Chapter 126: Conflict, Disagreement, and Resolution

When Katherine compared herself to a commodity and used the word sell to describe her mother’s actions, the atmosphere in the room grew unbearably tense.

Her father glanced at the woman who had been by his side for over twenty years, wanting to say something but ultimately remaining silent, bearing the heavy responsibility that wasn’t really his to bear.

In the Baylor Federation, there’s a saying: “When you must bow to life, don’t hesitate to let your knees and forehead touch the ground.”

Though pessimistic, life is like that—if you choose to compromise, you must do so completely.

Having lost his role as the family’s pillar, he instinctively sensed how quickly he was losing control, choosing silence in the conflict between the new generation’s rulers and a hidden rising force that might change the status quo.

After a pause, Katherine’s mother shook her head. “I never thought that way. I told you, Rom is a good young man.”

“He’s a little older than you, but he knows how to care for a girl. He has a steady job and his own place. You wouldn’t have to suffer like others. Isn’t that a good thing?”

Her voice shifted from hesitant to firm, growing louder.

From a certain perspective, Rom is indeed a suitable match for some families, but only some, and only certain people.

Katherine shook her head. “I never had faith in your choice. You’ve been wrong once—who knows if it won’t happen again?”

The first time was, of course, about Lynch. Katherine admitted her own mistakes, but this statement ignited the remorse-filled woman into anger.

“I’m not perfect. I couldn’t see so far ahead. I only knew you were struggling back then. Was it wrong for me to care for my daughter?”

Katherine shook her head. “Then why won’t you be wrong a second time?” Without giving her mother a chance to answer, she took control of the conversation more firmly yet calmly. “You told me never to sell my body for money, but today you’ve done something shameful. I thought our family was different.”

She stood up, her face showing disappointment for the first time. Most children believe their family is fundamentally different from others—until reality shatters that illusion.

Her words pressed on the couple, stirring a painful conscience.

In this neighborhood, parents fear their children going astray, yet they themselves set the worst example.

Katherine walked to the entrance. Outside, night was falling. No decent girl would leave home for the streets at this hour, making the couple anxious.

Her mother hurried to grab Katherine’s wrist. “Where are you going? You can’t go out!”

Katherine shrugged off her mother’s arm, glanced back with a smile, and said, “Since you’ve decided to sell me for a good price, why not make it even higher?”

Her tone was chilling. Her mother froze, unable to stop her as Katherine left the house.

Meanwhile, Lynch returned home after a social dinner. Earlier, George had called to say someone was interested in his land and wanted to talk.

At dinner, Lynch wasn’t interested in the other party or their offer.

Clearly, they either wanted to buy the land as a favor to George or for other reasons, but the price—1.6 million—was insultingly low.

That arrogant bastard offered a price so outrageously low, acting as if it were a gift.

Lynch knew better. Experience taught him a truth: those who look down on you won’t respect your efforts to change until you crush them utterly. Until then, any struggle seems weak and worthless.

So, Lynch politely ended the dinner early.

George apologized afterward, saying he hadn’t realized the buyer was unreasonable but promised to keep looking.

Around eight o’clock, Lynch was about to rest when the phone rang.

Surprised, he answered. It was Mr. Fox.

“Still up?” Fox’s voice was confident and strong. He’d been doing well lately. “An old man like me doesn’t sleep early. You’re missing out on life’s best moments, my friend.”

Lynch chuckled but didn’t continue the topic. Without social events, he usually slept early.

“Anything up?” he asked casually, expecting an invitation to relax.

Fox sensed something strange from Lynch’s brief laugh but dismissed it and got to the point. “Do you know a girl named Katherine?”

“Someone was looking for you on the street tonight. You know, I have some reputation now. The kids told me, and I brought her here. Maybe you’d be interested?”

Thanks to their growing business and recent crackdowns on money laundering in Sabin City, Fox’s territory had expanded, with more employees both official and streetwise.

Their partnership was seen as a classic example by some.

Later that night, a beautiful girl approached several street gang members asking if they knew Lynch or Fox, raising their suspicions.

They brought her to Fox, unsure of her identity and cautious.

Fox had previously ignored Lynch’s ex-girlfriend, missing this detail. Now, he just wanted to confirm if Lynch knew her.

Hearing this, Lynch glanced at the ring on his pinky, smiled, and sighed. “Arrange to bring her to my place…”

Over twenty minutes later, the exes met again. There was little awkwardness, only curiosity and exploration.

“You seem to be doing well!” Katherine didn’t express regret like a typical girl. She admired the lavish villa.

Lynch, in casual clothes, smirked and grabbed two glasses at the bar. “Juice? Wine? Coffee?” He poured some wine for himself. “I don’t use the grinder, so if you want coffee, you’ll have to make it yourself.”

“Wine, please. I don’t like coffee.” Katherine wandered around and sat on the leather sofa, running her hands over the plush cushions. “Life is tough enough—why not make it easier on yourself?”

Lynch walked over holding two glasses, handing one to her while keeping the other for himself.

After a simple toast, they each took a sip.

Maybe it was the effect of the alcohol, but Katherine quickly got to the point. “I didn’t expect you to change so fast. Got any secrets?”

Lynch thought seriously for a moment, then smiled strangely and lowered his voice. “If it’s a secret… I’m actually the illegitimate son of God. Don’t tell anyone.”

Katherine couldn’t help but laugh, then sighed and took another sip. “You always like to joke…”

She suddenly stopped talking, the mood turning a bit sad. “I said things I shouldn’t have. I’m sorry.”

Lynch was gracious. “I forgive you.”

They exchanged a glance—somewhat unfamiliar, yet strangely familiar.

“My mother plans to sell me to an idiot, on the condition my father gets a job.”

“If it’s selling anyway, I thought you’d give a higher price.”