Chapter 9: Sweep Clean Relationships

Edric advised: "The James family highly values the individual capabilities of each person. If you still had your former status, or if the Science - Technology Dream still belonged to the Nicholas family, you wouldn't need to say a word; there would be a bunch of people proactively calling you, expressing their desire to attend this ritual."

 

"Currently, no one will pay attention to you like this, so you should save this effort."

 

Richard let out a bitter laugh: "If they don't want to pay attention, that's their business, but whether or not to inform them is ours."

 

"Moreover, I also want to see what kind of attitude the James family will have towards me."

 

"Haizzz, if you want to call, then just call."

 

The first number Richard dialed was the mobile number of Mr. Darius, the head of the James family.

 

"Hello? Who is this?"

 

"Uncle, it's your nephew Richard."

 

Darius hesitated for a moment: "Is this Richard? Do you need anything from me?"

 

"I wanted to inform you that in five days, it will be my younger brother's birthday, so I want to organize a memorial service for him, and I would like to invite you to attend."

 

The other end of the phone was silent for a few seconds.

 

"Richard, it's not that this old man doesn't need kinship, but I really cannot attend this memorial service."

 

"Why is that?"

 

"Quite simply, you surely know how your younger brother died.He carried a huge debt on his shoulders and jumped off a building to commit suicide. The James family is currently in our best phase of development; how can we be associated with such a bad incident? Do you know how much impact this news, if leaked to the media, could have on the James family?"

 

Richard shook his head, softly saying: "Uncle, if you say you won't attend, then from now on, our Nicholas family will no longer have any relationship with the James family."

 

"Huh? Are you threatening me?"

 

"Not at all, I'm just wanting to understand your attitude towards our Nicholas family."

"Attitude? Alright, then I'll make it clear to you, we of the James family aren't particularly missing the Nicholas family! It's best to sever ties now, to avoid the James family having to help you pay off debts later."

 

As soon as Darius finished speaking, he directly hung up the phone, his attitude extremely resolute.

 

Edric shook his head: "I already told you, why bother with such uninteresting matters?"

 

Richard let out a bitter laugh: "It's okay, I'll continue to call my sister and brother-in-law to ask them a bit."

 

Serena approached: "Let me call them, you and they aren't close, if I invite them they might agree to come."

 

Richard smiled and nodded.

 

Serena called Marsha.

 

"Hello Serena, what's up?"

 

"Big sister, it's like this, in five days…"

 

After listening to Serena explain everything, Marsha sneered: "Serena, are you joking with me? You want me to attend the memorial ceremony for the brother of that useless man from your family? Stop causing a scene.Furthermore, do you not know that in five days, the area along Willow Creek will be relocated and demolished for redevelopment? By then, the entire area will be sealed off, and you won’t even be allowed near the riverbank, let alone hold a memorial ceremony."

 

"Take my advice and divorce that loser as soon as possible. Currently, I have a lot of information on men of good quality, always ready to introduce someone to you. Why should you suffer following him?"

 

The more Serena listened, the angrier she became, refusing to speak further and hanging up the phone.

 

After taking a few deep breaths, she said: "Eldest sister said that, but she also reminded me that in five days, the area along Willow Creek will be demolished and relocated for redevelopment, leaving no way to hold the memorial ceremony."

 

Richard calmly said: "No problem, I have arranged everything."

 

"Everything is arranged?” Edric sneered: "Richard, while you have not been bad in the past two days, changing my opinion of you, one must face reality. You cannot just say anything you like.The demolition and relocation for redevelopment are decided by the Urban Construction Bureau, what capability do you have to say it’s arranged? Fine, since things are this way, I won’t go in five days either, to avoid losing face then."

 

"Why can't father help Richard a bit?" Serena’s tone was slightly impatient.

 

"Father has been very supportive. If not, he would have kicked him out of the house already!" Edric sighed: "Actually, I would also like to attend, but in this situation, tell me how can I? By then, even getting near the river will not be allowed, not to mention the risk of being detained.

 

So, let’s consider this matter concluded."After saying this, Edric stood up and went to his room.Serena looked at Richard, comforting: "Don’t be sad, my father isn’t targeting you."

 

"I know."

 

Richard then continued to make phone calls: "I’ll continue to call others to ask."

 

"Hello, brother."

 

"Is that the little one?"

 

"It’s me, Richard."

 

"Oh, brother-in-law is at home?"

 

After making forty calls, Richard received the same response: Not attending.

 

For Richard, who is currently penniless and without influence, nobody paid him any attention, all ignoring him.

 

Richard sighed deeply.

 

"Now I understand everyone's attitude."

 

Serena came over: "Richard, don’t be sad, at least you still have me to accompany you. Don’t worry, I will definitely attend Andrew’s memorial ceremony in five days.Even if the site is being demolished and relocated at that time, we can still stand a bit farther away to hold the ceremony."

 

Richard felt a bit comforted.

 

He looked at Serena and softly said: "Serena, you are the only reason I stay at the James’ house.

From today onwards, except for you, everyone from the James family has nothing to do with me."Serena smiled brightly, intentionally asking: "And how about my parents?"

 

Richard thought: "Out of respect for you, I will pay attention to father's business, but this is also my final stance."

 

Serena considered these words spoken only in his anger.

 

But only Richard knew deep down, this was truly his decision.

 

He also realized today the attitude of everyone else; henceforth, except for Serena, he no longer needed to pretend to be happy for anyone from the James family.

 

At the James family's office building, on the fourth floor.

 

While Edgar was busy at his computer, elder sister Marsha approached, saying: "Wow, even a lazy person like you is working?"

 

Edgar grinned: "Isn't this to prepare for the project at Willow Creek's bank in five days?"