“The money will come from your charity foundation…” 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Mr. Wadrick interjected, and Severella nodded in agreement.

Though only in her early twenties, Severella already controlled several types of funds—a common situation among heirs at this level, each managing resources that outsiders can barely understand.

But this also causes problems. In families like theirs, each generation faces a unique challenge: the transfer of power and wealth.

When Mr. Wadrick grows old, he will pass his assets and authority to Severella. Transferring power is simple—just signing legal documents—but transferring wealth involves an unavoidable and troublesome issue: taxes.

Among the Federation’s taxes, inheritance tax is especially harsh. Some say only birth and death escape taxation, but that’s wrong—both require taxes, and often hefty ones.

Ordinary families usually don’t struggle with inheritance tax, but for someone like Mr. Wadrick, it becomes a massive headache.

The Federation’s standard inheritance tax rate is 5%, which most families face. For example, if parents leave tens of thousands in assets, heirs pay a few thousand in taxes.

But for the ultra-rich like Wadrick, inheritance tax can be as high as 50%. That’s a terrifying sum.

Suppose Mr. Wadrick leaves Severella 10 million in assets, most of which isn’t cash but real estate or company shares. To inherit, Severella must pay 5 million in cash taxes. If she can’t, part of the inheritance is auctioned off to cover the tax, and she only receives what remains.

Sometimes, she might end up with less than 2 million, while the rest sits unwanted at auction.

Capitalists who worked their whole lives wouldn’t accept giving half or more to the government after death.

So they team up with lawyers to exploit legal loopholes to avoid this unavoidable tax.

From offshore asset transfers to various trusts, there are many ways to dodge inheritance tax.

When Wadrick senses his time is short, he begins gradually moving assets through complex means into foundations under Severella’s name.

These aren’t “inheritances” but investment projects managed before his death, with some assets already separated. To reduce risks, the trusts holding most of Wadrick’s estate must show consistent losses.

Profits mean taxes; losses mean no taxes.

These losses mask asset transfers so as not to attract attention. When the transfers are nearly complete, the trusts declare bankruptcy and dissolve, quietly moving money from Wadrick to Severella.

The process is so complicated that even top tax experts struggle to track every detail. Until stricter laws appear, the wealthy will continue using this method to avoid taxes.

Eventually, Severella decides to donate 100,000 to help those in need—a truly kind-hearted girl.

As the butler appeared in the dining room, the cooks announced everything was ready. As soothing music played—Mr. Wadrick had a familiar band on call—the chefs introduced the evening’s dishes, ingredients, preparation, and placed the food before everyone. ᚱÅɴȱ𝐛Èʂ

“I thought this was just a family dinner…” Lynch laughed.

Wadrick said nothing, but his wife explained, “My cooking isn’t great. Since this is your first visit as Severella’s boyfriend, we thought it should be special.”

Severella’s face flushed instantly. Wadrick coughed lightly, and Lynch was somewhat surprised.

He had expected something simpler but clearly underestimated the situation.

After a few coughs, Wadrick regained composure. “My daughter has never dated before. That’s my pride as a father but also my failing. You’re her first boyfriend. I hope you both…” He traced his hairline with his right index finger to mask his expression, “…whatever happens, don’t hurt each other.”

“Love can be selfish, but it can also be forgiving.”

“My dear, you say that so well!”

Ignoring the affectionate couple, Severella, sitting beside Lynch, felt awkward. “Sorry, I didn’t expect them to bring this up…” She looked down but stole a glance at Lynch before lowering her head again.

She clearly felt some happiness. Previously, Lynch’s ambiguous rejection or half-agreement had left her upset for a long time.

It wasn’t a clear rejection, but it wasn’t acceptance either. Because of her unhappiness, Wadrick decided to give her something she wanted—something like love, even if it wasn’t really love.

Unrequited love is painful; those who haven’t felt it can never understand.

A faint smile curved Lynch’s lips as he shook his head. “You know, I’m really not the best choice.”

He knew who he was and didn’t want to get too involved with Severella. If their relationship deepened, Wadrick would inevitably interfere—setting rules, controlling actions—all to keep her loyal.

That wasn’t the life Lynch wanted. He refused to let others control his life, even if many would accept such constraints.

He looked at the silent girl and paused. “I have many girlfriends, some I’ve been intimate with, and maybe more in the future. Can you accept that?”

Severella finally looked up, her expression changing. “Why would you say that? You know I like you—maybe even more than that…”

Lynch waited nearly ten seconds, then easily broke through her defenses. “See, you can’t even say the word love. Maybe you don’t really love me. Maybe I just fit your idea of a partner. But you know I’m not the best choice.”

“Listen, Severella, finding someone who truly loves you is far better than wasting time on me.”

“I mess with women’s feelings, I sleep around, I don’t even spare women with children. Maybe one day I’ll just toss them all onto a bed…”

As Lynch spoke quietly, Severella suddenly stood up. “I’m not feeling well. I won’t eat dinner,” she said, then hurried away almost running.

Wadrick’s wife looked surprised. Severella rarely behaved so rudely. Both adults stared at Lynch.

It was Lynch’s whispered words that upset their precious daughter enough to leave in tears.

Wadrick’s gaze was sharp like a knife, but Lynch was thick-skinned and unfazed by such hostility.

“Is there something we should know?” Wadrick asked Lynch.

Lynch shrugged, unfolded his napkin, and spread it on his lap. “I just got dumped.”

Mr. Wadrick looked at Lynch and couldn’t help but laugh, “You really are a damn bastard!”

“You too, sir!”

Wadrick sighed heavily, grabbing his wife’s arm as she was about to leave. “Let her be alone for a while. She needs to learn to grow up through this.”

Then he turned to Lynch. “Should I thank you or curse you? Honestly, you could’ve ended this…”—he struggled to find the right word—“more tactfully, instead of how you did!”

Lynch shook his head. Draging it out would have been the worst choice; who knows what could’ve happened.

Seeing Lynch stay quiet, Wadrick’s curiosity grew. “What exactly did you say to make her give up such a foolish decision? Can you tell me?”

Lynch glanced at him and smiled. “I get the feeling you’re mocking me. Am I the foolish decision?”

“Sorry, I’m used to speaking frankly. Let me rephrase: what did you say that made her make the right choice?” Wadrick asked differently, but the meaning didn’t change.

Lynch didn’t bother arguing and replied with a smile, “I just told her I’d just been with a mother who has a five-year-old kid…”

Hearing his wife exclaim Oh my god and turn away, Wadrick knew Lynch wasn’t wrong—he really is one damn bastard!