"It's time to come home, your mother is sick," Walter spoke in a calm and composed manner.
Liam didn't even wait for Walter to finish talking when he dashed into his car, took the next available flight, and headed straight to Sterling City. Liam was taken aback when he spotted Walter and a whole fleet of cars awaiting him at the airport.
"How did you know I was here?" Liam asked in surprise.
"I used a tracker to find your location because you left me hanging on the phone, so I got worried." He seemed pretty proud of himself.
"Putting a tracker on my phone. Wow, was it your idea or mom's?" Liam laughed slightly.
"Both, I guess. Young master, it is very nice to see you again. I must admit, you look good in your graduation gown." Walter couldn't help but hold back his laughter.
Liam's eyes went wide when he realized he hadn't even changed his clothes! As soon as he heard his mom was sick, he had to dash over to Sterling City. He let out a big sigh and loosened his tie a little.
"Next time, do not give me such a scare," Liam said to Walter, who was walking alongside him.
"Welcome, young master!" The guards stood upright, forming a single file that led to the car.
People at the airport started taking pictures and videos of them, and suddenly Liam wished he had a change of clothes. He glared at Walter, who was trying his best not to laugh as they got into the car.
"Please, never do that again!" Liam muttered.
---
Amanda was in her office talking to a client when she saw her son displayed on the TV screen with the headline "YOUNG MASTER OF THE G'S EMPIRE RETURNS HOME."
"Oh, Walter," Amanda muttered as she pinched the space between her brows.
"We will continue tomorrow, please excuse me." She said to the man, and he nodded in agreement and left.
She grabbed her car keys and drove straight to the house.
Liam hurried into the house; he rushed to his mother's room, but she wasn't there. He went to her study, but it was the same.
"Where's my mother?" Liam asked hurriedly to Walter, who didn't know what to say because she was in her room before he left.
Liam breathed a sigh of relief when he saw his mother walking toward him. He quickly hugged her.
"Did you miss me that much?" Amanda laughed as she ruffled his hair.
"Walter told me you were sick, and the way he sounded made me rush down," Liam replied to his mother.
"Yes, I can see that," Amanda couldn't help but burst into laughter when she spotted his outfit.
"I'm sorry I couldn't come for your graduation. The doctor told me I was in no condition to travel, but it's nice that you're here." Amanda smiled at her son with love in her eyes.
"So it's really serious this time?"
"Don't worry, your mother is a strong woman. I've been battling this cancer for years, so there's no need to be worried. Now, come on and tell your mother how your graduation went!"
"Mother, I'm starving and exhausted." Liam let out a playful grumble.
Liam stayed by his mother's side the whole day; he didn't let her move from her bed, and when it was night, he tucked her in and went to his room.
Amanda heard the door open, and Walter walked in.
"How did you know?" Amanda asked with a straight face.
"I overheard a little when I was at the door," Walter said, dropping his gaze to the floor.
Earlier that day, Amanda, who went to see her doctor, said she was informed she had less than a week to live. She decided not to tell Walter and even her son so they would carry on with their duty and not feel a burden.
She planned to tell Liam to come back home, but she didn't just know how to tell him.
"I'm sorry, madam, if I was being forward, but it was what needed to be done."
"Thank you, Walter, you have done well in your duty, and I hope you take good care of Liam when he becomes the president of the G's empire." Amanda exhaled deeply.
"You have my word, madam president."
The next morning, Liam hummed happily as he carried breakfast to his mother.
"Good morning to the most beautiful woman in the world." Liam said as he pressed a gentle kiss on his mother's cheek.
Amanda removed her gaze from her notebook and glared at him with skepticism.
"What's up with all these sudden displays of affection?" Amanda said, dropping her notebook as she removed her glass.
"I just thought I'd bring you breakfast; besides, I made it myself," Liam said, with a hint of pride.
"This is delicious." Amanda praised her son as she took a bite from the toast and sipped from the tea.
After breakfast, Liam and his mother went shopping, so he could get new clothes because he hadn't brought anything with him. After shopping, Liam was taken to the company to get acquainted with the board of directors, department heads, key stakeholders, etc.
The journey was tiring, but Liam had to be strong for his mother. He overheard the discussion she had with Walter, so he understood that everything had to be done in a rush.
G's Empire was the biggest company in Sterling City; they had high-end fashion brands that dominated the industry and always topped the charts each year. But since his mother became sick, they started facing difficulties due to a power struggle, and they fell to sixth place. So it was his job as the new president to ensure the company moved forward.
---
Liam was dressed in a tuxedo with a glass of wine in his hand as he greeted the guests as they walked in. It was Liam's birthday party.
"Liam, you're all grown up now. The last time I saw you, you were tiny as a baby." Aunt Hera said as she gushed over him while a lady was by her side, looking all dolled up with makeup.
"It's wonderful to see you again, aunt."
"This is my friend's daughter. Her name is Jane, she's..."
"Excuse my aunt, I have to attend to my mother," Liam said as he hurried to his mother's side.
"It's your birthday party. You should socialize and have fun." Amanda laughed.
"I can't have fun if all the guests are trying to hook me up with their daughters or friends' daughters," Liam said as he rolled his eyes and took a gulp from his wine.
"It's all part of politics, you know." Amanda simply shrugged and took a sip of her wine.
"Yeah, whatever."
"My son is so handsome that's why all the ladies are staring at you intensely," Amanda said, pinching his cheeks.
Amanda clicked her glass with a spoon, and all the guests gathered around, awaiting her speech.
"Today we gather here to celebrate my son's birthday and his return to..." Amanda's words caught in her throat, and she coughed out blood. The glass she held shattered into countless pieces, causing the guests to gasp in fear.
Amanda lost her balance and was about to fall when Liam quickly caught her and carried her while Walter and the other staff dismissed the guests.
"I don't want to go to the hospital, there's nothing they can do. Liam, take me to my room," Amanda muttered softly under her breath. Liam did as he was told.
He carefully tucked her in; she looked so pale and fragile, and Liam couldn't hold back the tears he felt, and he let them run down his face.
"Hey, don't be sad, I will always be with you," Amanda said softly.
"I still need you here with me, I don't think I can handle this whole empire without you." Liam wailed.
"I believe in you, and besides, you have Walter. If you ever need him, he's there." Amanda smiled as Liam nodded his head as he listened to her.
"You have grown so much from that scared little boy who wanted to commit suicide to a very fine young man. I know you are not Liam, but you will always be my son." Amanda's eyes filled with tears as she lovingly reached out and caressed his face.
"I know you want to have your revenge on those who hurt you, but swear to me that you will take care of the G's Empire and bring it to its former glory," Amanda muttered.
"I swear," Liam said as he held onto her hand, memories of what happened five years ago flooding his mind, and his eyes darkened with rage.