Chapter 23 Henry Hits Winner
"Hehehe!"
Winner gave a small sad chuckle. His heart skipped a beat and a guilty look appeared on his face.
Winner thought, 'If Shirley figures out that I tried but failed to kidnap Jean, the consequences would be terrible.' "What's wrong with you?" Shirley asked. Sensing something was wrong with her bother, Shirley studied Winner.
Winner replied," Well, it's okay. I'm fine. I'm just trying to come up with a plan to help father. Unfortunately, I don't have what it takes to do something like that." Winner stopped to rub his chin before continuing," Sister, I believe you are smarter than me. You are capable of accomplishing such an important task. As for me, I'd like to continue my computer games and management studies. One day if our father falls ill, I would take over his company. I have to learn so that I have the ability to manage our company. Don't you think so? Am I right?"
As Winner finished speaking, he began imagining what it would be like to manage such a big company. He forgot about his guilt as he thought of what he would do with the money and how the women would flock to him once they learned of his status. A smile grew on his face as he thought, 'If Zed sues father and the shock causes father's health to deteriorate, the responsibility of running the company would come to me.
That would be awesome!' Winner was excited by this thought.
Shirley glared at Winner. She was a little disappointed in her brother.
She cried out loud," Winner, you're such a bad son!"
Shirley's high-pitched scream shook Winner to the bone. He snapped out of his day-dreaming and gazed at his sister. He was at a loss for what to do. "What's the matter with you?"
Winner asked in his usual casual tone.
Upon hearing what Winner had said, Shirley's blood boiled. She stuck her finger on his nose, gritted her teeth, and said," How can you say that about our father? You would not be living a comfortable life right now if it wasn't for his hard work and money. How dare you put a curse on our father? What could be more wrong than that?"
Winner knew that Shirley was really angry with him right now. But he was not afraid of her at all. He burst into laughter after glancing at her furious face. He couldn't believe she had taken something like that so seriously. Then, he scoffed," Sister, if there is something wrong with me, then there is something wrong with you. You have been trying your best to drive Jean over the edge. Finally, you succeeded in getting her out of the house. Our parents love you, so they always believed you when you complained about her. However, you are no better than me. You're in no position to accuse me."
Winner's face still wore a casual smile.
Shirley couldn't understand why Winner wouldn't take her seriously. She was too angry to say another word.
At that moment, someone kicked the door wide open.
"Bang!"
Upon hearing the loud noise, Shirley and Winner turned around at the same time.
Shirley gasped when she saw their father's furious face. She had rarely seen him that angry before.
Shirley's heart gave a horrible jolt and Winner also got a bad feeling.
As far as they could remember, the only time their father got so angry was when Jean had done something wrong.
Shirley forced a smile after the shock she had felt, settled. Then, she asked tentatively," Dad, what are you doing home? Aren't you supposed to be at the office? By the way, where is our mom?"
After asking those questions, Shirley looked out the door hoping to see their mother.
Shirley frowned when she didn't see Joy.
When Henry didn't answer Shirley, Winner thought he could distract their father.
And so, Winner smiled and asked Henry," Well, dad, what are you doing back? Are you OK? You were supposed to be at the company dealing with something important, weren't you?" "What did you say just now? Do you dare to repeat it?"
Henry didn't pay any attention to Winner's question. Instead, he dared Winner to speak again. Then he turned his eyes upon his son with a deadly look.
Winner was sure that their father had heard both, his and Shirley's questions. Winner could also guess why their father was upset. He thought, 'What do I do?'
Winner decided to ease attention away from himself. And so, he gave Shirley a little push. Since she was standing close to Winner, he thought their father would not be able to see him. Unluckily, Winner's movement was seen by Henry.
"What did you do just now? You never cease to amaze me! Always causing trouble and never taking any responsibility for your actions. Well, I have had enough. I don't care who tries to defend you, I will punish you. Tell me, son, what horrid things did you do a few days ago? Do you still remember?"
Henry was so angry that he howled at his son. He looked around as though in search of something.
When he didn't find the object he was looking for, Henry stormed out of the room.
After Henry left, Winner drew a breath of relief. He gasped and hurriedly turned to Shirley for help.
"Sister, please help me. You know I always say the wrong thing to people. You also know that I never mean it. I didn't curse our father on purpose. Please say some nice things about me to dad, okay?"
Shirley was utterly confused by what she had seen and heard. She was still processing what was happening when Winner asked for her help. Considering how angry their father was, she realized that he might have made a very serious mistake.
Both Shirley and Henry knew that Winner was only rude to his family members. When he was in front of outsiders, he could be very charming and kind.
"Are you hiding something from our father? You did a rotten thing, didn't you?" Shirley asked.
Shirley stared at Winner after composing herself.
Winner didn't retort and was unable to give a clear answer. It seemed that he had a secret that was too terrible to share with his sister.
"You..."
Shirley would have liked to reprove her brother. But before she got the chance to do so, their father had stomped back into the room. This time, he carried a broom in his hand.
"Dad, what are you going to do?" Shirley asked.
Shirley had understood what Henry was going to do, so she quickly stepped forward and grabbed the broom. Meanwhile, she gestured at Winner to leave.
Winner thought, 'Shirley is my biological sister. Although we don't get along well with each other, when either of us is in danger, the other one will be ready to help.'
When Winner saw that his sister was helping him, a smug look appeared on his face. However, at that moment, Henry yelled at Shirley," If you dare to stand in my way today, I will beat you as well." "Dad, ..." Shirley's heart skipped a beat. Then, she looked up and met her father's eyes.
'What is going on with dad?' she wondered.
"Dad, what happened to make you so angry?"
Shirley softened her tone and asked her father. Meanwhile, she held the broom as tightly as she could.
"I am going to beat Winner to death today," replied Henry.
Henry didn't tell Shirley why he was so angry. Of course, he didn't mention the unforgivable mistake his son had made, either. He pushed Shirley away, rushed toward Winner, and swung the broom.
As a young man, Winner was not as weak as Jean. He remembered that when Jean came home last time, their father beat her till she could barely walk. Not wanting to be in that position, Winner dodged the blow.
"Dad, what's the matter with you? If I did something wrong, please tell me. Okay?"
"How dare you ask me what the matter is? Don't you know what you did?"
After that, Henry swung the broom at Winner again.
This time Winner failed to dodge and the broom made contact with his face.
"Hiss!"
Winner gasped as pain exploded across his face. Henry stopped to gape at what he had done. Winner took advantage and quickly ran to the entrance of the bedroom.
Winner cried out," Dad, what mistake did I make to get you this mad?"
Henry screeched," What mistake? I can't believe you have not figured out your mistake till now."
Henry felt exhausted and gasped for breath. His anger and sudden movements had consumed much of his energy.
After a moment's hesitation, Winner looked at his father and said coldly," Dad, I know you don't like me. In your eyes, I am an ignoramus. No matter what I do, you are always dissatisfied with me. Since that is the case, it is meaningless for me to stay in this house any longer. I'd better leave before it's too late. "0000000☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