Runemaster in the Last Days novel Chapter 666

But the world has changed.

The Carson Family could no longer afford to lose any chess pieces in their hands. Everyone who had some values would be squeezed until all of their worth was gone. Everything for the sake of the 'family.'

To be honest, Stephen was disgusted by it.

However, he also knew that he could not get away from the Carson Family back then. They have various connections and it would be difficult to get away from them. Besides, where does he want to hide?

It was impossible.

He could only be one of the 'heirs' and managed business well for the Carson Family while protecting his sister.

Under his protection, Sophia didn't have to touch these dirty things.

Unfortunately, things didn't go in accordance to what he wanted.

The world changed and what awaited them was nothing more than the fact that it became increasingly difficult for Stephen to protect his sister.

His father?

It was already good enough if his father didn't hand Sophia over to their grandfather in a silver platter. His father's filial piety was extremely strong, so strong that Stephen didn't understand.

At the same time, Stephen knew that he couldn't be like this father of his.

The person he cared for the most is his sister followed by his father.

As for that grandfather of his?

Stephen couldn't really bring himself to truly care for that man who only saw his descendants as nothing more than chess pieces on top of a chess board.

If they were useful, they would be favored.

If they were useless?

Then they just had to wait for the day when they would be thrown out or having their entire value squeezed without anything left.

"Stephen." Stephen's father looked at his son who had a calm face and frowned. "Without the Carson Family, it's not possible for you…"

"Father, I know."

He knew but he couldn't agree to it.

Even if he knew that they have gained a lot of privilege by staying in the Carson Family, Stephen could not bring himself to truly stay loyal to the family and dedicated everything to his grandfather.

He's a selfish person. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

It was precisely because he's selfish that he didn't think he would be able to sacrifice everything for the sake of other people.

These people might be related to him by blood, but the real connection between them was extremely faint. So faint that Stephen would not think it was strange if they suddenly stab him from the back.

Because he himself had no expectation for them.

Unless there was someone who protected them, the Carson Family would not even be willing to let them grow up and would rather throw them away like trash. That was what had happened to some people who ended up unable to do anything back then.

Stephen's father's face turned pale.

He looked at his son's departing back and silently lowered his head.

There was nothing that he could do.

This is the cruel reality of someone who had lived in this cruel and cold family for decades.

…

While Stephen and Sophia were still living well in the Carson Family, the stiff atmosphere made Sophia realized that the family was different from before.

She didn't need her brother to explain it to her.

From the very beginning, Sophia knew very well that it was impossible for the Carson Family to place their bets on her and her brother all the time.

With so many people greedy to advance and take the dominant position in the family, how could it be possible for them to stay quiet and watch as Stephen and Sophia were advancing step by step?

They should have their own plans.

But Sophia didn't think that it was strange and chose not to care about it. The resources from the Carson Family was very scarce and she herself knew that she would be too naive if she thought that she could rely on it for the rest of her life.