The Last Laugh

The drive to the prison was long and uneventful, giving me plenty of time to dwell on the upcoming confrontation. Jasper sat beside me, a silent pillar of support. The early morning sun cast long shadows across the deserted highway, and the car's tires hummed a monotonous tune against the asphalt.

"You ready for this?" Jasper finally broke the silence, his voice calm and steady.

"More than ready," I replied, my voice colder than the winter wind. "It's time he knows who's really in charge."

Jasper nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Good. Remember, this is your moment. You've worked hard to get here, to bring them all down. Don't let him see any hesitation, Sugar."

"Don't worry," I said, tightening my grip on the steering wheel. "He'll see exactly what I want him to see."

Jasper's confidence was infectious. He had a way of making me feel invincible, reminding me of the strength and cunning that had brought me to this point. We had spent the previous evening going over every detail, every insult, every revelation. This visit was not just a meeting; it was a carefully orchestrated performance, and I was the lead actor.

"You know, he always underestimated you," Jasper continued, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. "Thought you were the weakest link. Today, you're going to show him just how wrong he was."

I smirked, the thought of my father's impending downfall bringing a twisted sense of satisfaction. "He's going to see exactly what his golden children are worth compared to me."

"And when he does, don't hold back," Jasper advised. "Hit him with everything you've got. Make him understand that every piece of his downfall was orchestrated by you."

I nodded, the plan crystallizing in my mind. "He'll regret every moment he ever doubted me."

Jasper leaned back in his seat, a look of approval on his face. "That's the spirit. Remember, you're in control. He's just a sad, broken man now. Use that to your advantage."

The car fell into silence again, but it was a comfortable silence, filled with unspoken understanding and shared purpose. Jasper's words echoed in my mind, strengthening my resolve. I thought back to all the nights spent planning, all the moves made in the shadows, all leading up to this moment. My father had always been a fool, blind to the real threats around him. Today, he would see the truth.

As we neared the prison, Jasper reached over and gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "You've got this," he said firmly. "You've always had this."

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment settle over me. "Yeah," I replied, my voice filled with determination. "I've got this."

We pulled into the prison parking lot, the imposing structure looming ahead of us. Jasper's unwavering support and confidence had bolstered my resolve. It was time to confront my father and show him the true power of the son he had always underestimated.

As per protocol, I was searched before entering the visiting hall and I watched my dad with contempt as he was brought out to the meeting room to sit across from me. I never really idolized him, but he was a very sad sight to behold in his jail uniform. The fact he was staying in prison for a while had stripped away the imposing figure I once knew, leaving behind a hollow shell of a man. As he took his seat, I couldn't help but smile at the pathetic sight before me.

"Well, well, look at you. All dressed up for the occasion," I mocked, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "You must've been dying to see me."

He glared at me, his eyes filled with a mix of anger and bitterness. "You think you're clever, don't you?" he spat. "You think you've won."

"I know I have," I replied, leaning back in my chair. "And to think, all of this because you trusted Helen Reed. You should have just stayed peaceful when I left you alone."

My father's face twisted with rage. "Helen Reed was the best thing that happened to our family until you ruined everything!" he shouted. "Your siblings, Emily and Tony, were worth ten of you. They had potential, they had drive. You were always the weakest link."

I smirked. "Really? If they were so great, why is one in jail and the other an international drug dealer?"

His face contorted further. "Emily and Tony were stars, shining bright. Emily was always the smart one, the one who could have taken the company to new heights. Tony was the strong one, the leader. And you? You were always the freak, the outcast."

"Interesting," I said, feigning a thoughtful expression. "Did you happen to see the three-hour documentary on YouTube about Emily's downfall? The one with undercover police testimony, showing how she used her social media to run a drug ring? It's quite the watch."

His lips pressed into a thin line, the silence thick with tension.

"I'm the only one of your children who did nothing wrong," I continued, my tone growing colder. "I'm still in business, while Emily and Tony are where they belong. But you, you never saw that. All you saw was your golden children."

