Chapter 454: The Squeeze of the Little Cotton-Padded Jacket

"I hope you mean what you say this time!"

After pressing his temples again, the weary old Charles hesitated slightly, then sighed:

"Also, he saved my wife. Once we find him, be gentle—don't hurt him."

"Understood, we'll remember!"

"Good. Then go. Bring me back what's mine."

After the detectives left with their new mission, the exhausted old man slumped back in his padded office chair, pressing his index and middle fingers together as he rubbed his throbbing temples.

I'm just getting old…

As Charles Department Store grew stronger, years of comfort have dulled my vigilance too much—if I'd been the man I was twenty years ago, or even ten, this would never have happened.

Even if I couldn't bring myself to act harshly, I should have halted the hydro company's project from the start—I never should have let those bastards use the name "Charles" without demanding control.

Just as old Charles was massaging his aching head, pondering the need to quickly groom a worthy heir while he still had strength, a knock came at the office door.

"Tap. Tap-tap."

Hearing the knock, the old man stiffened—as if flipping a switch—and instantly returned to his sharp, capable demeanor, straightening his slightly hunched back, glancing down at documents as he called out loudly:

"Enter!"

"Dad, it's us!"

With a weary voice, a young woman with a doll-like face in a business suit helped Charles's furious wife into the office.

"Charles!"

As soon as the office door closed and they confirmed no sound could escape, the middle-aged woman, having reached her limit, shrieked:

"What's going on with the company shares? You gave away forty percent at once—is Charles Department Store still Charles Department Store?"

"You have the nerve to come here?"

Before the woman could speak, old Charles already knew what she'd say—he slammed his fist on the desk, glaring fiercely as he roared:

"What happened with the hydro company? Did any of the problems I warned you about come to pass? If I hadn't acted fast and hadn't refused to rely solely on you to negotiate, Charles Department Store would be gone already!"

"… "

Hearing Charles mention the hydro company, the woman's confidence wavered, but she pressed on:

"Still, you couldn't give away forty percent of the shares—especially most of it from my family's side…"

"If you hadn't given away forty percent, do you think you'd still be standing here yelling at me?"

Not hiding his exhaustion in front of family, old Charles leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples wearily:

"Don't you remember? Fifteen years ago, when Charles Department Store nearly collapsed, I refused to give up a single share—I opposed giving away shares more than you ever did. But this time, we have no choice."

It may seem like the problem's solved, but the solution was too brutal—we made huge profits, but we crushed every competitor's interests at once."

Do you know? We've dragged down price standards across fifteen entire industries. The Business Union is furious. If we don't give them a share of the pie, what do you think will happen?"

Watching his wife suddenly shudder, as if grasping something, old Charles spoke without expression:

"This year, Charles Department Store will grow massively—but after the year ends, when the heat dies down and the compensation is paid, Charles Department Store won't belong to the Charles family anymore."

Without the support of the Business Union and the councilors, I alone cannot hold onto this company—not even guarantee basic safety. Then we'll all end up together in prison. Do you understand?"

Seeing his wife, pale as death and barely standing thanks to her daughter's support, old Charles, still not satisfied, pounded the desk and raised his voice:

"Do you know what your biggest stupidity is? If you don't, I'll tell you: you always think everything follows the rules!"

You think a veto clause in a contract can stop the old nobles from scheming?

You think seizing factories and retail channels forces everyone to yield?

You think once the company grows big, you don't need to care about the Business Union's opinion? You're utterly foolish!"

Seeing his wife, ashen-faced and leaning on their daughter to avoid collapsing, old Charles's eyes flickered with pity—but he hardened his heart and added:

"People play by the rules with you because they know they can't beat me outside the rules!"

But now we're the ones who started dumping goods, breaking the unspoken rules, pushing everyone to the brink—do you still expect them to play fair and not strike back?"

At a time like this, if you don't quickly give up shares and bring capable people on board to share the burden, are you just going to sit on your pile of gold and laugh until you die?"

"Dad! You… you shouldn't talk like that. Mom just wanted to help you—she just lacked vision a little."

"But Dad, think about it—how many people have risen from nothing to become one of the top three merchants in the capital in just twenty years? How could anyone's vision compare to yours?"

After glancing nervously at her trembling mother, the doll-faced girl quickly signaled and tried to smooth things over:

"Dad! Mom was a pampered noblewoman before she ran away with you—then she learned to wash clothes, cook meals, stayed up all night helping you stock shelves and balance accounts, and fought alongside you all these years—how hard has that been?"

"All these years, except for this one misjudgment, she's managed company affairs flawlessly, never caused trouble—and when I was little, you were always busy. She had to care for me while learning how to…"

"Enough."

She shook off her daughter's hand, her features echoing her daughter's—still holding traces of youthful innocence—and pressed her lips tight, turning her head stubbornly:

"A mistake is a mistake. Why bring up the past?"

"I chose to run away with you—that was my choice. Now I made this mistake—that's my choice too. I don't need to trade past sacrifices for sympathy!"

"Besides, look at your father—he'll collapse in his office if no one watches him. Too many people are buying now; the staff can't handle everything. I'm going to supervise."

"Mom, your illness just improved—maybe I should…"

"I don't need you!"

"… "

Watching his wife storm out, old Charles fell silent for a moment, then waved his hand at his daughter, who still looked ready to speak:

"Don't try to console me. I'm not blaming her. I spoke harshly so she'd remember this lesson. As for the past—I remember it better than you do."

"Do you know? Because I was too poor to give your mother proper care, after giving birth to you, her health suffered—she barely had any milk."

"I was working day and night to support us. She, once a pampered noblewoman, wore a ragged apron, braved winter cold, carried you, starving and crying, begging door to door—until she knelt down and begged for just a little milk…"

Recalling those hard days, old Charles's eyes darkened:

"When I rushed home early, worried about our situation, and saw that scene—I swore then: even if I sold my soul to the devil, became a monster without conscience, I'd make sure you two lived well! Ah… now I think back…

I've never feared anyone in my life—except your mother. I could never say no to her. If I'd held out just a little longer when we started the hydro company, maybe we wouldn't be here now… Forget it. Let's not talk about it."

He touched the four stacked metal boxes on his right, confirmed the locks were intact, then shook his head slightly:

"Let's go. Your mother's health is poor—we should…"

"It's bad!"

As father and daughter rose to leave, the office door burst open—a sales clerk in uniform rushed in, panicked:

"Boss! From the cash box at the shopping plaza… something crawled out!"

"Goo! Goo!"

Two deafening croaks from outside interrupted the clerk's words—and a calm, clear male voice echoed simultaneously in the hearts of over fifty thousand people surrounding Charles Department Store:

"You who chase wealth—I ask you:"

After struggling to climb out of the massive cash box, a giant toad, drenched in coins, puffed its golden cheeks, croaked, and spat out a river of golden coins, then squinted and smiled kindly:

"Are these gold pieces I've spat out enough to buy your life?"

(End of Chapter)