Chasing Dreams (Discontinued)

Chapter 262: The Rich Lion

"I need you to become the man you were always meant to be."

Seth frowned, staring. His father was an astute man, prim and proper. He kept his gray hair combed over and held down with thick hair gel.

"You want me to be like you." Seth assumed.

He saw all the signs. Seth had an uncanny resemblance to his father. He had his well-sculpted face, sturdy voice, and steely stare.

But I have my mother's eyes. Seth told himself. His mother's cyan blue eyes were one of the few things Seth took pride in. He was grateful he didn't inherit his father's obsidian eyes.

But Sarah did. Seth frowned. Sarah was the polar opposite of him. She resembled their late mother Samantha. She had a small face with high cheekbones and a priceless smile. People often gravitated to Sarah because they found her approachable. While most saw Seth and lowered their heads in fear.

Sarah was born lucky. Seth often used to say. There was a time when he relished seeing people grovel under him. But Seth Vermillion no longer felt that way. When people turned their heads Seth felt shame. He wanted to become a better man but didn't know how.

Samwell glared. He had eyes as sharp as spikes. "No, I want you to be better."

That isn't saying much. Seth thought. You're a piece of shit.

"Look at you." Samwell gestured. "You reek of alcohol and smell like you crawled out of a sewer."

Seth looked to the right. He saw himself in the mirror looking disheveled. Hairs from his growing beard were sprouting from his skin like weeds. His once steely blue eyes were puffy and red with inebriation. He could hardly stand straight without focusing on doing it.

He has a point. Seth frowned. I can't keep doing this.

"Do you want to be a drunkard for the rest of your life?" Samwell asked.

Seth couldn't tell if his father wanted a serious answer. "Only if it means I get to stay as far away as possible from Michael."

Samwell smacked him. The slap hurt more than Seth expected it to. His cheek burned with pain and embarrassment.

"Don't test me." Samwell jabbed his finger inches from his face. "I'm sick and tired of your rebellious behavior. It's unbecoming of an heir and I won't have any more of it."

"You're a lion of Vermillion, act like it," Samwell ordered. His voice clang like steel clashing against steel, forcing Seth to unintentionally straighten his posture.

In his youth, Samwell Vermillion was a kinder man. His wife Samantha brought out all his best traits allowing him to bolster the reputation of his family to when it peaked in Sawyer's era. With Samwell's unique powers and Samantha's guidance, they came up with a financial scheme to push the Vermillion family's wealth to the limit making them the richest family in the world.

Samantha's intention was to use their amassed wealth to help the impoverished cities. However, because of her unexpected death, the accumulated riches ended up funding multiple Hero Association projects instead.

Seth wondered if those stories were true. Part of him wanted to believe deep down his father wasn't as corrupt as the rumors led him to believe. However, his father is a politician, corruption is in his nature.

"Besides, Michael is the least of your worries. You should be grateful that he didn't have you arrested for treason. He's even offered to pardon your sister if you continue to comply."

Seth touched his chest. It's not like I have a choice. He made a blood contract with Michael he couldn't betray him even if he wanted. As soon as Michael is made aware of Seth's betrayal his heart would stop.

"Sarah isn't going to accept that," said Seth. "You know how stubborn she can be. Once she's made a choice nothing will stop her from fulfilling her duty."

"I wonder about that," Samwell said in a low voice. "She's a cripple regardless of how powerful her meta-ability might be she can't utilize it to its full potential."

Sarah's an Excalibur user. Seth wanted to say but ultimately kept that to himself. The less his father knew the better.

"In the worst case scenario, I'll just have Astrid or Janus apprehend her." Samwell sighed.

Seth frowned. His father always sounded tired. He wasn't sure if it was because of age or because he couldn't be bothered with the intriacies of war. Seth once asked his father what he thought of battle and he told him he found it utterly boring. If it didn't act as a charade to bolster the Vermillion family's reputation then he didn't care for it.