8 Taste of Freedom
Henry remembers that when he told his father about his decision to resume his studies, his father didn't act like a responsible parent or even show concern for his future. Instead, he behaved more like a businessman. When Henry brought up the subject, his father told him, "There's no need to waste your time on meaningless studies. You should have heard about the JDX Group, which is very prominent internationally. The owner of the ZX Group has a daughter around your age. I have decided to arrange for you to marry her. If you marry the daughter of the JDX Group, it will help expand the Harrison Corporation internationally."
The only thing Henry understood from his father's words was that he wanted him to marry a girl he had never seen or met, solely because her father was wealthy and could assist in expanding the Harrison Corporation internationally.
He firmly declined his father's offer and made it clear that he had no intention of marrying someone solely to benefit the Harrison Corporation's international expansion. This refusal led to numerous arguments between father and son.
After enduring many days of such conflict, Henry finally expressed his frustration to his father, saying, "Why can't you leave me alone? Do you only want to manipulate my shattered life? Is it so difficult for you to see your own son happy?" In response, his father harshly retorted, "You're nothing but a worthless piece of trash. If it weren't for the Harrison name, you'd be nothing. If you weren't my son, you'd be scavenging for food on the streets with the dogs. So if you don't want to fight for food on the streets with the dogs, do as I say."
Actually, he always blamed his father for being unfaithful to his deceased mother. A few years before his mother died of illness, their relationship was strained, marked by frequent quarrels. Whenever he looked at his mother's face during that time, all he could see was sadness. Whenever he questioned his mother about the reason for her sadness, she would simply smile and dismiss it as nothing, telling him not to worry. It was only after his mother's death that he learned the truth. His mother had discovered that his father had married her solely for her family background, and from the beginning of their marriage, he had been deceitful and had affairs with other women, some of whom even bore his children. He could only imagine the pain his mother must have felt upon learning this truth about his father.
A part of him held his father responsible for his mother's death, believing that the betrayal had contributed to her suffering. Despite this, he always yearned for his father's care and attention, hoping to find solace in their relationship. However, he now realized that his father's indifference towards him mirrored the lack of concern he had shown for his mother.
Upon hearing these hurtful words from his father, Henry reached his breaking point. He no longer wished to live under the same roof with this man, let alone acknowledge him as his father.
He said angrily to his father, "Fine, I don't want to be a Harrison. I have no desire for your wealth. It's all yours, and don't think I'm oblivious to your illegitimate children. Why don't you bring one of them forward and make them the heir to the Harrison Corporation? Let them marry the Princess of the JDX group. With your influence, it shouldn't be a problem." With those words, he stormed out of the house.
For a couple of days, he received multiple calls from his father's secretary, but he never picked up. Seven days later, while staying in a hotel, he heard a knock on the door. Opening it, he found his father's secretary standing there. Surprised, he asked what brought him here. The secretary explained, "Sir, since you weren't answering your phone, I came here personally. Your father wants to discuss something very important with you." With that, he gestured towards his phone.
Reluctant to speak with his father, he finally relented after persistent persuasion from the secretary. On the phone, his father delivered a single line: "If you do not come home right this instant and do as I say, then I will act on your suggestion and find another heir for the Harrison Corporation."
He seethed with frustration that his father remained fixated on the idea of him marrying. He understood the underlying threat in his father's words: if he didn't return, his father would groom one of his illegitimate sons to inherit the family fortune, effectively cutting him off. But he'd reached his breaking point. He refused to be manipulated by wealth. Though he acknowledged the challenges of severing ties with his father's financial support, he valued his freedom above all else. With a cold tone, he delivered his response to his father: "Do as you please. I have no intention of returning." With that, he terminated the call.
A month later, the secretary returned bearing a document, requesting Henry's signature. Alongside this, he relayed the news that most public information linking Henry to Samuel Harrison had been expunged, and all of his bank accounts had been frozen. Henry remained stoic in response to this upheaval. The secretary further extended an offer on behalf of Henry's father: to secure a place for him at a prestigious university. Henry's retort was terse and resolute: "Inform my father there's no need. I can carve my own path into university." The secretary offered no rebuttal, concluding his task with a nod before taking his leave.
Three months later, while working part-time in a restaurant, he caught sight of breaking news on the TV: the announcement of the engagement between the heir of Harrison Corporation and the daughter of JDX Group. It dawned on him that this young heir must be one of his father's illegitimate sons. The news sparked a frenzy, marking the grand debut of Samuel Harrison's offspring on a major platform. However, he found himself surprisingly indifferent to the revelation. He harbored no bitterness towards the fact that another had taken his place as the legitimate son of Samuel Harrison and heir to the Harrison Corporation. Instead, he felt a profound sense of relief, as if shedding a weight that had long burdened him. Free from the constraints of the Harrison name, he finally embraced the prospect of a new beginning.
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Hey everyone! Here's the update I promised. Take a look and let me know what you think of the writing. If you have any suggestions about the story, feel free to drop them in the comments. And if you're enjoying the story and want more frequent updates, please show your support by leaving positive reviews and voting. The next update should be up in two or three days. Thanks for your understanding. Catch you later!
