I'm The King of Business & Technology in the Modern World-Chapter 79: Seeing the Family Part 2

Teresa gasped, covering her mouth. "You… you did?"

His father, however, stiffened. "We don't need your handouts."

"Can you please drop your pride for one moment dad?" Matthew continued, his voice sharp yet controlled. His patience had limits, and he wasn't about to let his father's pride rob his mother of a better life.

His father scoffed, shaking his head. "You think money fixes everything? That just because you throw a few million pesos at a problem, suddenly everything is fine?"

Matthew's jaw tightened. "No, I don't think money fixes everything. But it does fix this." He gestured around the cramped, rundown apartment. "You're living in a place that's falling apart. You can barely afford rent. Mom is exhausted. Marco is working extra shifts just to keep food on the table. And you're telling me you'd rather suffer than accept help?"

Ramon Sr. slammed his fist on the table. "Because it's not help—it's pity! You left, Matthew! You cut us off and acted like we didn't exist. And now, you think you can just waltz back in and play the hero?"

Matthew took a slow breath, his hands tightening into fists before he forced himself to unclench them. "I left because I had no choice," he said, his voice quieter, but firm. "I was never good enough for you. No matter what I did, it wasn't enough. So I made something of myself without you. And now, when I'm finally in a position to help, you'd rather let your family suffer than accept it from me?"

The room fell into an uneasy silence.

His mother wiped her tears, stepping forward hesitantly. "Matthew, hijo, we appreciate what you're offering. But your father… he—"

"Has too much pride," Matthew cut in. He turned to his father. "Fine. If you don't want my money, don't take it. But I didn't buy the house for you—I bought it for Mom. She doesn't deserve this." He softened his voice, turning back to his mother. "Mom, the house is already in your name. I had everything processed. It's fully paid. No banks, no rent, no debts. You don't have to worry anymore."

Teresa's lips trembled as fresh tears ran down her face. She covered her mouth, nodding as she sobbed quietly.

Marco, who had been quiet the whole time, finally spoke. "Where is it?"

Matthew turned to his brother, recognizing the hesitance in his voice. Marco had always been the peacemaker—the one who tried to balance things between him and their father.

"It's in Quezon City. Near a hospital, good schools, a safe neighborhood. It's big enough for all of you, and there's even a small garden for Mom."

Marco nodded, but his expression was unreadable. He looked at their father, who remained silent, staring at the worn-down table like it held all the answers he couldn't find.

"I just want her to be okay," Matthew added, his voice softer now.

His father let out a slow, heavy breath. "I don't need a fancy house," he muttered.

"It's not about what you need," Matthew said. "It's about what Mom deserves."

Silence.

Finally, his father leaned back, rubbing his face. "You're still the same stubborn kid," he murmured.

Matthew smirked slightly. "I learned from you."

That earned a bitter chuckle from the old man. He shook his head before looking at his wife. "If you want it… take it."

Teresa gasped, her teary eyes widening. "You mean it?"

His father exhaled. "Yeah."

Marco looked between them before sighing. "Alright," he said, rubbing the back of his head. "I guess we should start packing."

Matthew nodded. "I'll have movers here tomorrow. You don't have to do anything."

His mother reached for his hand, gripping it tightly. "Thank you, hijo. Thank you."

For the first time in years, Matthew felt something unfamiliar—a small, buried part of him that had been hardened by years of resentment finally cracking. He squeezed her hand back.

"I'll check in more often," he promised.

Teresa's lips trembled as she nodded, gripping his hand tighter as if afraid that if she let go, he would disappear again. "I would like that," she whispered, her voice barely holding back the emotions that had built up over the years.

Marco watched the exchange in silence, his arms still crossed, but there was something softer in his expression now—relief, maybe, or a quiet acknowledgment that things were finally changing.

Matthew took a slow breath, then turned his attention to him. "There's something else I want to talk to you about."

Marco raised an eyebrow. "What now? You gonna tell me I'm moving into some fancy condo too?"

Matthew smirked. "No, but I do have a job offer for you."

Marco stiffened slightly. "What?"

"You have a degree in IT. I could use people like you at Sentinel."

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Marco scoffed. "Yeah, right. You're telling me that out of all the tech people in the country, I'm the one you want?"

Matthew leaned against the old wooden table, keeping his expression neutral. "I know your background. I know what you're capable of. And I know that you've been stuck in jobs that don't let you grow. You've been wasting your time in dead-end positions because you never got a real shot."

Marco exhaled sharply, rubbing the back of his head. "And you're just offering me a position out of nowhere?"

"I'm offering you a real opportunity," Matthew corrected. "A fresh start. You'd be coming in above entry-level, with proper training and pay that's actually worth your skills."

Marco hesitated. "And what about Dad? You think he's gonna be okay with this?"

Matthew's jaw tightened, but his voice remained steady. "I don't care what he thinks. You're a grown man, Marco. You don't need his permission to make a better life for yourself."

Marco fell silent. He glanced at their father, who was still seated at the table, staring at a spot on the wall, lost in thought. For once, he had nothing to say, no insults, no criticisms.

Then Marco looked at their mother, who still had Matthew's hand in hers, her eyes filled with a mixture of gratitude and hope.

After a long moment, he let out a breath. "And I'd be working under you?"

Matthew shook his head. "Not directly. You'd be placed with my cybersecurity team. You'd report to my CIO, just like everyone else."

Marco smirked slightly. "So, no special treatment?"

"No."

Marco stared at him, searching his expression for any sign of pity or obligation. But he didn't find any—only an offer, plain and simple.

"…Alright," he finally said. "I'll do it."

Teresa gasped, clapping her hands together. "Oh, Marco, that's wonderful!"

Matthew simply nodded. "Good. I'll have my assistant send over the paperwork. Be ready to start in a week."

Marco exhaled, still looking unsure but also… determined. "Guess I should buy some office clothes."

Matthew smirked. "Yeah, and maybe a haircut."

Marco chuckled, shaking his head. "Damn, you really don't change, huh?"

Matthew's smirk widened. "Not when I'm right."

Teresa wiped at her eyes, looking between her two sons. "This is good," she whispered. "This is so good."

Matthew glanced at his watch. The movers had finished, and it was time for them to leave.

"I have to go," he said.

His mother pulled him into a sudden hug, holding him tight. "Thank you, hijo. Thank you for everything."

Matthew hesitated for only a second before returning the hug. "Take care of yourself, Mom."

She nodded, pulling away slowly.

He turned to Marco, offering a final nod. "See you at work."

Marco smirked. "Yeah. See you at work."

Matthew exhaled and stepped toward the door, his polished shoes clicking against the floor. He didn't look at his father, and his father didn't say a word.

That was fine.

Some things would never change.

But for now, he had done what he could. And for the first time in a long time, he felt something other than ambition driving him forward.

Maybe, just maybe, this was the start of something better.