Chapter 4 Will

"Why?"

Sebastian spread his hands, looking up at Alexander in confusion.

Charles and the others also looked puzzled, all waiting for Alexander's answer.

"You don't need to know the reason! Get out!"

Alexander commanded in a tone that allowed no argument, "Don't make me say it a third time."

"But..."

Sebastian wanted to say more, but Charles grabbed him.

"Stop asking. Your grandfather has his reasons for doing this. Let's go!"

"Why should we?"

Sebastian wanted to say more, but a look from his father scared him into silence. In the end, he could only leave reluctantly.

Soon, only Alexander and Leon remained in the room.

Alexander swept his gaze over Leon repeatedly with eyes that, though aged, were exceptionally sharp, as if trying to see something from Leon's appearance.

But there was nothing.

Leon's expression hadn't changed from the beginning.

Finally, Alexander let out a soft sigh and spoke, "Leon, have you been doing well all these years?"

Leon's face was blank, his voice devoid of warmth.

"Let's skip the small talk."

"That's not what this is."

Alexander shook his head. He had his own questions, too.

With the Winston family's resources, why hadn't they been able to find Leon's whereabouts all these years?

He had sent people to investigate Leon countless times, but not one had brought back useful information.

"Leon, I know you hate me. You hate me for driving you out of the family back then! You're grown up now, and I think you should be able to understand some things! When I expelled you, I was actually trying to protect you!"

"Protect me? Is that so?"

Leon's lips curved into a mocking smile as he looked at him, "If you were so kind-hearted, why did you kill my parents?"

Hearing this, Alexander suddenly became agitated.

"No! I didn't! Leon, you can blame me and resent me for anything, but you absolutely cannot accuse me of this! Your parents' deaths had nothing to do with me."

"Really?"

Though young, Leon's gaze was even sharper than Alexander's.

When he stared directly at Alexander without any attempt to hide it, he couldn't help but feel a chill.

Alexander's heart tightened.

He couldn't figure out how Leon had survived all these years on his own.

Moreover, he saw something terrifying in Leon!

He couldn't identify what it was. Even though he had lived for decades, he had rarely encountered it.

What was it?

Alexander frowned. He wanted to see through Leon, but the closer he got to the truth, the more fearful he became.

"Really! I cannot give you any guarantee." Alexander looked serious, not appearing to be lying.

Leon smiled and withdrew his gaze.

"Fine, I'll believe you for now."

This made Alexander breathe a sigh of relief.

He paused, then said earnestly, "Leon, I called you back this time because there's actually something I need to ask of you!"

"I know."

"You know?"

"Yes."

Alexander narrowed his eyes, studying Leon for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

"You seem more capable than I thought! Although I don't know what you've been through these years, I think it hasn't been a bad thing for you."

Leon didn't answer, or rather, couldn't be bothered to answer.

Because to him, all this was "small talk," and that was the last thing he wanted to do right now.

He had nothing to chat about with Alexander or anyone from the Winston family.

Alexander saw through Leon's thoughts, so he cut straight to the point.

"Leon, I've been injured and don't have much time left. I called you here because I want you to take over the Winston family!"

Leon knew Alexander must have had a reason for calling him here.

But he didn't know exactly what it was.

Hearing Alexander's proposal now made him raise an eyebrow, looking somewhat surprised.

"Me? Take over the Winston family? Have you gone senile? Or did I hear wrong?"

Alexander smiled kindly and shook his head.

"I'm not senile, and you didn't hear wrong."

Leon let out a scornful laugh. The words that came to his lips were swallowed back.

He had many questions, all about the illogical reasoning behind this matter.

'For instance, Alexander had expelled him back then, treating him as the family's abandoned child, just short of removing his name, and now he wanted this abandoned child to come back and take over the family. Wasn't this a huge contradiction?

Even if Alexander had his reasons back then, and expelled him from the family to protect him, what about now? Was he trying to push him into a pit of fire?

Also, why would Alexander do this? He definitely didn't know my true identity or my real capabilities, so in his eyes, I should be an ordinary person with no special abilities. Why would he think an ordinary person like me could take over the Winston family?

The contradictions weren't limited to just these two points--there were many more.

But Leon didn't ask these questions.

He knew that even if he asked, he wouldn't get the real answers.

Alexander's decision to have me take over the Winston family must have a purpose and motive.

Did he want Charles and his son to devour me?

Fine!

Let's see what Alexander is really up to!

If he's giving me the Winston family, then he shouldn't expect to get it back.'

"Interesting. You want me to be the family's next leader? You think I have the ability?"

Alexander nodded, "Ability can be cultivated, but identity cannot. No one is more suitable than you."

"What about Charles?"

"With you here, he'll always be second."

"What if he refuses to accept it?"

"That's where cultivating your ability comes in, isn't it?"

"Indeed."

Leon smiled, and Alexander smiled too.

But neither of their smiles looked sincere.

"Alright, since you want me to take over the family, I'll do it! So when are you going to die?"

These words made Alexander both angry and amused.

"Leon, although we don't have much of a relationship, I'm still your grandfather. I think you should show me some basic respect."

"I'm already showing you plenty of respect, otherwise I wouldn't have come here today!"

Alexander was stunned. Thinking of Leon's parents and his experiences over the years, the little resentment in his heart immediately dissipated.

"It won't be too long."

He said this while taking out an authorization document, "I've already signed this. After I die, you can use it to become the family's next leader. At the same time, I'll prepare another will. When the time comes, no one will oppose you!"

"Got it!"

Leon took the authorization document and walked toward the door without looking back.