Chapter 2: The Son They Never Mentioned
The entire street became silent.
Victor stared at me as if he was trying to figure out whether I was joking.
Then he laughed.
“Your parents?””
He looked at the ruined cart.
“You expect me to believe that?””
My mother stepped closer to me.
“Daniel, please don’t make trouble.””
Even after everything he had done, she was worried about me.
That was my mother.
Always protecting others.
Even when she was the one who needed protection.
I looked at her paint-covered hands.
“Mom, why didn’t you tell me?””
She lowered her eyes.
“Because you were busy.””
My father nodded.
“You worked so hard to build your company. We didn’t want to become another problem for you.””
A painful silence filled the street.
Another problem.
That was how they saw themselves.
I swallowed my anger.
“You could never be a problem.””
Victor rolled his eyes.
“This is touching, but I don’t have time for family drama.””
He pointed at the cart.
“This thing is leaving today.””
I turned toward him.
“You destroyed their property.””
Victor shrugged.
“It was an old cart.””
“It was their livelihood.””
He smiled.
“Then they should have found something better.””
Something inside me broke.
Not because he insulted the cart.
Because he insulted everything my parents had sacrificed.
I stepped closer.
“Do you know how many mornings my father woke up at four in the morning to prepare food?””
Victor said nothing.
“Do you know how many years my mother worked until her hands hurt just so I could have opportunities she never had?””
The crowd became quieter.
My father touched my shoulder.
“Daniel…”
But I continued.
“You see an old cart.””
I pointed toward my parents.
“I see the people who gave me everything.””
Victor’s expression changed slightly.
For the first time, he looked uncertain.
Then his arrogance returned.
“Listen carefully,” he said.
“I own several buildings around this area. I have connections. You should think carefully before making enemies.””
I looked at him.
“Do you know my name?””
He laughed.
“Should I?””
I took out my phone.
“I think you should.””
I made one call.
The person on the other end answered immediately.
“Mr. Carter?””
“Yes,” I said.
“I need every document related to Hale Development’s recent projects.””
Victor’s face changed.
The name seemed familiar to him.
I ended the call and looked back at him.
“You destroyed my parents’ cart because you thought they had no power.””
I paused.
“But you never asked who their son was.””
My mother looked worried.
“Daniel, please. We don’t want revenge.””
I turned to her.
“This isn’t revenge, Mom.””
I looked at the broken cart.
“This is respect.””
Victor stepped forward.
“You think money makes you untouchable?””
I held his gaze.
“No.””
I glanced at my parents.
“Integrity does.””
For the first time, Victor looked uncomfortable.
Then his phone rang.
He answered while keeping his eyes on me.
“Yes?””
His expression slowly changed.
The confidence disappeared.
“What do you mean the contract was signed?””
Everyone watched as his face became pale.
He looked at me.
“You…”
I remained silent.
The call continued.
Then Victor lowered the phone slowly.
“You’re Daniel Carter?””
I didn’t answer.
Because the crowd had already started whispering.
People were searching my name.
People were realizing who I was.
The quiet son who never talked about his success.
The man behind one of the fastest-growing companies in the country.
Victor took a step back.
But the worst part for him was not discovering my identity.
It was discovering why I had called.
Because the documents he feared were not about money.
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They were about something he had hidden for years.
And when the truth came out, everyone would finally learn what kind of man Victor Hale really was.
