Chapter 149: Chapter 149: Negotiate with Lucretia
Lucretia was shocked to hear her son suddenly bring up his previous proposal. She had been trying to repent for all the sins she had committed against her innocent daughter in law. Since her daughter in law’s accident and subsequent miscarriage, she had cried and couldn’t eat all day. Now, her son had suddenly changed his mind. What was going through his mind now? Had she been too harsh on him for marrying another woman?
"Matthias, what’s really wrong with you? Weren’t you really in love with Victoria before?"
"I still love her, Mom. But after thinking it over, I realized what you said earlier was true. I’d rather marry Amber than marry Victoria because I failed to make her happy. I’m really a fool."
Lucretia folded her arms. "I still find your reasoning very strange. You were so reluctant to marry Amber before. Now you suddenly want to marry her. Is it because you harbor a hidden grudge against her?"
"Because I feel like the recent incidents we’ve been experiencing have something to do with me. Two years ago, Victoria was in an accident, but there wasn’t a single recording of the accident left anywhere. Then, yesterday, Victoria and I were targeted again." Matthias pointed to his forehead and bandaged hand. "This is the aftermath of that accident. Marcel is still in the hospital, but Victoria is the only one unharmed because I protected her."
Lucretia’s eyes widened as she examined her son’s physical condition, slightly panicked. "You should have told me from the start!"
"Telling you won’t solve the problem. The only way is to end my relationship with Victoria."
"But have you thought this through?" Lucretia took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly. "Just as I was beginning to approve of your relationship, you suddenly wanted to end it. It’s actually a shame if you suddenly break up just because of this unreasonable reason."
Matthias held his mother’s hand with a confident look. "I did it suddenly not because I hate her. But I love her very much. In order to end all these problems, I have to let her go. If I continue with her, then her life will be more and more endangered."
"Do you also remember the deal I made with Gianna before?"
"Yes, that’s partly why. If I dared to marry her daughter, they wouldn’t just sit idly by. Especially now that her biological daughter holds all the power. Even though her biological daughter doesn’t seem particularly cunning, I have a bad feeling about her."
"Matthias, if you wanted to end your relationship, didn’t you think Victoria would hate you so much? This time she definitely won’t be joking and will want to divorce you if you suddenly hurt her like this."
"It’s better for her to hate me than for her to keep chasing me, but she will be in trouble if he continues to be with me."
Lucretia rolled her eyes as she leisurely finished her lunch. "I won’t interfere in your affairs anymore. Okay, I’ll let you marry Amber."
"Thank you, Mom."
"If Victoria cries for days, it’s not my fault. You have to remember that. I gave you the chance to have a good relationship with her."
"Don’t worry, Mom. I can definitely fix our relationship."
Lucretia rested her chin on her hands for a moment. "But is it true that you never slept with Amber? How could Amber have gotten pregnant if you hadn’t done it?"
Matthias rolled his eyes. "Mom, I’ve told you many times before. Amber and I never slept together. In fact, I’ve only slept with Victoria. That’s why Victoria got pregnant with me."
"So, can it be concluded that Amber has been lying to me all this time?"
"You finally realized it, Mom!"
"If you know she lied to me on purpose, why do you still want to marry her?"
A sly smile spread across his handsome face. "Because I have other plans. You just have to see."
"If Amber really did cheat on me, she’s too much! I should have trusted Victoria from the start!"
"That’s why for the past two years, I’ve been constantly telling you that only Victoria can make me happy. It’s pointless for you to match me with other women. I’m so fed up!"
*****
Meanwhile, D&C Group was holding an emergency board meeting to officially appoint Fransisca as the group’s owner after the reading of the will. As the entire board of commissioners overwhelmingly approved her appointment, she displayed a friendly smile and bowed her head respectfully. Now she wouldn’t have to struggle to wrest all this wealth from her half sister.
Victoria actually knew there was a board meeting today. During the ceremony to officially inaugurate Fransisca as the primary heir, Victoria barged into the meeting room, glaring furiously at each member of the board.
"I never thought you’d betray me. Even though I never contributed to the D&C Group, you stabbed me in the back!"
The old man slammed his fist on the table. "Watch your mouth, Victoria! Your father’s gone, and you’re still acting recklessly!"
"Isn’t it more likely that you guys are being reckless? You’re entrusting our group to one inexperienced person."
"Actually, we still chose Fransisca as the primary heir because she’s more deserving than you. All this time, you’ve only been running away from your father’s messed up business!"
"I’m not running away, but I’m actually thinking about how to get our business back on track."
Meanwhile, another elderly man laughed in annoyance, pointing at Victoria from a distance. "If you hadn’t had any contact with CEO Matthias, none of this would have happened!"
"Wait a minute! That incident at the D&C Group’s anniversary, weren’t you the one who fell down the stairs? I heard you had a miscarriage. Aren’t you married yet?" asked another elderly man.
"Can it be concluded that Victoria was pregnant out of wedlock all this time?" The elderly woman in a maroon professional suit looked at the entire board of commissioners. "A rash heir doesn’t deserve it. The more competent Fransisca should."