Chapter 145
Hospital.
After five hours of emergency treatment, Holland was out of danger.
Dawn broke.
Lucy, exhausted, sat smoking in the hallway, waiting for Holland to wake up.
The all-night vigil had deepened the lines on Lucy's face, but the sharpness in her gaze was undiminished, her hostility towards Samuel evident from her sneer. "We hardly see you around here, and yet the moment Father has an incident, you rush back? You put on a good show of indifference towards The Holland Group, but deep down, you're the most anxious.
"But let me remind you, Samuel, try to see the bigger picture. You're merely the president of The Holland Group in name, don't get it twisted. Succession rights to The Holland Group? It's all about bloodline, and impure blood has no claim to it. We regard the old man as having hired someone to manage the company, that's all."
Samuel flicked his cigarette, eyes bloodshot after the sleepless night, but his spirit was indomitable, his presence outshining Lucy's by far. Dressed in a sleek black suit and a white shirt, he sat poised, his handsome and haughty demeanor like a regal lion.
His lips curled into a cold smirk.
Lucy despised that smile, it set her blood ablaze. "What are you smirking at?"
"Just remembered a line I heard recently: when ambition outpaces ability, you become a joke."
Lucy's face fell into a frown. "Don't flatter yourself thinking you're the only one who can manage Holland Enterprises. It was doing just fine when Jovan and I were at the helm. It's ridiculous to think you're the only talent here."
"Whether I'm capable or not, you know the truth. Even if I handed over Holland Enterprises, who would dare to take it? Who could?" Samuel retorted with an undeniable air of command.
A scornful laugh escaped Lucy; she was almost choked by her own pride. That bastard! He was so full of himself!
She said sarcastically, "Don't get cocky just because you think you're somewhat skilled. Bloodlines don't change, and you bring nothing but disgrace to the Holland family. Remember the last time at my birthday party? You made the Hollands the laughingstock of the whole city. If Dad hadn't suppressed the news, we would have become the joke of the entire town. And look at the kind of woman you've chosen."
Samuel's gaze grew colder as he let out a mocking laugh. "Who I choose is none of your business. But if you can't control your son, I won't hesitate to 'educate' him myself. And it won't just be a matter of losing a limb."
Lucy slammed her hand on the couch and sprang to her feet, "If you lay a finger on my Vincent, I-"
Samuel gave her a dismissive look; he was never one to fear threats. Her warnings sounded like nothing more than a stray dog barking at him.
"Mr. Darwin has come to," announced the nurse as she stepped out of the room.
Lucy snuffed out her cigarette and headed for the room but was stopped by the nurse.
"Mr. Darwin only wants to see Samuel."
Lucy frowned, "Are you sure you heard right? Is the old man confused?"
"I heard very clearly. He wants to see Samuel, and Mr. Darwin is in a good mental state, fully lucid."
"You..." Lucy was fuming and nearly struck the nurse. Unable to contain her rage, she watched Samuel enter the sickroom.
...
Holland's hair had turned a shade whiter, but his intimidating presence was undiminished. He glared at Samuel with discontent. "What are you doing here? You looking to watch me die from irritation?"
"Didn't you ask for me? Should I leave?" Samuel replied, making a move to exit.
"You beast!" Holland exclaimed, slapping the bed in anger.
"Calm down. Your children are outside, and they're all worried about you."
Holland frowned, displeased by the remark. Deep down, he knew that his children were not worried about him but rather about who would take control of Holland Enterprises, afraid it might fall into Samuel's hands.
In the world of the elite, there was power, wealth, but a stark absence of warmth and familial bonds. This was something Holland had come to accept, yet with age, thoughts of it brought a mix of helplessness and sentimentality. Ambition still burned within, but now and then, he couldn't help but envy the simple joys of families blessed with love and laughter, from parents to children to grandchildren.
Holland sighed heavily. Illness had a way of leading one's thoughts astray.
He cast a cool glance at Samuel and scoffed, "Aren't you worried?"
Samuel's lips curved into a dismissive smirk. "Worried about Holland Group? Hardly seems worth the stress."
Holland's blood boiled. A multi-billion-dollar conglomerate, among the world's elite, reduced to "something hardly worth the stress" by this brash kid? Just how far did his ambition reach?
"Have you had your fill of trouble with that Layla girl?" Holland's voice dripped with dissatisfaction, that situation having grown into his greatest concern.
"Trouble?" Samuel found the term amusing.
"If that's not trouble, what is? The entire Holland family's been turned upside down! I know you resent being pushed to marry Nora, and we can discuss that marriage prospect in due time..." Holland believed he had shown willingness to compromise.
But all Samuel did was shake his head with a laugh. "You still don't get it. I only want Layla."
"That penniless nobody? Dared to strike a guest at the Holland family dinner, no sense of decorum, nowhere close to Nora in caliber. And you, spoiling her, even went as far as to bring ruin to the Justin household." The very thought ignited Holland's anger.
Though he had managed to suppress the news, enough people knew to point fingers at the Holland's for taking things too far.
"Maybe it's exactly her spirit I'm drawn to..." At the mention of his woman, Samuel's eyes softened with tenderness.
This deeply unsettled Holland.
At first, he thought Samuel had found some random girl to irk him, but as things progressed, it became clear that Samuel meant it-his feelings were genuine.
Still, Holland retorted, "We're both men here, don't I understand? This liking is nothing but a fleeting fascination. Once the novelty wears off, even the most beautiful woman is no more than a worn-out dress."
"Like how you felt about my mother?" Samuel's eyes narrowed, sharp as daggers.
Holland felt as if a knife had pierced his throat; he was speechless, unable to utter a single word.
One moment, he was lecturing with authority; the next, his face fell, crestfallen yet still clinging to pride as he raised his voice. "I've already told you, stop bringing up the past!"
"Why can't you just admit it? I thought people, especially those from a distinguished family like the Hollands, would have the courage to own up to their actions," he said with a mocking laugh directed at Holland.
"Are you still holding a grudge about the past? Are you trying to get back at me now?" Holland retorted bitterly.
"You think too highly of yourself!" the other shot back disdainfully.
"You..." Holland felt a suffocating frustration. He realized this ungrateful son was out to get him, to anger him to death. Arguing with him would only hasten his demise.
Bearing down on his pride, Holland swallowed the bitter pill and warned sternly, "Enough is enough! Don't think for a second that I won't lay a hand on you. I'm telling you right here and now, that wild girl won't be joining the Holland family unless she steps over my dead body."