The Tycoon's Odyssey

Despite the seeming success, Suri knew the challenge of bypassing Pears' firewall had been a global failure, and the world's reaction was anything but trivial.

The implications were enormous. While USL celebrated as Pear was deeply tied economically to USL, nations like the Soviet Republic, Daxia, and Great Royal Sakura were in turmoil.

The Soviet Republic, in particular, was reeling, as the impenetrable firewall threatened to derail their plans. The ripple effects were clear.

Thinking this, Suri for a moment thanked God.

Evan's misfortune had inadvertently become a global cold war, and with Evan in the spotlight, he could be in grave danger.

As Suri pondered these geopolitical shifts, the car came to a halt. Her bodyguard's voice interrupted her thoughts. "We've arrived."

The convoy rolled through the grand entrance of The Barret Manor, its opulence immediately apparent. The expansive estate, a symbol of the Barret family's long-standing nobility, stretched out before her. As Suri stepped out, she was met by the steely gaze of her father, Nathaniel Barret.

Nathaniel Barret, the patriarch of the Barret family, exuded an aura of sharp authority and cold calculation. His presence was commanding, his demeanor unyielding. Suri felt the weight of his gaze, a silent testament to the expectations he held.

Meeting his eyes with equal resolve, Suri did not falter. The tension between them was palpable, a clash of wills that filled the air.

Nathaniel finally broke the silence with a measured sigh. "So, you are willing to come back after so long."

Suri met his gaze unflinchingly, her voice steady. "Yes, Father. I'm here."

Nathaniel led Suri into his study, a room lined with bookshelves and adorned with dark wood furnishings that reflected his austere nature. He gestured for her to sit as he took his place behind a large mahogany desk.

"Sit," Nathaniel ordered, his voice edged with authority. "We need to discuss why you've returned and, more pressing, why you broke off your engagement with Richard."

Suri took a seat, her composure slowly fracturing under the weight of her father's scrutiny. "Richard was never right for me," she began, her voice initially controlled but quickly rising in intensity. "He is a playboy, a scum who only sought to leverage our family's name for his gain."

Nathaniel's eyebrows arched in surprise. "Scum? Richard has been a loyal ally to our family, and it's not unusual for powerful families to have... certain arrangements."

Nathaniel paused with a slight cough and spoke, "He has not yet married, and it's acceptable for us to have some flexibility in these matters."

The nonchalance in Nathaniel's tone was the last straw for Suri. Her anger ignited, and she slammed her fist on the desk, the impact echoing through the room. Her eyes flashed with a frosty fury, and a palpable killing intent filled the space, startling Nathaniel.

"What flexibility?" Suri's voice was icy, her words cutting through the air. "Richard's actions were vile. He was deceitful and cruel, and I will not be shackled to someone like that. I refuse to be part of a marriage that is nothing more than a transaction, especially with a man who spends each day with each new woman."

"Do you think we women are your plaything that you can use and discard just like you did with Mom.."

Nathaniel's demeanor shifted, a rare moment of surprise crossing his stern face. He had never seen his daughter display such intense anger. The sheer force of her reaction made him reconsider his stance, the weight of her words settling heavily in the room.

NovelFire-unofficial-chapter

"Suri..." he began, but the strength of her resolve was undeniable. For the first time, Nathaniel found himself reassessing his daughter's choices and the principles she was willing to fight for.

"Suri…I…"

"Shut up…" Suri glared at him coldly.

The atmosphere of the room fell suddenly and Suri's expression became hideous…

"You fucking men can play every day but if a woman does the same thing then she is a whore and for streets. Now tell me Father, will you marry a woman who sleeps with every man he meets and changes partners every day…"

Nathaniel choked hearing her daughter's words. Still being a prideful man, he tried to say it was not the same but he feared that if he said that, Suri might get up and slam the table upon him.

Seeing Nathaniel keeping quiet, Suri decided to press further and pinned down her father without giving her a chance to refute.

"Whether it is a man or woman, both parties should learn some decency. If you want to be a playboy or whore there is no need to marry and keep on doing but since he was engaged to me, how did that bastard dare to look at another woman. We were just friends during childhood, otherwise, if I had any feelings and he did this, I might have made sure to crush that vile thing."

The more Suri spoke, the more angry she became.

What she hated the most, was when someone forced her to do something against her wish. It would be one thing if what she was forced to do was a pressing thing for betterment of society but all these people see were gain or gain…

After spitting all her frustration, she turned towards Nathaniel, "And since you weren't there when I needed the most. You weren't there when your daughter was bullied and was on the verge of giving her life, and you who just killed your heart for the gain of your family to the point of sacrificing your wife and daughter, you have the least right to say and decide about my life…"

"SHUT UP!"

This time, Nathaniel didn't take it lying and screamed.

"You don't know anything Suri so stop accusing me of leaving your mother when she was the one who ran away."

"That's because you cheated behind your back so stop behaving as Saint, "Suri screamed and jumping up, pulled out her seat and threw it at Nathaniel who managed to avoid it at the last second.