Chapter_21
Chapter 21
“Son,” Julianna said softly, pulling Adrien aside. “I think… we should maintain a distance from Emmeline Louise.”
Adrien shrugged off his mother’s grip, his expression unreadable. “She’s the mother of my children. How could I just stand by and do nothing when she’s in trouble?”
Julianna’s tone hardened. “She’s too feral, son. She’ll never listen to you if you marry her.” Her eyes narrowed as she tried to make Adrien see reason, but he merely stared at her, not responding.
Emmeline was still reeling from Abel’s offer to pay the Lanes for all the damage she had caused. “Mr. Ryker, I…” she started, but Abel cut her off before she could finish.
“Don’t worry about it,” he said, his voice emotionless. “Treat it as a personal loan. You can pay me back slowly.”
Before Emmeline could speak again, Ethan rushed over and grabbed Abel’s hand, shaking it enthusiastically. “Mr. Ryker, thank you so much! I’ll work hard to help my sister pay off the loan, don’t you worry!” His voice was filled with genuine gratitude.
Abel gave him a brief, emotionless nod before retracting his hand from Ethan’s grip.
Alana, furious, watched from the sidelines. “Mr. Ryker! How could you…” she whined, but Abel had already turned to leave. She spun around to Rosaline, her eyes wide with disbelief. “Auntie Rosaline, how could Abel side with an outsider like Emmeline? I’m the one who gave you a grandchild!”
Rosaline’s lips tightened into a thin line. “I know, child. But you went too far tonight, Alana. I’m only letting you off this time because of Timothy.”
Alondra stepped in with a sly smile, moving toward Rosaline. “My niece is a woman of good character and upbringing. She will surely bear you more grandchildren in the future!” Her tone was sweet, but there was a hidden edge beneath it.
Rosaline’s eyes softened for a moment. “That would be best. I’m not losing to that old hag!” she muttered under her breath, her eyes flicking to Alana’s now-ruined face.
As the conversation shifted, Alondra turned her attention to Adrien, who was standing by with a thoughtful expression. “Mr. Ryker,” she began, smoothing her dress. “I’m Emmeline’s stepmother, Alondra. I know the girl inside out. She probably can’t bear another child after having triplets. You should really think this through,” she urged.
Rosaline’s eyes widened in concern. “Is that true?” she asked, her voice tinged with panic. “That will not do. I would still like to have two granddaughters. If Emmeline cannot bear more children, what do we need her for?”
“You can’t take in her three children either!” Rosaline continued, her voice hardening. “They’re rude and ill-mannered, and they would only bring shame to the Ryker family.”
Adrien’s face darkened. “That won’t do,” he said firmly. “They are my children, no matter what. I can’t just abandon them.”
Rosaline sighed in resignation. “I suppose you’re right,” she admitted, her eyes softening. “They’re young, and it’s not too late to teach them manners.”
Alondra, growing increasingly irritated, threw her hands up. “Well, don’t say I didn’t warn you! Emmeline, it’s about time you felt the pain of having your children taken away from you!” With that, she turned and walked off, leaving behind a tense silence.
—
After leaving the Lane family villa, Emmeline immediately called Benjamin. “Benjamin, organize a networking session hosted by Adelmar Group. I need to find a way to help my brother and Grace out,” she instructed, her tone determined.
Benjamin wasted no time and got to work preparing the event over the next two days. Three days later, the Adelmar Group hotel buzzed with activity as businessmen from various industries gathered for the networking session. Among them were representatives from the Rykers, the Lanes, and the Louises.
Ethan had received an invitation as well, but he hesitated. The invite had come under the assumption that he was still the deputy CEO of Louise Corporation, but he’d been dismissed by his father, largely due to Alondra’s influence.
“You should still go anyway!” Emmeline urged, pouring Ethan a cup of coffee as she sat across from him. “Maybe an opportunity will come up!”
Ethan sighed, shaking his head. “Who would give me an opportunity now that I’m no longer affiliated with Louise Corporation? No matter how many smart ideas I have, there’s nowhere for me to go.”
Emmeline thought for a moment. “Didn’t a company approach you last time?” she recalled. “It could happen again, but you have to stay positive!”
Ethan grimaced. “Yeah, they thought I was still with Louise Corporation, but I couldn’t lie to them,” he said, feeling frustrated.
“You’re overthinking it, Ethan! Why don’t I go with you?” Emmeline offered, standing up to head upstairs.
Ethan hesitated but then nodded. “Alright, then! I’ll feel a lot better with you around.”
Emmeline nodded, reminding the nanny on her way up to prepare food for the children, then went upstairs to get ready.
By the time they arrived at the Adelmar Hotel, the event was already in full swing. Abel Ryker stood at the center of the room, dressed in a sharp gray suit, his presence commanding attention. Beside him stood Alana Lane, who was doing her best to appear composed, though her eyes still burned with resentment.
Alana had tagged along with her father, the CEO of Lane Corporation, while Alondra and her husband, Maxwell Louise, mingled nearby.
Maxwell spotted his daughter walking in and made a move to greet her, but Alondra stopped him with a gentle but firm hand on his arm. “Not yet,” she muttered, her eyes narrowing as she studied the scene ahead. The tension in the air was palpable, and Emmeline could feel the weight of it as she entered the room with Ethan by her side.
