you. But I never imagined you’d truly follow in your father’s footsteps, falling for a scholarship student you sponsored, betraying your wife. Not only that, I thought you’d at least stand by my side, but I never imagined that the son I birthed with such difficulty couldn’t empathize with me. If that’s the case, you and I are just strangers connected by blood. You and your father are the real family. So why should I continue to protect the company for you?”
After she finished, Mrs. Cole called security and had him thrown out.
Once he left, Mrs. Cole and I resumed our discussion.
“I had already filed for divorce from that old bastard, making sure to get the certificate two days before the shareholders‘ meeting. The contract was signed the day before the meeting, so there were no issues with asset division. This fortune is enough for me to enjoy the rest of my life. As for that old bastard, I heard from the doctor that his body was already weakened from years of excess. Add a sudden stroke to that… I ‘accidentally‘ delayed a bit
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when taking him to the hospital. The doctor said we arrived a little late. Even if he survives, he’ll be bedridden for life. Not bad, huh?”
Then she smiled and pinched Emma’s cheek.
“From now on, it’s just us. We’ll be a happy, carefree family.”
A year later, in the heat of summer, Mrs. Cole and I took the children on vacation abroad.
Occasionally, we heard news from back home.
Thane never married Lily. Their relationship deteriorated, with frequent arguments. Thane wanted to break up, but Lily refused, threatening suicide.
That knife that had once been held against Thane’s throat, then against mine, now found
itself at another girl’s throat. But Thane wouldn’t compromise. They struggled over the
knife handle, pulling back and forth. In the end, the blade plunged into Thane’s chest,
killing him instantly.
Lily went to prison.
When Mr. Cole learned of this, he became so agitated that he also passed away.
After that, the once–mighty Cole Group, with inadequate leadership, saw project after project fail. From an industry leader, it gradually declined until finally declared bankruptcy
and ceased to exist.
As for me-
Sophie Sutton, seen as a wealthy woman by outsiders, raising my two children alone, occasionally dating. Life became truly carefree.
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