America: My Time

Chapter 764 Parting ways
Chapter 754 Parting Ways

"You see? This is the family's greed, and also its biggest problem. Because our family is not primarily focused on business, but rather on political involvement, the patriarch doesn't have enough power, at least not enough control over the family's wealth. After all, we are a century-old family, so there are many internal conflicts. If things aren't handled properly, this situation will occur. Although the old man has always been fighting for the family, many people don't accept it. They want to get more benefits from me, and your decision became the last straw that broke the camel's back. They felt that the old man wanted our branch to firmly grasp the family's power, and that's how this ended."

After the farce, John calmly analyzed the family's situation for Allen, explaining why the family had fallen to this point. It wasn't that the old man had done anything wrong, nor was it his uncle Albert's fault; rather, it was because these people were too greedy. They lacked power themselves, yet their greed was insatiable, and they were arrogant and self-righteous. They thought that by uniting, they could get everything they wanted—they were simply delusional. Perhaps in their hearts, they felt that John was under immense external pressure, pressured by Rockefeller and his ilk, and desperately needed their power, which led to such a foolish decision.

Although the conflict between John and the old guys like Rockefeller had ended, not many people in the United States knew about it. Even the members of the Bayard family were unaware of John's Jaguar Security Company's operations in California. They only saw that John had paid a huge price, giving up 30% of Global Networks and 5% of Morgan's shares, which fueled their even greater greed.

Of course, there's another aspect: the arrival of Martin Jr. In these guys' minds, John was so generous in giving the family such benefits because he wanted Martin Jr. to gain the family's approval. This gave them the illusion that they could take this opportunity to get even more benefits.

"Didn't Grandpa think of all this?" Allen asked, puzzled. He didn't think that with his grandfather's wisdom, he wouldn't have thought of such a situation. So why didn't his grandfather take precautions in advance?
"Perhaps we thought of it, but we held onto a sliver of hope. After all, those guys are too self-serving. If we let them take over the family, it would cause changes in the family's situation. Once the old man comes, we'll understand everything. However, this situation is also good. At least it makes the old man realize that the family has reached a point where change is necessary."

As John finished speaking, Smith sighed and said, "It is indeed time for the family to change. There are some things you should know. Your mother and I went to California not only because I did not want to be bound by the family, but more so because the family environment has changed. Many people do not want to see our branch occupy more of the family's resources."

“That’s right. I was saying that even if the family realized its shortcomings in business, there was no need to go so far. New York was more suitable for development, but Father, you chose California. That in itself was problematic. I didn’t think about it carefully before, but now I understand that the development was caused by internal family issues.” John was not surprised by this situation. That’s how large families are. There are always internal struggles, and compromises are inevitable for the sake of resources.

"It seems you already had a feeling about this!" Upon seeing John's reaction, Smith couldn't help but shake his head, somewhat surprised by his prodigious son. After all, figuring things out so quickly was no easy feat.

"I wouldn't say I noticed it early on. It was after I chose to give up everything in the family that I spent time exploring it. After all, every family has this problem, even the Rockefellers. It's just that their patriarch has more power and controls the family's lifeline, while the old man, although the patriarch, doesn't control the family business, which is the biggest problem. But it's good this way. It's a good thing to get out of it sooner, so I don't have to waste my energy on these guys."

“John, you can’t say that. The family is relatively fair. At least you received financial support from the family back then!”

"Hehe, I do admit that, but it was mostly due to the old man's insistence. Otherwise, I'm afraid it would have been difficult to get that funding. After all, the old man doesn't control the family's funds. It's the biggest hidden danger that a clan leader can't control the family's funds. The clan leader's authority will be affected. If the old man hadn't always been in a high position, and if my uncle hadn't been quite capable, I'm afraid things wouldn't have turned out the way they were before."

Compared to Smith's feelings for his family, John, a younger generation member, did not share the same sentiments. After all, John did not grow up within the family. Apart from the family's initial assistance when he started his career, John did not receive much help from the family and was even ostracized by them.

“John, this time you’ve made up your mind to separate from the family, haven’t you considered Martin’s situation?” Smith frowned. For him, the family was still very important, but John didn’t think so. This was the effect of the generation gap, and perhaps this was a situation that the family hadn’t considered.

“Yes, I was indeed determined to sever ties with them. As for Martin, he's my own child, and I can take care of him myself. He doesn't need their approval at all. I brought Naoko and Martin back to the family to give them one last chance, but unfortunately, they didn't seize it. They still haven't changed their minds; they're still so greedy. They only offered a little help, yet they dared to make such insane demands. I can't accept that. In my opinion, they don't deserve my trust, much less my further sacrifices.” At this moment, his mother Anna, sister Eva, and Naoko remained silent. This was not something they could get involved in. After all, the stakes for John were too high; even the slightest compromise would drive these people mad!

Just when the conversation reached a dead end, Old Martin appeared, but at this moment his face was devoid of light, and he exuded an air of old age, as if he were truly heartbroken.

"John, what do you want to do now? You've seen the situation of the family. Do you really want to take that step?" Old Martin looked at John and asked. There was still a faint expectation in his eyes. After all, for an old man like him, he still had feelings for the family. Even if those people had selfish motives, he still felt a little reluctant to leave.

“Old man, I had no choice. If they had changed even a little, I wouldn’t have made this decision. But I didn’t see any change in them; all I saw was greed. They are far more greedy than those old Rockefellers. I don’t want to know what they’re thinking, but from now on, I don’t want to have anything to do with them anymore. I don’t want to suffer betrayal from within. I know you’re in pain, but I will not compromise!”

"Alright, since you've made your decision, I won't say anything more. However, even so, if you can help them in the future, please don't stand idly by!"

John couldn't help but smile bitterly at the old man's request. He still couldn't agree to it. In John's view, the reason these guys hadn't changed and remained so self-righteous was because he had given them too much help, which had created an illusion that John needed them and the family's power.

“Grandpa, I cannot agree to this. Since we are going to separate, let’s make it a clean break. I don’t want to be implicated by them in the future. James and those guys have all gotten involved with Melon. How can I help them? When they choose to take this step, my relationship with them will come to an end! I will not come back after Christmas. And since you have also chosen to let go, it’s time for me to sever my ties with the family!”

John made his decision decisively. If he continued down this path, he would only put himself in danger and allow those old guys to take advantage of him. Mellon had already made his move, so how far were the others? Moreover, for those old guys, if they had the opportunity to scheme against him, a marriage alliance would be no problem at all.

"Alright, since you've made your decision, I won't say anything more. After all, you have your own ideas, and it's unfair to you to sacrifice your own interests for the family. I have no reason to stop you!"

"Grandpa, I'm glad you understand. If it's my uncle in trouble, I'm naturally willing to help. But I don't want to deal with the others anymore. They're too greedy and have crossed our bottom line. I can't accept it. Did I offer too little? Four percent of Dream World's shares are almost equivalent to the entire family's assets, but they're still not satisfied. How can I accept such insane greed? People are never satisfied. I don't want to have anything to do with them anymore. Let's end it here. In the end, I will donate a sum of money to the family as a final settlement."

Out of respect for the old man, John still chose to donate a sum of money to the family. As for the future, John would no longer have any connection with the family. Although John had been prepared, he still felt a slight sense of loss when facing all of this. He needed enough talented people, but unfortunately, the family members were too greedy, which John could not accept. Otherwise, he would have been affected by their greed and would have suffered unnecessary trouble.

(End of this chapter)