Chapter 48
“But don’t you dare mention my son. You’re not worthy.“}
The banquet hall fell into a stunned silence.
Moments later, Soren’s face darkened like storm clouds. “Melissa, watch your tone!“}
“My tone?” I scoffed, voice cold as ice. “You mean the title of Mrs. Hendricks?“}
“Well, honestly, I don’t care.”}
Soren’s glare sharpened his anger, brewing like thunder. “Not care?”
“If you didn’t care, then why did you secretly siphon my money to prop up your father, letting a nobody flaunt a Rolls–Royce?“} “If you had even a shred of backbone, you wouldn’t sneak around doing dirty favors for your maiden family!“}
Because I feared my background might weigh on Soren’s pride, I had once begged my father to keep a low profile.
However, due to a single slip of my father’s, Soren now believed that my family lived off his money.
I met Soren’s gaze with a faint, knowing smile and said softly, “Soren, you really underestimated me.“>
His mother shot me a sharp, disdainful glance and snapped, “I think you’re the one who’s overestimating yourself!“}
“If it weren’t for your lucky marriage into the Hendricks family, how could you have lived as a rich wife all these years?“}
“Since you’ve enjoyed the Hendricks family’s blessings, just be a good housewife and stop acting so ungrateful and shameful!“}
Upon hearing those words, the rest of the guests couldn’t resist joining in.§
“Exactly! That housewife is far too ungrateful. Soren is the richest man in the province, so many women would kill to be in her shoes!“> “If I were Mrs. Hendricks, I wouldn’t even mind my husband bringing other women home. I’d serve them all!“}
“When you marry into wealth, you should know your place. Don’t overestimate yourself.“}
“As expected, the more useless the woman, the bigger the attitude. Look at her, poor as dirt, no influence, always stirring up trouble!“} Amid the cruel laughter, Soren’s eyes bore into me with disdain.}
“I know you’re just jealous of Leigh.“>
“But she’s my secretary, from a good family, sharp and capable. Without her steady support, the Hendricks family wouldn’t have grown so fast.”
“And you? All you’ve done is raise a child. And now you can’t even manage that properly. What could you possibly compare to her?“> The claim that the Hendricks family’s success was all thanks to Leigh made me laugh quietly to myself.”
If it hadn’t been for me quietly funneling resources into the company and shielding it from ruthless rivals, the Hendricks Group would have been swallowed whole long ago, nothing left but ashes and bones.
Leigh gave a demure smile before turning to Soren and speaking in a soft voice.
“Brother Soren, you once said Melissa was excellent at raising Caius. But it seems he’s clever all because of your remarkable genes.“> “He’s on track to become a top student at the University of Vermont and will someday inherit the Hendricks legacy. Honestly, I worry that Melissa’s temper and nature might have a harmful influence on him…”
At her words, Soren’s brow furrowed, a flicker of irritation crossing his face.
He looked at me, his voice like ice. “Melissa, I was originally going to let you raise Leigh’s child, as thanks for how well you raised Caius.“} “But look at how you’ve spoiled him. Out all night, ignoring calls today.”
“If you want to be reckless, that’s your choice. But don’t drag down the Hendricks family’s heir. I invited all these business elites today to help him build connections, to pave his way.“}
“My son, my son, must be someone admired. Respected.“}
As I watched Soren speak with such righteous conviction, like some noble father, a sharp pain twisted in my chest.
I said softly, “Stop pretending to be a good father.”
D
1
