Chapter 7
With both open and hidden support from Alvaro, getting the Patnick Woodworks back went surprisingly well.
In the wood industry, the most important parts are the patents, the facilities, and the supply chain. Since I had those, plus my background in running businesses and academic qualifications, rebuilding everything didn’t seem hard.
I didn’t show up at the press conference. Alvaro had already taken control of the situation and wouldn’t leave me alone the entire day. Honestly, I had no time to pretend in front of the cameras.
I was afraid he’d be bothered by all the red spots on me, but he softly kissed each spot. He didn’t show any disgust–only pain in his eyes.
At that moment, I was sure I had made the right choice.
The red spots will heal in time, my hair will grow again, and my body will slowly recover.
Things are finally starting to look up.
A few days later, I watched the video of the p
press conference,
Thanks to a little push from me, the Patnick family scandal spread like wildfire. Reporters from every major outlet swarmed the venue, ready to grab first–hand exclusive news at any time.
My father looked angry, my mother kept crying, and both of my kids. looked lost, switching their gaze between the camera and Eiden, who seemed just as upset.
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Chapter 7
Eiden kept watching the entrance, his face growing more frustrated by the
minute.
After one hour, he told himself maybe traffic was
the reason.
When another hour passed, he tried to believe the person might’ve.simply forgotten.
Three hours passed. Then four.
The reporters started to get restless, and their microphones were practically shoved in his face.
That was when Eiden finally understood that I wasn’t coming.
His eyes grew red, and he kept staring at the entrance, like he still hoped I’d walk in.
“Mr. Warrick, what do you think about Ms. Patnick’s marriage to the Italian mafia boss?” A reporter’s voice snapped him back to reality.
“What are you saying? Margaret is my wife!” he shouted.
He had completely forgotten about Lillian. His eyes were filled with anger and jealousy.
“What Italian mafia boss? He’s just a cripple! How could he deserve someone like Margaret?”
He kept dialing my number over and over, but no one picked up.
After more than ten tries, a rough woman’s voice finally answered, “Who is this?”
Then, a man’s calm voice followed, “Honey, focus.”
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Beep, beep, beep…
The call ended right after that.
The voices on the line were too suggestive. Anyone listening could guess what was happening.
The press conference went dead silent.
Eiden’s voice shook as he said, “Didn’t they say he was impotent?”
The reporters glanced around at each other, but no one spoke.
Suddenly, Lillian stood up and walked over to Eiden. “Hand over the company shares.”
“What?”
Eiden was still distracted by the phone call.
Lillian, clearly losing patience, snapped, “Give me the shares from the Patnick Woodworks!”
My father whispered, “Lilian, Margaret already took them back.”
My parents looked nervously at Lillian’s darkening expression, their hands reaching out to her cautiously.
“Lillian, don’t be upset. Even though we don’t have our shares anymore, everything will be okay as long as our family stays together…”
Before my father could touch her hand, Lillian smacked his hand away.
Lillian broke down and screamed, “Don’t touch me with your filthy. hands, you old man!
Chapter 7
“If it weren’t for those shares, do you really think I’d waste my time. looking after you two old fools?”
She yanked at her own hair, looking like she was going crazy.
“Three years! I’ve looked after all of you for three years! I did everything to please you. I made food, did the laundry, even hand–washed the socks and underwear of all four of you!
“You promised to treat me like your daughter and give me those shares. But in the end? I didn’t get a single cent!”
Callie was so frightened that she cried and called for Lillian. Dilan held on to her clothes, confused, and said, “Mommy, I’m hungry. Can we have pork ribs?”
Lillian shook his hand off violently. “Get lost! You even look like a pork
rib to me!”
She pointed her finger right at my father’s nose, her face twisted with rage, “You useless old fool! I don’t care what it takes, get that witch Margaret here right now and force her to hand over the shares!”
My father had always been cared for by me and never had to hear such cruel words. His face turned pale, then flushed red, and finally, his eyes. rolled back as he collapsed.
My mother dropped to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably.
She said, “Oh God, what kind of mess did I get myself into? I was blind. enough to treat that damn brat like my own daughter, while driving my real daughter away…”
T
The whole place was chaotic, and people were crying and yelling all at
once.
Chapter 7
Eiden was the only one still trying to call, again and again, but no one ever picked up.
I stared at the screen and watched his lips move silently. “Margaret, I was wrong. Please come back.”
