Damn the legacy
897 Words
THE SEET’S MANSION
Seated before Mr. Seet, the CEO of Seet Industries, were his two sons, Preston and Damon Seet. Over the years, the company’s reputation had skyrocketed, thanks to the combined efforts of the brothers. Yet, the family now faced an unsettling crisis. With inflation hitting the economy hard, the company desperately needed new revenue streams. They needed to acquire more companies—needed more money.
Though their family legacy had always demanded sacrifices, the brothers had reached their limits. In the past, they’d done the unthinkable: marrying girls chosen by their grandparents at 21, divorcing them once the family’s financial objectives were achieved. It was a cruel tradition justified by profit, but this time, both Preston and Damon agreed—they wouldn’t jeopardize anyone else’s lives for the sake of Seet Industries.
Enough was enough.
“We need to endorse more schools,” Mr. Seet’s voice broke the heavy silence in the room. “We need to invite more schools into our organization. If we don’t show the government that we’re helping communities, they’ll come down on us harder than ever with their fines.”
Damon leaned forward, his voice sharp with frustration. “Isn’t that what the government always does? They fine us as if we’ve committed some personal offense!”
Before anyone could stop him, Damon shot to his feet. “Dad, I’m done with this! We already have dozens of schools under us. We can’t keep doing this!”
“Sit down, Damon!” Mr. Seet barked, his voice echoing across the room. “I haven’t heard your opinion yet, and I won’t tolerate disrespect!”
Reluctantly, Damon sat back down, his eyes flicking impatiently to his watch.
Preston watched the tension mount, his own temper simmering just below the surface. The unfair treatment Damon endured infuriated him, and the more he stayed silent, the more his anger grew. Finally, he broke his silence.
“Dad, it’s high time you stopped treating Damon like a child,” Preston said firmly. “He’s done so much for you, for this company. We both have—”
“I need more,” Mr. Seet interrupted, his tone cold and ungrateful. “You haven’t done enough to satisfy me. I want more money pumped into this company. No excuses.”
Preston slammed his hand on the table. “We deceived innocent girls just to pump money into this stupid company! We married young women against their will!”
“That was for your grandfather, Preston—not for me,” Mr. Seet retorted. “And this time, you won’t be marrying anyone. Instead, you’ll focus on securing new partnerships with private schools. I want contracts with reputable institutions: elementary schools, secondary schools—I don’t care.”
He pulled out a document from his drawer and placed it in front of them. On the first page was a photograph of a newly built elementary school on the outskirts of the city.
“This school has five stars, boys. Five stars,” Mr. Seet said with a smirk. “All we need is the right words and a signed contract to acquire it. Once we own this school, we can fund it, transform it into an expensive private institution, and attract wealthier clients.”
Damon frowned as he scanned the report.
“This is just a small elementary school,” he said, his voice low but steady. “They’re obviously doing well on their own and don’t need our help. Dad, this school serves a small town. The people there can afford its current fees, but if we raise the costs, how will the residents send their children to school?”
“Be quiet, Damon. No one asked you,” Mr. Seet snapped.
But Damon didn’t back down this time. He slammed his hand on the desk, his voice trembling with rage. “I won’t be quiet, Father! I’m done with your manipulation, your sick games! Aren’t you tired of using people? Aren’t you tired of ruining lives just to get what you want?”
His voice cracked with emotion as he continued. “You’ve used us enough. You’ve used me enough. I refuse to be your pawn any longer!”
Damon grabbed the document from the desk and ripped it in two. The name of the school, Fidelity Kids, was split down the middle, each half fluttering to the ground.
“I’m so done with this!” Damon declared, storming toward the door.
“I’ll remove your name from the will!” Mr. Seet roared, his voice cold and venomous. “I’ll give everything to your brother if you walk out of this office!”
Damon froze, his hand on the door handle. Slowly, he turned back to face his father, his expression a mix of disbelief and anger.
“You can’t be serious…”
“If you step out of this office, Damon Seet,” his father said in a low, menacing tone, “you will lose your place in this company. You will lose everything. Sit back down, do as I say, and let peace reign.”
For a moment, Damon stood still, his mind racing. But then he squared his shoulders, the fire in his eyes blazing brighter than ever.
“Damn your company,” he spat, his voice full of defiance.
Without another word, he slammed the door shut behind him.
- Writer
