Chapter 486
486
I didn’t
say
another word. I just turned and walked away.
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Irvin didn’t stop me, either.
But the moment I left, the strength he had been barely holding onto gave out. Leaning against the wall for support, he suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood.
He used to laugh whenever we watched TV together and saw those overly dramatic scenes where someone was so heartbroken they spat blood. He would scoff and call it ridiculous.
He never thought it was something that could happen in real life, not until after we separated. That was when he realized- when the pain was truly unbearable, the body really could break like that.
Thomas Dosley, his assistant, had been frantically looking for him. They had an urgent matter to handle. When he finally found Irvin, he opened his mouth to speak but stopped cold.
He saw Irvin, blood on his lips, barely able to stand.
Terrified, Thomas rushed forward. “Mr. Hardwell, what happened to you?”
“I’m fine.” Irvin waved him off weakly.
But there was no way anyone would believe he was fine. Thomas was visibly worried.
Irvin had always been generous with his subordinates. He commanded a kind of natural loyalty through his presence and character in the business world. That made it easy for him to earn the trust and loyalty of those around him.
Thomas was one of the most loyal subordinates.
He also happened to know Irvin’s real identity. And because he knew that, he also understood everything between me and Irvin
-every detail of our tangled past.
So when he saw me walking away, all he wanted was to do anything for the man he so deeply respected.
I returned to the banquet hall, scanning the room for William, hoping to find him. But I spotted Jeremy approaching before I could, with Mom at his side.
My expression immediately darkened.
Even though I had officially cut ties with Henry, I had kept my distance from Mom too. My feelings toward her had faded to nothing more than an obligation, just enough to ensure she would be cared for when she was old.
So even though this engagement party was being held in Claudeville, I never planned to invite her.
But Jeremy had brought her anyway.
Being twins, he and I had always understood each other best. When he saw me frown, he knew exactly what I was thinking. Over the years, as my research gained recognition and the two companies under my name steadily grew, Jeremy’s attitude toward me had changed for the better. He genuinely wanted to rebuild our relationship.
And now that I was marrying William–with the status, connections, and unimaginable wealth that came with that—he was even more eager to stay close.
So, when he saw my reaction, he rushed to explain, “Emi, I had no choice! Mom said if I didn’t let her in, she was going to hurt herself!”
He looked genuinely distressed.
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+25 BONUS
Jeremy knew exactly how strained things were between me and our mother. He also knew how much I didn’t want her at this engagement party, especially not today.
But she was still his mother. He just couldn’t stand there and watch her hurt herself
Our parents had always treated him well, and his bond with them was still strong
Before I could respond, he quickly added, “Don’t worry. I talked to her. She swore she was only here to wish you well and nothing else.
“She just feels that since you’re having your engagement party right here in Claudeville, but didn’t invite her, she’ll never be able to show her face in public again.”
Jeremy also felt that since my engagement party was being held practically at our doorstep, not inviting Mom would make it impossible for her to show her face in social circles afterward. That was why he brought her in, even though he knew I didn’t want her there.
But before his promise could even settle in the air, Mom proved him wrong spectacularly.
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