Dhevaprom: Kwanruetai

Chapter 8

Pakarat didn't want to attend tonight's charity event, but as he saw Khun Ying Ampai descending the staircase, dressed elegantly in a sequined Thai silk dress with a diamond necklace, he realized he had no choice. She looked every bit the part of a dignified society lady.

He rushed to her side, gently offering his arm. "Mother, why are you coming down? You're still recovering."

Tonight's event was hosted by a close friend of hers, with all proceeds going to an orphanage.

"I must go, Pak. I can't disappoint Khun Ying Pranom."

"But you're still unwell, Mother."

Khun Ying Ampai had caught a cold the week before, and Pakarat had taken her to the doctor for an injection. She'd spent most of the week resting in her room.

"I'm feeling much better, and not attending is simply out of the question. Why aren't you dressed yet?"

"I wasn't planning to go, actually. I thought of sending a gift and donation through my assistant."

As chairman of PG Engineering, the family company his mother co-founded, Pakarat had been buried in work. Unlike his two older brothers, who had chosen military careers like their father, Pakarat was the only one who ventured into the business world. Both of his brothers now held high ranks and important positions within the armed forces.

"That's not an option, Pak. If you won't go, I'll go alone."

"If you're going, then I'll come with you. Just give me a minute to freshen up."

He hurried upstairs to shower. His room was on the left, with his mother's in the center. Pakarat had lived in this house since birth, a choice made by his mother to shield him from his father's behaviors.

General Pinit was well-known in social circles. Despite having a beautiful wife like Khun Ying Ampai, he had a penchant for beauty queens, using his wealth and influence to add them to his collection of mistresses. Khun Ying Ampai had chosen to stay above these issues. As her husband's affairs grew, she had persuaded him to build this house for her, leaving the "Pink Palace" entirely under his care. The general gave his children a large piece of land on the city outskirts for their future homes. Her two older sons, Phakphum and Phakphiphat, had initially lived with her but moved out after marrying and starting families of their own.

Of all her children, Khun Ying Ampai was closest to her third son. When their father passed away twenty years ago from a heart attack, instead of peace, his mistresses emerged, demanding support. She endured these indignities, having already suffered her husband's infidelity while he was alive, and was now faced with more than a hundred mistresses seeking a share of the family wealth. Although most of the inheritance was originally from Khun Ying Ampai's side, the court battle dragged on for ten years.

Though they ultimately won, with none of the mistresses receiving any inheritance, the trial brought great distress to Pakarat. Newspapers unearthed every detail of his father's life, and he did everything he could to protect his mother from further pain. Once the trial ended, peace finally returned to their lives, and Pakarat, the closest of her children, dedicated himself to his mother's happiness.

Soon after, Pakarat returned downstairs in a navy suit, looking sharp and handsome. People often remarked that he'd inherited his father's best features—a tall, athletic build and a deeply tanned complexion. His regular morning runs kept him in shape, while his naturally well-proportioned face gave him a distinguished look. Yet, he frequently bore a serious expression.

Among his colleagues at the company, he was seen as strict and disciplined, openly correcting mistakes. But his dedication and hard work had earned their respect. Since he joined the business, the company had seen a notable increase in profits.