CHAPTER 259: CHAPTER 259

At that moment, Clinton gently knocked on the heavy wooden door of his father’s study. A low, tired voice came from inside, "Come in."

Immediately Clinton pushed the door open and stepped into the quiet room. The air felt heavier than usual., he sat and his elbow resting on the armrest, his fingers gently pressing against his temple. Papers were scattered on the desk behind him, but he didn’t seem to be working he just sat there, lost in thought.

Clinton furrowed his brows and walked closer. "Dad... what’s going on? Why are you sitting here all moody like this?"

However His father slowly lifted his gaze, and Clinton noticed for the first time the weariness in his eyes. "You should be happy," Clinton continued with a soft laugh, trying to lighten the mood. "We’ll be going back to our country tomorrow or maybe the next. I mean, this whole trip was a success, right? You should be smiling, not looking like you lost something."

Again his father didn’t smile.

Instead, he adjusted himself in the seat and leaned back slightly. He looked at his son for a long second before nodding quietly.

"Yes, Clinton. Something is wrong."

Clinton’s face tensed slightly, the smile fading.

his father motioned for him to sit. "Come. Sit down. I think... it’s time you know the truth."

Clinton blinked. "What truth?"

His father didn’t respond immediately. He placed both hands on his knees and inhaled slowly, deeply, as though preparing to cross a line he had avoided for years.

"You’re not a child anymore, Clinton," he said firmly. "And everything I’ve taught you every conversation, every discipline, every value I did all that for a reason. I wasn’t just raising you to be a good man... I was preparing you."

Clinton’s confusion only deepened. "Preparing me? For what?"

His father’s tone grew heavier. "For what’s coming."

He leaned forward now, elbows on his knees, locking eyes with his son.

"There’s something I’ve kept from you. Something I didn’t think you were ready for before. But now, I believe you are. So, I need you to listen closely and attentively to what I’m going to say to you now."

At that moment, without wasting another second, Clinton drew the wooden chair closer and sat directly opposite his father. He could feel that something serious was about to unfold. The way his father was staring at the floor, lost in his thoughts, wasn’t normal. Clinton leaned forward slightly, silently encouraging his father to speak.

His father finally looked up, and with a heavy breath, he began.

"Do you remember," he said slowly, "the name James?"

Clinton squinted a little, tilting his head. "James... James..."

His eyebrows pulled together as he tried to dig into his memory. He knew the name sounded familiar, but he couldn’t place it exactly. "Where have I heard that name before?" he murmured. "James... hmm..."

Then his father gave him a pointed look, waiting for the connection to click.

Then, with a sharp nod and a spark of recollection, his father added, "James. the one I told you was interested in Cora."

That was all it took.

Immediately, Clinton’s eyes widened as the memory came rushing back. "Oh! Yeah, yeah, yeah! I remember him now!" he said, snapping his fingers. "The guy that... wait, didn’t you say he was involved in something shady before?"

His father gave a slow nod.

"What happened to him? Did something happen?" Clinton asked quickly, now fully alert. His voice was curious, but there was also a slight tension creeping into it.

He leaned in again, looking at his father with expectation.

At that moment, Festus clenched his fists tightly, his eyes filled with fury as he began to speak.

He said the plan didn’t work out, just like he had feared, it failed woefully. His voice was low but carried heavy anger with each word. "That fool," he muttered, "that good-for-nothing fool actually had the audacity to change plans at the last moment."

Festus leaned forward slightly, seething.

"I told him clearly," he continued, "that the moment he got Cora fully, he should end it. Simple. Just un-life her like a proper killer. But no James decided to do things his way, like always."

He scoffed.

"Instead of doing the one thing he was told, he started playing his usual stupid game manipulating emotions, acting like some charming lover. The idiot actually thought it was a good idea to collect everything from her first. Use her. Milk her trust. Then break her heart so deeply that she’d be shattered. And then," Festus hissed, "he would finally do it, kill her. That was the fool’s perfect plan."

Festus shook his head, bitterness in his tone. "But guess what?" he said with disgust. "That backfired too. Cora caught him cheating before he could even make his move."

His voice dropped into a dangerous whisper. "She caught him. That’s how the whole thing fell apart."

Festus stood up, pacing slowly as if each step was trying to ground his rage.

"I even warned him," he muttered. "I told him... This girl Cora she’s sharp. She’s not weak like the others. But no... James thought he was smarter than me."

Then he pointed sharply, as if James were standing right in front of him. "I should’ve known this was a great mistake. Now look at the mess. The plan... it has failed."

At that moment, hearing what his father just said, Clinton froze for a second. His brows pulled together, and his lips parted slightly, but no words came out at first.

He was taken aback not because he didn’t believe it, but because of the weight of disappointment that suddenly settled on him.

He could remember, clearly, the countless sleepless nights, the long strategy talks, and the way his father had gone above and beyond to convince Cora’s father. Everything was done with one goal to take control, to use Cora’s influence and wealth, and to keep enjoying the benefits tied to her. It was never really about love. It was about the opportunity.

So hearing now that the plan had failed, Clinton felt like everything they had built was about to crumble.

He slowly sat forward, resting his elbows on his knees, staring at the floor. "Dad," he said after a pause, his voice low but firm, "I know I never supported the idea of taking Cora’s life. I always told you that was too extreme."

He looked up at his father, his eyes now filled with frustration and worry.

"But now... after enjoying everything we’ve been enjoying all this time her money, her status, her house, the connection to her family I can’t lie. I can’t get my mind off all that."