When his father put a challenge for him and his brother, he accepted it without any hesitation. He thought it was only a game that his father thought of. He did not think of it as something as a competition of who is going to be the next.
He was actually surprised to know that he bested his brother's performance and became an heir he did has no plan on taking over. He wanted to back down and gave the title of being the heir to his older brother, but many of the elders already agreed of his being an heir and he no way out of getting out of that burden.
"W-What are you talking about?!" James angrily asked. "You're just saying that to me out of pity! I don't want your pity, Arion!" Now that James is facing his little brother like this, he realized that this is the first time that Arion has ever laid a finger on him.
Back when they were still young, no matter how angry Arion was to him, Arion never once hurt him. Arion would always walk away and cried himself to sleep in his room.
"Pity! I will never take pity on you because you are my older brother! I know that it's going to hurt your pride that's why I never look at you with pity!"
James flinched when he heard that from Arion. It's true that when people look at him with pity in their eyes it always hurts his pride. But when he lost the competition against Arion, Arion never looks at him with pity. It made him think that Arion is looking down at him and that he is not worthy to even look at with pity.
"You're saying that our parents love me more than they love you?! Well, you're full of bullsh*t! If you ask me, they love you more! Back when we were still young, I was always jealous of you because they always compare your academic achievements to me!" Arion added.
The moment Arion is finished saying his words, the people in the room were shocked to see tears coming out of Arion's eyes. This is the first time for them to see Arion crying like that.
"Oh. My. Goodness!" Leon who is watching the whole drama unfold in front of him did not even hide that he is somewhat enjoying seeing his boss crying. "I have to bury this moment to my brain. This might be the last time I'm gonna see boss crying like that."
"I can't believe that you enjoy seeing your boss like that," Aaron said in a disappointed tone. What is happening right now is already serious as it is, but Leon actually has the guts to be such an annoying person in times like these.
"Aaron, you have no idea what kind of pushy boss your father is. He makes me do work without any rest. The pay is good, but it's not really making me happy. Seeing him cry like that is might make me happy during my endlessly and tiring mission." Of course, Leon also feels bad for what is happening to his boss' family, however, sometimes, he has put what makes him happy first before others.
"Do even have any idea that whenever our father goes and talks to his friends, the thing he would mention is how great you are! Since you get sick so easily, our mother pays more attention to you because I'm such an energetic kid and I rarely get sick. So don't you dare say that our parents never love you, brother!" Arion is not the type of person who likes to share his feelings in front of so many people, but he just could not control himself when his older brother suddenly declared that their parents never appreciate him.
Just like their father, Arion cares about family more than anything else. Riches is nothing to him. If his older brother wants to have the family business, then Arion will gladly handover the family business to him as long as the family stays together and stronger than ever.
Now that Arion finally released everything that he wants to say to his brother, he left the room, and Mary followed him from behind. He could not stand being together in the same room with his brother. It's making him feel suffocating.
Left dumbfounded by everything that Arion just said to him, James didn't move an inch from his position. He doesn't know what to say either. A strong part of him says that everything that Arion just said to him is the truth and he must reflect on the horrible actions he did to the family that loved him dearly.
"D-Dear..." Gloria who is only worried about herself took this chance to come closer to her husband and said, "You should ask your father for forgiveness. We can't live in the slumps, I won't allow it. Come on now."
Hearing that selfish words from Gloria, Martha could not help herself but glare at Gloria. Even up until now, Martha is still disappointed that James married such a woman with no regard for what she shows to other people. 'What a self-centered woman she is.' Martha inwardly said.
"Shut your mouth, Gloria. This is not the time for you to speak your selfish words." James pushes Gloria away, then he felt a surge of pain in his cheek. His cheek is burning in pain because of his brother punch.
He touched it, but instead of getting angry at Arion for punching he somehow felt relieved because it woke him up. He thinking rationally now.
He looks straight at his father. This is old man who looks so fragile yet he is so strong. He showed a bitter smile to him and said, "I know my wrongdoings. Please do what you see fit to punish me, but do exclude my daughter, Sharon. She is still young naive after all." As would care if he goes down as long as his only daughter is not going to live a life of sadness and desperation. As for his wife, he would not care because all she wants from him is money. He would rather have her go down together with him.
As Marcus is about to speak, Martha stepped forward and spoke, "Is that so? Then, I have a suggestion."