Chapter 230 - The Father

"It's been a while, father."

Standing before him was Lory Itou. His father.

Similar to Tobias, Lory Itou had successfully built his own company with his strength and resources. He married, built a family of two sons, and became a successful businessman.

Unfortunately, when Tobias was in high school, the company went bankrupt. Everything his father had earned and worked for was gone from one reckless mistake.

In order to survive, it was Tobias who forced himself into the business industry. And after three years of hard work, he established his first company.

To the man in front of him, Tobias held little respect.

In response to Tobias's clear aversion, Lory Itou didn't take offense and just gave a faint smile.

His eyes crinkled a little. "Indeed, it has been a long time."

Tobias's expression remained unchanged in the face of Lory's nostalgic tone.

"I heard you were recently in an accident," Lory mentioned, his eyes shifting to the scar above his son's eyebrow.

"Yes," Tobias answered flatly.

"I take it from how you look right now it wasn't too serious."

Tobias was silent and just stared at his father. Lory looked at Tobias and heaved a small sigh.

"I see you're still the same."

"A lot has changed." Tobias looked at him coldly.

"Yes, you're right. After all this time, you have become a successful and accomplished grown man. I'm proud of you, Tobias."

Tobias's nostrils flared. His hands folded in front of him squeezed. He stared at his father for a moment then spoke in a voice a scold as ice.

"I don't want to hear those words from someone like you."

For the first time since entering the room, Lory's expression stiffened. For a moment, a hint of affliction surfaced on his face before disappearing the next second.

"You're right." He looked at him with heavy expression then sighed. "Well, I guess should leave you to your work now."

"That would be wise." Tobias's eyes narrowed.

Lory smiled helplessly and turned to leave the office. Just before leaving, he turned to look at his son one last time.

"You did well for yourself, Tobias."

Tobias was silent, his eyes hardening even further. When his father turned to leave, he watched as the door closed. At that moment, Tobias's clenched fists were shaking violently.

The dark and vicious memories inside him clawed viciously, threatening to break out.

His whole body seethed in violence, and his black eyes darkened, looking like an endless pit of nothingness.

He needed to keep himself under control. He couldn't allow himself to go back to that place.

When Tobias finally calmed down, he tiredly leaned against his chair. It had been years since he last saw him and now, all of a sudden, his father wanted to see him.

Ever since that day, Tobias could never see that man as his father. He was no longer the person he looked up to.

Tobias's mouth suddenly curled self-mockingly. In comparison to the sins he had committed over the years, he was no better than his father or anyone else in the industry.

His heart was filled with utter darkness. But somewhere in the deepest depths, there was light.

Tobias's gaze softened for a moment. Unlike him, who was nothing but corrupt, there was still her. When he first met Mimi, he couldn't help but see himself. A youth entering the big and complicated business world that would change his life forever.

Unlike Mimi, he was alone with no one to guide him. No one to warn him of the dangers and misconducts that occurred. All he had was himself.

He didn't want that for her.

Tobias guided her, trained, and supplied her with the resources she needed to grow. Who would have thought along the way, he came to find her more than a reflection of himself, but someone he truly wished to know.

Mimi was nothing like any of the people he met before. It was interesting, but frustrating at the same time. To never read her thoughts, to never understand what she felt, it was infuriating.

Then one day, everything changed. After four years of knowing her, he felt strange. He felt like something was pressing down on his chest like something unknown was gnawing at him from the inside. It was not a pleasant feeling but this feeling did not make him unhappy or uncomfortable.

[You're in love.]

Three simple words, but the answer he was looking, that he knew all along. He could not define the tremendous changes in himself with those three words alone. The moment those words were spoken he felt remorse, disgust, anger, and fear. No relief.

It felt wrong. So wrong, he felt the urge to throw up at that very moment.

Even though he didn't know much about Mimi, he knew enough. She would never fall in love with someone.

She could hardly even stand the thought of friendship.

Yet, who would have thought…she loved him too.

Tobias's chest filled with warmth. The previous coldness in his heart vanished. He sighed in his seat and covered his face with both hands.

At the very least, he could thank his father for one thing. He was glad he became someone who could fall in love with her deeply. He had been given such a precious gift…he could only hope he could pay it back, little by little.

If she wants him to…he'd dedicate his life to her.

…

Jinny glanced up from her notebook when Mimi, looking dazed, returned from answering a phone call.

"Ms. Mimi, is something wrong?"

In the company lounge area, Mimi slumped down in a seat and leaned propped her chin against the table. She sighed heavily.

"I'm frustrated."

Shocked, Jinny set down her pen and propped her elbows on the table. "What's frustrating you?"

"My boyfriends a saint and my brother's the devil."

Ever since Alec discovered her relationship with Tobias, he would check in on her non-stop. Minutes ago, Mimi had just gotten off the phone with Alec after he badgered her endlessly. In short, he told her to protect her maidenhood at all costs.

Regrettably, Tobias agreed with brother. He followed through to respect Alec's wishes and restrict their already limited physical contact. She wasn't even allowed to stay alone at his house without supervision!

While Mimi sulked and surrounded herself with heavy clouds, Jinny's eyes widened the moment she heard her words.

"You…You have a boyfriend, Ms. Mimi?"

Mimi raised her eyes a little. When she noticed the shock in the woman's face, the corners of her lips twitched a little.

"Is that so surprising?" She laughed lightly and rested her chin in her palm, as she stared at Jinny with her head tilted.

Realizing her words came out slightly offensive, Jinny rapidly shook her head.

"No! No! That's not what I meant. I—"

"I have a lesson for you Jinny, and listen well." Mimi leaned back in her seat and spoke in a righteous tone. "People are mysterious and complex creatures. But at the end of the day, everyone has their own preference, fetish, and obsession."

Jinny was silent. She had no words. At that moment, a commotion was heard in the front of the building. The two raised their heads in the direction of the ruckus.

"I wonder what's going on over there." Jinny tilted her head curiously, her neck craning a bit to look.

Mimi merely glanced at the area with a bored gaze. Just when she was about to retract her gaze, she froze. Taking a closer look at the figure in front, her expression gradually grew dimmer and dimmer upon realization.

What was Kenji doing here?!

However, Mimi didn't have to worry about that for too long because just as she stood, Kenji's sharp gaze landed on her. Mimi stiffened.

Crap. Crap. Crap!

He was now walking right toward her!