For the first time, I felt like I was truly getting a glimpse of Anthony Todd Sr. sitting in front of me like a pathetic slumped heap. "Everything happened because you got lucky," he muttered, venom lacing his words. "You're still the same freak you've always been."

Offended, I leaned forward, my voice low and dangerous. "Luck? I sabotaged Tony's succession party by exposing him during the slideshow and subsequently destroyed his family unit. I gave Emily the fake drugs to plant on him through Jasper and smear Tony's name. I filmed and posted Emily being violent against Jared Jameson as well as her drunk driving and crashing ruining that dreadful union. I sold her the rotten food that ruined your precious restaurant and reputation, forcing her to sell her shares to me through Jasper."

My father stared at me, his eyes widening in shock. "You... you did all that?"

"Yes, I did," I said, enjoying the moment. "I also brought Todd Corporation to a level you could only dream of. You were born with no brain and let Mom use you as a useful idiot until the end."

He scoffed, his anger barely contained. "You think you're so clever. But you're just a snake, slithering your way through life. Your mother and I built everything, and you tore it all down with your conniving ways."

I laughed, a cold, harsh sound. "Built everything? You built nothing. Mom held the strings, and you danced like a puppet. You were too blind to see it. She used you, and you let her."

His face turned red with fury. "I did what I had to for this family. You, on the other hand, have always been a disappointment. A freak who never fit in."

"Disappointment? Funny coming from a man who's rotting in prison. Your precious Tony, the genius, is in jail. Your strong leader Emily is a drug dealer. And here I am, running the company better than you ever could."

"You think you've achieved something? You got lucky. Nothing more."

"I paved my own way," I snapped. "You know why you're here? Because you're too stupid to accept they aren't the smart ones. I orchestrated everything I built it all. I played Emily and Tony like fiddles. They never saw it coming."

He seethed, his hands trembling with rage. "You're nothing but a backstabbing snake. You always were."

"And you were always a fool. You couldn't see past your own ego. You let Helen Reed worm her way in, and you trusted her."

"Helen was loyal. She believed in me. Unlike you."

I shook my head, pity mixing with my disdain. "Loyal? She was using you, and you fell for it, hook, line, and sinker. That's why you divorced."

"You don't understand loyalty. You never did."

"Loyalty? To you? You never earned it. You never deserved it."

The room fell silent, the weight of our words hanging in the air. My father sat there, seething with anger, looking as though he would kill me at any moment. Then, in a sudden burst of rage, he snapped and lunged across the table, trying to reach me. His hands were handcuffed to the table, and the table was bolted to the floor, so he ended up awkwardly falling forward, hitting his face hard against the metal surface. I turned my head to avoid bursting out laughing.

"You're here to kick me while I'm down," he said, his voice muffled by the table.

"Exactly," I confirmed happily. "I wanted to see your face when I tell you about your new living arrangements with some of my old prison buddies."

He paled, his eyes wide with fear. "What do you mean?"

"You should have just lived like a normal person," I said, leaning closer. "But don't worry, my people will take good care of you in prison."

His face turned ashen as he realized the gravity of his situation. "Please, I'm begging you. You don't have to do this. Your siblings were better than you, yes, but you've proven yourself. You're good, better than I thought. Why do this?"

"Because it's what you deserve," I replied coldly. "Think seriously about whether you'll get away with assaulting the Azure family heir."

His eyes widened with realization. He was trapped, and he knew it. "That was a real adoption?"

"Guess mom didn't tell you that part, huh?" I stood up, looking down at him with contempt. "Look out for your butt," I advised before exiting the visitation room.

Outside, the warden waited for me with two correctional officers. She was still the same formidable presence, resembling the Trunchbull from Matilda. She walked me to my car, where Jasper was waiting. We had a quick and quiet exchange involving a final "donation" to ensure my dad and Tony wouldn't have a peaceful prison life.

"Make sure my old prison mates know exactly what to do and that my dad and Tony can't die," I instructed. "But no mercy."

The warden nodded. "They'll be miserable. I guarantee it."

As I climbed into the car, I felt a sense of grim satisfaction. My entire family had to go down, and they would receive no more mercy from me. This was my world now, and I was finally taking control.