CHAPTER 3 – The Apology Came Too Late
The lobby stayed frozen.
Samuel stared at the photograph like he was looking at a ghost from another lifetime.
“My son died,” he whispered. “They told me you died.”
William shook his head, tears burning in his eyes.
“They lied to both of us.”
The young executives who had laughed at Samuel slowly backed away, their faces turning white.
One of them stepped forward.
“Mr. Sterling, we had no idea—”
William turned.
His voice was calm.
That made it even more terrifying.
“You had no idea he was my father?”
The executive swallowed hard.
William stepped closer.
“So you only respect people when they belong to someone powerful?”
Nobody answered.
Samuel quickly stood up, embarrassed.
“William… please. Don’t ruin anyone’s life because of me.”
William looked at his father’s torn uniform, his cracked hands, and the dirty water still spreading across the marble.
Then he said,
“They ruined their own lives the moment they thought kindness was optional.”
Within minutes, security escorted the executives upstairs.
Their badges were disabled.
Their contracts were suspended.
But Samuel wasn’t happy.
He looked at William with fear instead of relief.
“Son… if you found me, then they will find you too.”
William frowned.
“Who?”
May you like
Samuel’s lips trembled.
“The people who burned that factory.”
