Chapter 577: They Should Have Died
In the hospital room, Marshall lay motionless, staring blankly out the window.
It was over. Everything was ruined.
The years of scheming with his father-gone, all for nothing.
A few days ago, he had felt on top of the world, but now, he had fallen into hell.
He had always been weak, his health frail since childhood.
After all these years of suffering, he had finally gotten better, only to have his life fall apart now.
His future was bleak, and prison seemed to be the only place left for him.
Even if he could ever get out, how many years would he have to spend behind bars?
By the time he was free, he might be too old to enjoy any freedom.
The best years of his life were wasted, locked away.
He hadn't expected it. Never ever had he
thought it would be like this.
He had been played by Harrison.
No, deep down, he had already been suspicious.
Things were going far too smoothly, far too perfectly.
But he had ignored his instincts, clinging to a sliver of hope, convincing himself it was all just a coincidence.
After all, they had spent years preparing for this moment, waiting for their chance to outsmart Harrison.
How could he not be excited?
He had thought that even if Harrison had some tricks up his sleeve, they would be ready. They could handle anything.
But he had overestimated himself.
Even the three of them together couldn't match Harrison's cunning.
Now, he was left to wonder if his life had any meaning at all.
He had even tried to take his own life, but was stopped just in time.
It took courage to end it all, but the last attempt had drained him of everything he had.
He couldn't bring himself to try again.
Just when his despair reached its peak, the door to his room opened.
A police officer entered first, his voice neutral.
"Someone's here to see you."
He stepped aside, and in walked Ashton.
Marshall hadn't expected Ashton to come.
They had only exchanged a few words the last time they met, and they were hardly friends.
Ashton nodded politely at the officer and then made his way to Marshall's bedside, sitting down.
The officer remained by the door, keeping watch.
After all, Marshall was still a prisoner.
"How are you holding up?" Ashton asked.
Marshall gave him a puzzled look. "What are you doing here?"
At this point, he had no intention of being polite to the Thomson family.
He knew they wouldn't bother to help him.
"Well, first, I'm here on Lorenzo's behalf," Ashton said, his tone calm. "Second, I have a few questions for you."
Marshall sneered. "What does the visit matter to me? I don't need your sympathy, and I don't want to answer your questions."
Ashton's expression remained composed.
"Why bother with the attitude now? It's clear that Lorenzo doesn't want to see you, but when he heard about your suicide attempt, he couldn't stay indifferent. That's why I'm here. After all, he watched you grow up."
Marshall's anger flared. "You can't manipulate me with your emotions. I'm not really part of the Thomson family, and I know you and your father have always looked down on me and my dad. You've always wanted to get rid of us..."
Seeing him worked up, the officer moved toward him. but Marshall's energy quickly faded. He slumped back onto the bed, gasping for air.
"You've always looked at us with the worst of intentions," Ashton said quietly. "Your father came to the Thomson family at five years old. He and I are the same age, and we grew up together. It may not have been a close relationship, but we were family."
Though their bond had grown distant as they got older, Ashton could never deny that they had shared a home. In his mind, they were family.
"Of course, I admit that after growing up, I didn't pay much attention to Frankie or you. I had my own life, taking over the family business, handling everything. I barely had time to check on my own sister, let alone my cousins," Ashton continued, his voice steady.
"But that doesn't mean I rejected you or wanted to push you out. Neither I nor Lorenzo ever thought of abandoning you."
Lorenzo had always treated them with kindness.
"Let's not forget the lifestle Lorenzo gave you the medications and rare treatments you had access to. Your father could've easily bought them with money, but it was Lorenzo's network that got them to you," Ashton said. "Yet you two never appreciated what the Thomson family did for you."
Marshall remained silent, his jaw clenched.
"You're wrong to think we've ever seen you as outsiders," Ashton added.
"That's easy for you to say this," Marshall muttered bitterly. "If you didn't treat us like outsiders, why didn't you let us join the family business?"
"Because your health was poor," Ashton replied.
"Your mother passed away when you were young, and every time your father left your side, you would cry uncontrollably. That's why he couldn't be away from you. And even as you grew older, your health didn't improve enough for Lorenzo to trust anyone else to care for you. That's why he insisted your father stay with you."
The Thomson family can guarantee their comfortable life, so why should Frankie be the one running back and forth?
Besides, Frankie had brought this up himself at the time.
Little did he know, in the end, it would become a thorn in Frankie's heart.
"As time passed, your health improved slightly. Lorenzo said your father could come to the company for some hands-on experience, but your father refused." Ashton chuckled, shaking his head. "He must have thought Lorenzo was testing him, so he wouldn't dare accept. But Lorenzo was sincere all along."
Marshall clenched his lips tightly and fell silent.
Deep down, he knew Ashton was right.
But admitting it? He couldn't bring himself to do it.
"Do you remember the night Lorenzo asked you to play chess?" Ashton asked again, his gaze intense.
Marshall nodded slightly.
"That night, Lorenzo told you something," Ashton added.
Marshall strained to recall what Lorenzo had said, but the memory seemed elusive.
It had only happened not long ago.
"He said you were still young, with plenty of time ahead. He hoped you'd focus on meaningful things, not keep walking down a wrong path. He also said he could arrange for you to join the company, but you never trusted him."
As Ashton spoke, Marshall's memory stirred, faintly recalling the conversation.
But more than that, what lingered in his mind was what happened that night.
Lorenzo had played chess with him, mercilessly, crushing him almost every round.
Looking back now, it was clear that Lorenzo had wanted him to understand that he could never stand a chance against him and Harrison.
He chuckled bitterly.
Now, he understood now. He had lost.
"Ashton, there's no point in saying more now," Marshall closed his eyes, his voice weary. "We can't turn back."
Ashton's voice was steady, but his question hung in the air like a sharp blade. "I got a question.
When Milania ran away from home, you let her go on purpose, didn't you?"
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