Chapte At the Hardison Mansion.
Sidney had an accident, and now their grandfather, Mick Hardison, shamelessly brought his illegitimate son, Tom Hardison, to claim Sidney’s home as his own.
“If you dare to move in. I’ll burn this place to the ground. Try me!” Caden’s voice was frantic, his grip tight on a gasoline can in the living room.
“This is my brother’s and my home. Why do you have any right to move in? What qualifications do you even have?” Caden shouted, his words full of suppressed rage.
“You little brat, I am your grandpa, and this is your uncle. Sidney is gone, and his property is partly ours now,” Mick said coldly.
“That’s nonsense!” Caden sneered, his eyes filled with tears that burned. “Even if Sidney left suddenly add didn’t leave a will, these properties shouldn’t end up in your hands!”
Mick’s expression darkened, and he shot a glance at Tom.
Tom sneered dismissively. “Without Sidney, you are nothing. It’s not in your best interest to oppose the Hardisons. If we force you out, you’ll have no place left to go.”
In Tom’s eyes, Sidney had coddled his younger brother. Caden was incapable and had no skill in handling the important matters that came with their family’s matters.
That’s why they had no hesitation in taking over the Hardison Group after Sidney’s death because Caden was utterly incapable of running the company.
Sidney’s business was vast–something Caden simply couldn’t manage.
Caden was a classic rich heir. He didn’t need to learn or do anything because Sidney had planned his life out entirely.
Sidney also didn’t want him to get involved in the messy, deceitful business world, so he kept Caden too protected.
After Sidney’s accident, Caden was left in a state of shock, like a baby just learning to walk, unable to accept the change.
“I’ll completely sever ties with you! Get out now, or I swear I won’t be polite!” Caden snapped, furiously pouring gasoline, forcing Tom and Mick to leave.
“He’s gone mad, completely mad,” Mick muttered, sitting back in his wheelchair as he retreated, fear written across his face.
Tom, pushing Mick, sneered as they exited. “This useless lunatic! Without his brother, let’s see how long he can keep up that arrogance.”
Without Sidney, Caden had become an easy target.
Once, he had been untouchable in his circle, all because of Sidney’s influence. But people, especially in his world, were quick to turn on those who were vulnerable. The backstabbing was inevitable.
“Get out!” Caden shouted angrily. After pushing away the people he despised, he collapsed to the ground
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Chapter 473 Herman Won’t Come Buck
and sobbed uncontrollably.
Why. What have I done wrong? He couldn’t remember his parents, who had passed away when he was to young, and because of Sidney’s affection, he didn’t feel that much of a loss. But now, Sidney was gone too
Charles didn’t want him either…
Was he truly nothing more than a useless man? A walking curse that no one wanted around.
He was good for nothing, clueless about everything.
Just like Tom and his friends had said, without Sidney, he meant nothing.
“Caden! I just got some news, Charles is back!” Paulin Zoller, Caden’s friend, burst through the door. His older brother, like Gary, was a soldier and was somewhat involved in the recent operation. “The undercover agents sent by the higher–ups, out of ten, only four made it back. Six were killed in action.”
Paulin glanced at Caden. “But there’s a man named Charles Watts who made it back. I heard he was badly hurt, his identity was exposed and he got captured by the enemy. Three of his ribs were broken, and … I heard both his legs were shattered.”
Caden’s face turned pale as panic surged through him. He gripped Paulin’s collar, shaking. “Where is he? Where …”
His eyes filled with tears, desperate. No matter what condition Charles was in, even if he was injured, Caden couldn’t bear to lose him again.
“You liars …” Caden sobbed. He was certain Charles would never leave him.
Charles said he wanted to go home and get married. But how could he possibly go home for something like
that?
He must have been sent on another mission, just didn’t want to tell him.
“He’s at the military hospital,” Paulin said, feeling pity for Caden. “I’ll have my brother arrange things, and I’ll take you there!”
When Sidney suddenly passed away, true friends felt sympathy for Caden.
After all, they knew how much Sidney had spoiled Caden to the point where he couldn’t care for himself.
Even when Charles was with Caden, Charles treated him the same way, pampering him to the point where someone had to serve him even a simple glass of water.
Now, suddenly, all the people who had shown him such attention were gone.
It was impossible for him to come to terms with it.
So, Paulin asked his brother to gather information about Charles, hoping it would bring Caden a bit of comfort.
At the hospital.
Caden trailed behind Paulin, his eyes slightly swollen from crying.
Chapter 473 Herman Won’t Come Back
He felt a bit anxious, unsure of what to say when he finally saw Charles. What should he say?
He feared that he might lose control and not be able to say a word, only able to cry.
+ Pearls
He was also terrified that Charles would still insist on going home to get married, claiming the mission was over and it was time for him to fulfill his promise.
He feared that Charles might no longer want him and would walk away.
“Caden?” Paulin opened the ward door, noticing Caden standing frozen outside. He called to him.
Caden, his hands tightly clasped together, his eyes already red, stood motionless.
What should I say?
After a moment of hesitation, he finally took a step forward and entered.
On the hospital bed, Charles sat at the edge, his back to the door, staring out the window, lost in thoughts that no one could guess.
Following the operation, all secret agents were required to go through psychological counseling. Their most severe wounds were not physical but emotional and psychological.
“Charles…” Caden felt uneasy. Charles seemed to have lost weight. He must have been through a lot, right?
Charles froze for a moment and turned to face Caden.
Caden stood frozen, his chest tight with sorrow that made it hard to breathe.
After a brief silence, Caden hurriedly spoke in distress. “Paulin … we, we came into the wrong room. I’m sorry, we mistook you for someone.”
He’s not Charles. He’s not …
Paulin stared, confused, at the patient’s name above the bed. “Charles Watts…
Charles looked at Caden, and after a pause, he said, “Are you Caden Hardison?”
Caden’s breath grew fast, and he nodded. “Who … who are you?”
”
Charles‘ face showed deep fatigue, his face marked with injuries, and his expression appeared dark and weary. “My name is Charles Watts. Before, I returned to Seaville, working alongside an undercover cop named Herman Benson.”
Caden trembled uncontrollably, too scared to listen further.
Charles was not Charles at all.
His true name was Herman Benson.
Charles had never told him about this.
So Caden couldn’t tell if this Charles had ever truly existed.
“Where … where is he?” Caden asked in a hushed voice, struggling to hold back his tears.
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Chapter 473 Herman Won’t Come Back
He was an adult, crying over this would only make him a joke.
18 Paz
“We met in Oasisvale. He told me he had found someone he wanted to protect for the rest of his life.” Charles took off a dog tag from his neck, it belonged to Herman. “This is Herman’s. He wanted me to give it to you.”
People like them, far from home, always hang their identification tags around their necks. If they lost their lives in an unfamiliar place, they hoped someone would find them and bring them back.
Caden couldn’t bring himself to step forward. His voice shook as he repeated, “Where is he…”
An identification tag like this was never handed over unless its owner was gone.
Lowering his head, Charles sighed and said with regret, “I’m sorry… Herman might not make it back.”
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