Seriously, How Did He Win My Heart

Alana knocked at the door. Inside, there came the gentle voice of their father, "Come in."

They looked at each other and both said to themselves that it was only their mother who could pacify their father. Julian got furious with Alaric just now. After Emelia soothed him, they could tell that Julian had calmed down from his voice.

Perhaps, this was what people said - "Everybody has their conqueror."

Noticing that Alana and Alaric came in, Emelia then got out of the room. She had mollified his husband, and the rest was the business among the three of them.

Julian felt angry as he saw his son. However, his son was standing in front of him with his baby girl, and thus he couldn't keep looking stony-faced which might frighten his daughter.

Alana spoke first, "Dad, we wish to confess something."

"Have a seat." Julian gestured at the sofa in the study, asking them to sit, while he sat down on the leather chair in front of his desk.

"Alaric, you go first," Julian called his son with whom he was angry.

Alaric who was called froze and began to groan inside. How crafty his father was! Was he putting pressure through psychological warfare?

Actually, Alaric had intended to hide behind his elder sister during the conversation and incidentally state his own will in the end.

It didn't mean that he was a wuss. It was because his father was so angry with him that his father might cavil at whatever he said or did. He feared that it would exasperate his father due to his talking first, which might lead to failed talks tonight.

Hence, he intended to sit there, keeping silent and letting Alana speak.

Who knew that his father was such a cunning man who asked him to speak first? At this moment, Alaric's heart shot upwards into his throat.

Alana seemed not to be surprised about it. She turned and comforted his younger brother in a soft voice, "Alaric, now that dad says so, you go first."

"Since he decides to talk about this with us, he will definitely hear us out."

Julian could only look at his baby girl who said that he would hear them out. It gave him no chance to get furious with Alaric.

Ah, his daughter inherited his temperaments and thoughts perfectly, and she was able to be acutely aware of someone's intentions, stabilize her mood, and communicate with others in a tactful way. However, his son was not cunning at all and was unsuitable for doing business. Perhaps, others could easily swindle money from him.

And his daughter was tactful enough to deal with those cunning businessmen.

For example, she had known early that Julian would trouble Alaric, so she was not surprised at all when Julian called Alaric. At the same time, his son was astonished with his mouth wide open, and couldn't hide his emotions at all.

Julian could foresee how well his daughter would fit in the world of business. She was not even 18 years old yet. After she got more social experience, she would not be bad with his teaching. She might even be underestimated by her rivals, but then she could defeat them when they lowered their guard.

Thinking of this, Julian accepted his daughter as his successor again. In addition, he thought he had to take Alaric with him and teach him if he forced Alaric to take charge of his business. Nevertheless, seeing that Alaric was so reckless and could not control his mood, Julian believed his anger with Alaric could kill him soon.

He didn't want to die because he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Emelia. Thus, he'd rather choose Alana.

As he finally felt relieved, his son started to talk, "Dad, I know you have had high hopes for me since I was a child. And I'm sorry that I disappoint you. But I don't want to do something that I don't like and I am not good at. And I don't want to destroy your business as well..."

The Hughes Group represented Julian's years of effort. Alaric knew that he was not suitable for doing business. If he had to take charge of it, it wouldn't have a promising future.

After he finished, Alaric looked down, waiting for his father's anger. Since he was twelve, his father, both deliberately and unintentionally, taught him to how to run a business. But each time they just fell out. He never satisfied his father, even once, and they had been at odds with each other since then.

Julian looked at his depressed boy and recalled the words Emelia told him just now.

At the very beginning, they just wished their children could grow up healthy and happy, but now...

His son was not happy at all because he was forced to do many things he didn't like and wasn't good at. For a moment Julian felt very sorry for his son who looked glum.

Alaric had been in such a predicament for a few years. Julian felt regretful that Alaric didn't have a happy time during these years.

Therefore, he thought for a while and said, "Alaric, I want to say sorry to you."

Julian's apology made Alaric look up suddenly, and even Alana felt a bit surprised. They didn't expect that their father who was always domineering would say sorry to Alaric.

And Julian added, "You don't disappoint me. I feel disappointed with myself."

"I impose a perfect-son image on you which only exists in my imagination. If anyone should be blamed for my disappointment, it's me."

"I and your mother are proud of you, as well as your sister. Always."

"I'm regretful for forcing you for these years, making you not that happy. Sorry."

"Dad..." Alaric, such a big boy, lost his words at the moment, and his eyes turned red-rimmed.

For Alaric at this age, weeping was an act of cowardice, thus he didn't cry since long before. But now, he couldn't stop his tears due to his father's sincere apology and the understanding he always longed for. "From now on, just do whatever you love. Keep safe and healthy."

Julian said to his son like this. In the end, he added, looking serious, "But never annoy your mother. You'd better never do what she dislikes, or I will cast you out!"

His words made Alaric smile again, and the boy raised his hand and swore, "You can depend on my following it. You love my mom, so do I and Alana."

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Relieving from being the successor of the Hughes Group put a huge smile back on Alaric's face, and thus he began to speak naughtily. Julian couldn't see Alaric being like this, and he waved his hands, gesturing for his son to leave quickly.