No matter how much she cried, Arthur didn’t budge. He didn’t comfort her. He didn’t forgive her. He didn’t even react. John clenched his teeth, his patience running out. Arthur wasn’t moved at all, despite everything. With no other choice, he turned to Zac. "Zac! Apologize to Arthur now!" His heart twisted in agony. Zac was the son she had fought so hard to bring into this world. He had named him Zac with the hope that one day he would inherit everything he had built. John hadn’t been there for Zac in his early years, and he had carried that guilt ever since. So when he finally brought Zac home, he overcompensated. He spoiled him. He made sure the entire family treated him like he was special. He raised him with the love and care he wished he had given him from the start. And now, in front of everyone, he had to make Zac lower his head and apologize to the one person he despised the most—Arthur. It was unbearable. But if Gray Corporation fell today, what would Zac have left? John had made a promise with her. He swore he would take care of their child. I couldn’t let Zac end up with nothing. His will had already been written. Every share of Gray Corporation would belong to Zac after his death. I would not let this company be destroyed. What happened to Julie and her sisters? They had their own paths. They would be fine on their own. Zac looked at John in utter disbelief. Does he seriously not see what’s happening? Arthur is doing this just to humiliate me! His jaw tightened so much he thought his teeth might crack. The moment John barked his order, the fury in Zac’s eyes burned dangerously close to the surface. Unbelievable.All those promises John made—I’ll protect you. I won’t let anything happen to you. I’ll always take care of you. And now, after all that talk, he was making him kneel to Arthur, that pathetic waste of space, and apologize in front of everyone? He wanted me to just sit there and take this humiliation? He was the rightful heir to Gray Corporation. He had fought his way through the business world for years. Arthur? Arthur was nothing. Did John seriously couldn’t find a way out of this mess? That quiet apology earlier had been as far as he was willing to go. He had already lowered himself more than he ever thought possible. And now John wanted him to grovel even more? To humiliate himself even further? Arthur was using a tactic he knew all too well. Because Zac had done it himself so many times before. John was growing desperate. Zac still wasn’t moving. He wanted to get up and whisper something to him, to make him understand. But Arthur hadn’t spoken yet, and he knew he couldn’t risk standing up too soon. He had already done the unthinkable—kneeling before Arthur in front of so many people. It was the biggest sacrifice he could make. I couldn’t let it be for nothing. Zac, meanwhile, was filled with nothing but rage. Yes, he wanted to save Gray Corporation. But not like this. There was no way he was going to let Arthur humiliate him in front of everyone—especially with South City’s most powerful figures watching. John had no choice. His voice turned sharp. "Zac! Apologize now!" John’s words weren’t particularly cruel, but the sharpness in his tone was impossible to ignore. Zac’s eyes widened in shock. He’s never spoken to me like this before.For as long as he could remember, John had never been harsh with him. He had never raised his voice, never scolded him. But now, for Arthur, he was yelling at him in front of everyone? Zac’s face flushed red, a mix of shame and fury bubbling inside him. It was unbearable to have the one person who had always protected him publicly reprimand him, especially with South City's most powerful families watching. And in that moment, a thought crossed Zac’s mind. Was his love for me ever real? John kept his eyes locked on Arthur, studying his reaction. I’ve done enough. He should be satisfied by now. He should let Zac stand up and forgive us already. He had spent his life among the elite and had never suffered this level of humiliation. In all his years, this was by far the most degrading moment he had ever experienced. And it was all because of Arthur. If he had to endure this himself, he might have been able to swallow his pride. But watching Zac—the child he had protected and cherished—being humiliated like this? That was unbearable. Yet, second by second, the tension stretched on. Zac’s expression grew darker, but Arthur still refused to say a word. The murmurs in the crowd grew louder, but not a single person dared to step in. No one wanted to cross Cloudia Corporation. And more importantly, no one wanted to end up like the Gray family. Arthur had risen far beyond their reach. Criticizing him was no longer an option. Arthur just stood there, watching. He didn’t speak. He didn’t react. Ashley stood beside him, equally quiet. She had no intention of saying anything either. She had seen Zac’s acting before. And now? John wasn’t any different. Did they really think she hadn’t caught the scheming glint in their eyes? Even with so many people present, not a single one spoke up for them. John kept glancing at Raelynn and Susie, silently pleading for help. But Raelynn acted as if she didn’t see him, and the three sisters were too lost in their sorrow to even acknowledge him.