Chapter 269 Grandfather and Grandson
"Failure's just part of the game, Hilda," John said, his voice firm but not harsh. "It's how we bounce back that really counts."
Hilda stared at the floor, shame gnawing at him. He knew this stuff, sure. He'd grown up on a steady diet of pep talks and self-help books, all preaching that resilience was the key. But knowing it and living it? Two totally different things.
He'd tripped, fallen, and the thought of getting back up to face Skyview's cutthroat ambition again made him feel bone-tired. Especially now, knowing even Kaelen, the guy he thought was untouchable, had been taken down.
A part of him, the timid part, just wanted to disappear—drink himself senseless and escape the overwhelming expectations and fear of failure that haunted him like a shadow.
But John's arrival was a harsh reminder of the life he was about to lose. He saw the disappointment in his grandfather's eyes, the judgment piercing through the mask of concern.
"Speak up, boy!" John snapped, his voice sharp. "Got nothing to say for yourself? I raised you better than this! Davis men aren't cowards. We get knocked down, but we get back up. Every. Single. Time."
John's gaze was intense, burning into Hilda's soul. He was at a crossroads, his grandfather's patience running thin. One wrong move, one sign of weakness, and he'd be cast aside, replaced like a faulty part in the Davis family machine.
The thought of losing everything, of being stripped of his wealth and status, was like a cold slap in the face. The alcohol-induced fog lifted, replaced by a surge of cold, hard fear.
"Grandpa," Hilda said, meeting his grandfather's eyes with newfound determination. "I won't let you down again. I'll prove myself."
A flicker of approval crossed John's face. "Good. You built Shark Live from scratch, turned it into an industry leader. That took guts, vision. Don't let this setback erase all that."
"I know, Grandpa," Hilda said, his voice gaining some confidence. "It's just… Shark Live was my baby. Seeing it fall apart like this…"
"It's a business, Hilda, not a child," John said, his voice softening a bit. "And the live streaming industry is a fickle beast. High risk, even higher reward. This was always a possibility."
Despite his age, John had kept a sharp eye on the tech world. He'd seen its meteoric rise, the fortunes made and lost overnight. He'd even, in a moment of astonishing shortsightedness, dismissed Erin Wright, the founder of ApexTech, as a naive upstart. A mistake that had cost him dearly, both financially and in terms of pride.
It was a lesson he hadn't forgotten. He'd learned to adapt, to embrace the ever-changing digital landscape. And he'd made sure Hilda, his chosen heir, was ready to do the same.
"Remember, Hilda," John continued, his voice taking on a steely edge, "the real heart of the Davis family fortune isn't some trendy app. It's our stake in the Twin Group. That's where your focus should be."
"I understand, Grandpa," Hilda said, nodding firmly. He knew his grandfather was right. Shark Live was a loss, a painful one, but it wasn't the end. He needed to move forward, shift his focus to something more meaningful and lasting.
"Good," John said, getting up from his chair. "Now, get yourself cleaned up. You have a company to save." He paused, his eyes boring into Hilda's. "Don't make me regret giving you this chance."
Hilda watched his grandfather leave, a renewed sense of purpose settling in his chest. He had a lot of work to do, a lot to prove. But for the first time in weeks, he felt a glimmer of hope. He wouldn't let Skyview break him or let John down again.
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