Chapter 267

LUCAS POV

As I stormed out of my father's company, frustration boiled inside me like a pot that was ready to overflow. But before I could put too much distance between us, I heard his voice calling after me.

"Lucas, wait!"

I stopped in my tracks, turning reluctantly to face my father, who was striding towards me with a determined look in his eyes.

"What now?" I snapped, unable to keep the bitterness out of my tone. "Didn't I make my point clear."

"I won't tolerate you leaving our conversation like that. I'm your father and I demand some respect."

I scoffed, finding him ridiculous.

I folded my arms across my chest, my patience wearing thin. "What is it now, Dad? More lectures about how I'm ruining the family legacy?"

His features hardened, his voice taking on an edge of frustration. "You know why I'm doing this, Lucas. Ever since you started spending time at that palace, you've become more... defiant."

"I've always been defiant," I reasoned. "I'm just finally sick of all of your schemes and plans to get me to do something I don't want to do. This isn't my business, it's yours."

My father's gaze bore into mine, his expression a mix of disappointment and annoyance. "You're being naive, Lucas. You think you can just walk away from this family and everything it represents? You think you can abandon your responsibilities without consequences?"

"I'm not abandoning anything," I shot back, my tone firm. "I'm choosing my own path, one that doesn't involve being manipulated by you or anyone else."

"Let's finish this conversation inside, like adults," my father urged.

"No." I shook my head. "I'm not going back in there ever again. I'm done with all of this."

"Don't be immature. I raised you better than that. I don't want anyone to hear us argue."

"I don't care if they hear us! Let them hear!" I exclaimed, my voice echoing with defiance. "Maybe then they'll see the truth about what kind of person you really are."

My father sighed, trying to calm himself down. I didn't want to look at him anymore, I turned ready to get as far away from him as I could until he spoke again.

"Lucas... please," he implored, his voice softer now, tinged with frustration and desperation. Hearing him plead caught me off caught, making me stop in my tracks. "You're my son. Can't you see that I'm just trying to protect you?"

I stopped in my tracks, turning to face him once more. "Protect me? By forcing me into a life I don't want?"

"This is your life, whether you like it or not. People know you're a Busch. That name will follow you wherever you go. It's our family legacy. It's not only mine," he argued. "You need to realize the importance of our family's reputation, of securing our place in society."

"I don't care about our family's reputation!" I shot back, my voice rising with anger. "I care about Shana's safety, about being true to myself. I won't compromise who I am just to satisfy your thirst for power and influence. Why don't you just ask Edwin, and leave me be!"

"I don't want Edwin to run this company. He's not my son, but if I can't have you then I must choose him."

My father's words cut through the air like a knife, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. It was clear he was willing to sacrifice anything, even his own son, to maintain his grip on power.

"I won't be a pawn in your game," I stated firmly, my resolve hardening. "You can give the company to Edwin for all I care. I refuse to be manipulated any longer."

"Why are you doing this to me?"

"Me?" I questioned, raising my voice. "Why are you doing this to me? You've been doing it to me my whole life! Can't you just let me find my own passions in this life?"

My father's expression softened momentarily, a flicker of regret crossing his features before being replaced by frustration. "I just want what's best for you, Lucas. I want you to succeed, to be secure."

"But your idea of success isn't mine," I countered, my voice tinged with bitterness. "I don't want to spend my life chasing after money and power. I want to live a life that's true to myself, even if it means going against your wishes. I also have Shana to think about."

"You can't let Shana run your life forever, boy." My father shook his head. "Love is only harmful and Shana will get swept up in her own life and forget all about you one day."

I shook my head, unable to comprehend my father's perspective. "That's where you're wrong, Dad. Shana and I are a team. We support each other no matter what. And I won't let you belittle our relationship."

My father's eyes narrowed, his frustration evident. "You're just a fool, Lucas. You'll realize it one day when it's too late."

"Why are you hating on Shana and I's relationship now? I thought you approved?"

"I'm trying to help you, Lucas. Shana won't like you if you're a nobody in this life. You need money and power to be with a woman like her now, otherwise she'll leave you."

"Shana isn't materialistic like you. She loves me for who I am."

I could see the anger boiling beneath my father's facade, his words laced with bitterness and resentment. "You're blinded by your feelings for that girl, Lucas. You don't see the bigger picture."

"The bigger picture? You mean your twisted version of success?" I shot back, my frustration mounting. "I won't let you dictate who I should be or who I should love."

"You'll never understand. You'll never see that everything I'm trying to do is for your own good!"

"I understand perfectly," I retorted, my voice edged with defiance. "You're trying to control me, manipulate me into becoming someone I'm not. Well, I won't stand for it any longer."

My father's jaw tightened, his gaze hardening as he struggled to maintain his composure. "You're making a mistake, Lucas. You'll regret this decision one day."

"I won't regret standing up for what I believe in," I retorted, my resolve unwavering. "And I don't care if Edwin takes my place in the family business. I want nothing to do with it."

His face flushed with anger, my father's voice rose to fury. "Fine, Lucas! If that's how you want it, then so be it! I don't want to see you again until you come to your senses. Edwin will be taking over your responsibilities from now on."

"Good!" I exclaimed, throwing my hands up in the air. "I'm glad. I hope that you're happy with your decision. Don't drag me into this anymore. I'm finished."

With those words hanging in the air like a heavy fog, I turned on my heel and stormed off, my heart heavy with the weight of our shattered relationship.

As I walked away, I hoped that he would be finally finished with me. I wished that he wouldn't try to use me as a pawn in his games anymore for power and influence. And most importantly, I didn't want him to use Shana.

I wanted no part of him anymore.

Finally.