Chapter 417: Saving a Life or Extinguishing the Fire?
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Just as Francis Larson and Yvette Larson were about to arrive at the Larson family’s old residence, they each received a text message: “Do you want to save a life or extinguish the fire?”
The pair was still trying to figure the message out when Francis Larson’s phone rang. He glanced at the number. ‘It looks familiar. I didn’t save it, but I’m sure I’ve seen it before. I can’t put my finger on it though.’
‘However, it isn’t the time to think about it.’ Francis Larson picked up the call. ‘Who could be calling me at this time? They probably have something to do with the message.’
He was greeted by a familiar voice. “Francis, do you know who I am?”
“Hilary Stone, it’s you!”
“They all say that the Larson family’s eldest son and daughter-in-law are idiots and good-for-nothings, but I’ve never thought that way. Look, our three families have ganged up against you for so many years, yet we’ve never gained the high ground. Three families can’t even bring one family down, and that was before you guys were even established and well-known. What have you really been up to all these years? You’re obviously a very talented and skilled person, so why haven’t you shown yourself? What are you doing?”
“Hilary Stone, I don’t really understand what you’re trying to say. I guess you have my wife. What do you want to do to me, or what do you want from me? Power or money?”
“I used to tell others that Francis Larson was the most impressive among the four brothers. Look, you’re so clear-headed, Francis. You know well that a person only ever does things for a few reasons—money, power, and influence. Why don’t you make a guess? Which do I want, or do I want them all?”
“Hilary Stone, I already found out about your family background a long time ago. It’s true that our family let yours down years ago, and that’s why I’ve never said anything no matter what you’ve done to the Larson family. Neither have I ever tried to get back at you for that. At that time, many of the other family members said that it would be easier to just kill you. That way, we’d put a stop to all those rumors. I was the one who saved you and let you off. I did that as atonement for my ancestors’ sins. I’m begging you, don’t hurt my wife. Return her safely, and you can have whatever you want.”
“Really? You’ll give me whatever I want? How about Number One Pacific Heights?”
“Sure, as long as you let my wife go.”
“Francis Larson, do you think I’m a toddler? You might be smart, but you have no say in the family. Do you think that your words will mean anything after I let your wife go?”
“Of course. My daughter is sitting right beside me. Why don’t I make her give you her word?”
“Don’t try to play tricks on me. I’m not interested in things like that.”
“Tell me what you want then.”
“That’s simple—a life for a life. You have three choices: you, your daughter, or your son-in-law. I just need one of you to commit suicide; then, I’ll let your wife go.”
“Hilary Stone, you’re inhumane. Can’t you say something feasible? Don’t you feel guilty saying something like that?”
“Guilty? How interesting. You’re the first person to talk about that with me. Do you think I still care about my conscience? I threw that out of the window the moment I got into an affair with your brothers. Don’t you know me well enough? I’m a promiscuous woman who doesn’t care about her dignity! I’ve slept with three men.”
“Three? Did you really sleep with three? Others may not have realized, but did you think I’d be fooled too?”
“Well, that’s interesting. Francis Larson, I never thought that you would see through me.”
“What, did you think it would be that difficult? It was obvious from how you didn’t allow your son to even try to inherit the family. Did you think I’d be a fool like Franklin and Frederick?”
“They’re indeed fools. They don’t even understand what’s going on even now.”
“I think you had better offer us another solution. We’re definitely not going to do as you said.”
“Why not? If you want your wife safe, you can sacrifice yourself. If you can’t, ask your daughter to do it. If she can’t do that either, get your son-in-law to do it. How’s your relationship with him? Hasn’t your daughter already divorced him? You’re not a family anymore, are you? I know your wife hates him too. If not for you, your son-in-law would probably be dead by now. If your son-in-law sacrifices himself for her, she might be grateful to him in the future. Why not do one last good deed before dying then?”
Click!
Hilary Stone was about to say something, but the call ended. She was dumbfounded. ‘They cut me off?’
“What’s going on? Why do people always hang up on me?”
‘Who does Francis Larson think he is? How dare he hang up on me? Doesn’t he know the consequences of doing that? His wife will be done for!’
“Dad, why did you hang up on her? Won’t Mom be in danger?”
“Don’t bother about her. Let’s go to the Larson family’s residence.”
“Can we really just ignore her? Will she really not kill Mom?”
“Don’t worry about it. She’ll get more arrogant and cocky if we do as she says. Anyway, what can she do if we go against her?”
Yvette Larson couldn’t help but feel that her dad was suave, yet she knew that he would definitely pay the price for it after his wife was released. ‘He’ll probably even be beaten up by Mom!’
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