David's Side Story: From the inception of his memories, David grasped one fundamental principle: emotions were the most burdensome aspect of this world. Adhering to his own life principles, he embarked on navigating the intricacies of human existence after assuming the management rights of the Winston Group from Mr. Winston Senior. As he had grown up amidst death, his mindset differed from those who had grown up in well-lit classrooms in his home country. He couldn't fathom those men and women who shed tears over love, nor did he comprehend the pursuit of parental approval by engaging in activities they disliked. He had witnessed countless disputes and even bloodshed over interests and money. He had witnessed a mother, who was on the brink of death, shield her child in her arms while enduring all the pain herself. He also witnessed instances where individuals sent their children away for a morsel of food. He had known of a mother who endured inappropriate behavior in nigh
Rebecca was already abroad when David received updates about her. Jessica had made David deploy a subordinate to keep Rebecca abroad. At the time, David found the situation amusing. He couldn't comprehend how everyone's attention was always on Daniel.Even the two elderly grandpas of the Winston family did the same. One threatened David with a rebellious and immature matter. Meanwhile, the other gave everything to train David. He even prevented David from interacting with Rebecca, whom he saw as a scourge. This grandpa even used his many years of raising Daniel as leverage to force Daniel into marrying Rebecca.Unfortunately, the old fart never could've imagined Daniel would be resistant toward Rebecca. So what if Daniel and Rebecca were childhood friends?Rebecca didn't matter to Daniel. Instead, he valued Jessica, who had suddenly reunited with the Brown family. She was horrid and always pretended to be pitiful for attention.However, David was content and felt more at
As David expected, Rebecca gave off an entirely different energy than two years ago when she couldn't even afford meals.Rebecca's head always hung low back then, but there was a brightness in her eyes now. She would never again devote herself to David's incompetent little brother like before.Yet, David felt slightly disappointed in her because she was still the same tamed sheep. Although she now wore a defensive armor over her heart, she still couldn't change her meek nature.Rebecca was still shaking and nervous when punishing others that wronged her. She did the same to Jessica, who had paid others to cause trouble.David did what Jessica asked of him, but he did it half-heartedly, like when he was abroad. He fulfilled her task without doing exactly what she wanted. After all, how could he kill someone when they lived in a lawful society?He felt that scaring Rebecca was enough. Little did he expect Jessica to have other plans. She paid someone to defame Rebecca when the lat
David never thought he'd ever fall for Rebecca.He assumed he'd at most be interested in her. Rebecca was so kind to others that it was almost hilarious in David's eyes. She behaved like a saint who reacted to malicious people with empathy. She believed God would give them a chance to turn a new leaf. However, when people were spared at one's expense, those people would only end up treating others worse than before. The Brown family was an example of this.Rebecca refused to use the Johnson family's resources to crush the Browns. She respected the Browns for raising her all those years. But how did the Browns repay her kindness?They were physically aggressive toward her and tried to kill her several times. They even nearly got the Johnson family involved.What would've happened if Rebecca's biological parents weren't the Johnsons? How would she have survived all those attacks that occurred time and time again?It was stupid not to crush an enemy when one had an influential
After that, David grew attached to Rebecca.David initially kept her by his side because the game was still afoot. He wanted to see how much Daniel was willing to sacrifice for Rebecca. So, he took a gamble on her life to see whether it would lead to the end of Daniel's.However, he never anticipated Rebecca to show her strength at that moment. She brought him down with her as she jumped off the cliff and into the deep, bottomless lake. That abruptly reminded him of the various individuals he had met. Some killed others so they could survive. Others sacrificed their lives to ensure David lived.David often found the latter stupid and amusing. While courage was highly valued by most, a courageous person would still be a fool if they helped others at the cost of their own life.He believed human nature should be dark and vile. He also told Rebecca that. David had done many evil deeds, but it wasn't because his mother abandoned him. It also wasn’t because of how the Winstons trea
David never imagined Rebecca would return after fleeing from him. He couldn't tell if he felt more amused or furious back then. Or maybe he was overwhelmed by an indescribable feeling that he never cared about before.He wasn't entirely sure.Plus, his wound was infected, so he had no time to consider such things. In the following days, he would often think about that night for no reason. He recalled laying under the stars while Rebecca sat close to the fire before the cave entrance. She was visibly thin, yet it felt as if she was invincible.Nobody would step all over her despite her sitting quietly in the corner. As she gazed into the brilliant starry sky, nobody—not even her—knew she was the brightest star there was.…David awoke to the sight of Rebecca the next day.The sun's rays shined onto her shoulders like a curtain made of glistening gold. That sight was enough to sway David, who never believed in God. He suddenly understood why people he believed to be stupid exis
Rebecca saw a white ceiling and heard beeping from medical equipment when she awoke.A sanitizer smell stung her nostrils, and it took her a while to adjust before she looked toward her side. Sunlight shone into the room as Rebecca slowly gained consciousness. She recalled her situation and realized that David, whom she had called a lunatic, had passed away. He had even died in her arms.She had watched as Kane buried David. From then on, she stopped fearing someone would abduct her, forcefully tie her up, or prevent her from seeing her family again.The skies outside were a calming blue with fluffy white clouds floating by. The clouds moved so slowly that they seemed still.Rebecca wondered if everything had finally ended."Are you awake, Ms. Johnson?" A nurse had just returned to the room. Her lips curved up when she saw Rebecca leaning against the headboard. "I thought you were going to sleep for a little longer. Your family was looking after you. Your timing is unfortunate
Rebecca started her discharge process once Nate returned. She felt uneasy staying in the hospital despite having a good view from the window. Plus, she disliked the sanitizer scent in the air. She wanted to go home.Nate acted quickly. He could tell Rebecca wasn't in a good mood and needed proper rest. Rebecca had asked him to bring her home. The doctor also stated she didn't need to remain hospitalized since her health was stable. Nate figured recovering at home would be the same. So, he brought Rebecca to the Johnson family's villa in Fairport.There were more people there, which made looking after her more convenient. Besides, it was about to be the New Year. It wouldn't be right to send Rebecca back to her apartment, where she lived alone.Not to mention, it was best if Rebecca stayed with her family after all she had recently endured. Nate had seen the news about David's death online. So, the other Johnson family members likely knew about it, too.Even the toughest man