“Uncle, the contract clearly states that Antares has to hand over 4 percent of his shares if the engagement is called off!” Alicia still refused to give up. She had always dreamed of becoming a shareholder in Arthur Corp. Four percent alone would be enough for her to live comfortably.
“A year ago, Antares sold all his shares. A few months after selling them, the money in his account was gone. I don’t even know what he used it for,” Ronald explained.
Alicia wasn’t pleased with that answer. She wanted shares in Arthur Corp, but her former fiancé had already sold them. “You called off the engagement. The compensation is 4 percent of Arthur Corp’s shares!”
Antares merely smiled. Four percent of Arthur Corp’s shares was worth 500 billion. The money from selling his shares was already gone. Aside from him and a few others, no one knew where the money had gone.
“You really have no shame! You only remember clause four while conveniently ignoring clause three. Clause three states that if either party betrays or cheats on the other, the other party doesn’t have to pay any compensation!”
“Clause three or four—I don’t care! You called off the engagement, which means you have to compensate me!” Alicia insisted. “Besides, I betrayed the agreement because you were too rigid and acted so holier-than-thou!”
“Then leave! The Arthur residence doesn’t welcome shameless people like you!” Antares pointed at the door standing wide open. “The exit is right there! Get out!”
Antares’s firm attitude left Ronald confused. For years, his youngest son had been easy to pressure. For some reason, he felt that the slacker he had seen all these years was merely a mask covering his true nature.
“Antares, what are you hiding? Did you spend all that money having fun, or did you use it for something else?” A sliver of suspicion appeared in his heart like a stain on white cloth. He had lived for 65 years, but this was the first time he had ever seen a slacker and spendthrift act so decisively.
“Five hundred billion! I don’t believe you’ve already spent that much money!” Alicia demanded.
“I told you it was gone, but you’re still being stubborn!” Antares took a cookie from the jar, but Alicia suddenly slapped his hand, sending the cookie he was about to eat tumbling to the floor.
“You insolent brat!” He stood up and slapped Alicia. The sharp crack of the slap made everyone fall silent.
“Alicia! The head butler worked so hard to make that cookie, and you threw it away! Looks like you need to be taught a lesson!” Anger flashed in his eyes. His gaze turned icy, and his hands clenched into fists. His reaction frightened Alicia.
“It was only one cookie! It wasn’t gold!”
Smack!
For the second time, the sound of a slap echoed through the room, and everything fell silent at once. Alicia, having been slapped twice, merely held her reddened cheek and fought back tears. Not a word escaped her lips.
“Alicia Wijaya!” Antares stepped closer. “My patience has limits!”
“What are you going to do?” Alicia backed away, her body trembling.
“At first, I wanted to give you a way out, but your attitude is absolutely disgusting!” Antares said.
“Antares! You should know your place!” Mr. Bayu shouted.
“My daughter is beautiful and well-educated! She’s a perfect match for a slacker like you!”
“Well-educated, but she willingly gave herself to someone else!” Antares sneered.
“Why are you still here?” Antares asked.
“You!” Mr. Bayu’s face flushed red. His hands clenched as if his anger could explode at any moment.
“If you refuse to take responsibility, I’ll sue the Wijaya family!” Mr. Bayu threatened.
“If Mr. Bayu wants to humiliate himself, be my guest!” Antares smiled mockingly. “Who do you think will win? Me or the Wijaya family?” he asked challengingly.