Chapter 59: Confrontations and Revelations
Chapter 59: Confrontations and Revelations
(Elena’s POV) “I just think you and I are very compatible.” Adrian Whitmore’s eyes fell on his mother, “Besides, my mother is close to you, so you deserve this reward.”
I watched Dorothea Whitmore gently rock her carved wolf pup figurine, humming a soft lullaby. The peaceful scene on the cruise ship felt surreal compared to the chaos in my life. The gentle breeze from the Crimson River carried the scent of wildflowers. I found myself genuinely curious about Dorothea’s condition.
“Adrian, may I ask what happened to your mother?” I set down my coffee cup carefully. “Given status, it seems unusual for someone to develop such severe mental instability”
your family’s
Adrian’s expression grew somber. His amber eyes reflected deep pain as he watched his mother.
“She lost my sister at birth,” he said quietly “The trauma caused a complete mental breakdown. She’s never recovered from believing her daughter is still alive somewhere.”
My heart clenched with unexpected sympathy. Tm sorry for your loss”
Adrian nodded, his voice heavy with old grief. “She always insists her daughter will come home someday. That’s why she calls you ‘Sweetheart – she thinks you’re her.”
I felt a strange pang of envy. Even in her broken state, Dorothea showed more maternal love than I’d ever experienced.
“I envy those who have parental love,” I admitted softly. “I was abandoned at birth. I’ve always craved that kind of unconditional affection.”
Adrian studied my face with gentle understanding. “Perhaps that’s why she’s drawn to you. She senses that need.”
I smiled bitterly. “At least now I’m free of any ties that bind me.”
The afternoon rain had started by the time Adrian’s driver brought me back to Moonhaven Estate. As I stepped out of the vehicle, the scent of smoke hit my nostrils.
Marcus stood by the trash can, a cigarette between his fingers. His golden eyes were cold as winter ice when they fixed on me.
T
“Was that photo sent to my mother by you?” His voice was dangerously quiet.
I didn’t flinch under his stare. “Yes, I sent it.”
Marcus’s jaw tightened. “How did you even know about it?” I pulled out my phone and showed him the chat record from the institute’s work group. “Sophia shared it herself. She even congratulated you on having such a ‘big son.”
Marcus’s face darkened like a storm cloud. He grabbed my face roughly, his fingers digging into my cheeks.
“Elena, did I ever tell you not to drag Sophia into our business? His voice was low and threatening. “Are your trying to provoke her? Or use my mother against us?”
I met his gaze defiantly despite the pain. “I was helping you both. If the Blackwood family acknowledges the,
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Chapter 59 Confrontation
pup, you’ll have an heir.”
Marcus’s grip tightened. That pup is not mine.”
“Then why are you so angry?” I challenged him. “If he’s not yours, what does it matter what people think?”
Marcus released me abruptly and crushed his cigarette in the ashtray. “Don’t do anything unnecessary”
I scoffed and headed toward the Master Suite. “It’s none of my business whether the child is yours or not.”
Inside my chamber, I heard the sound of Marcus’s vehicle leaving. It no longer mattered to me where he went
or who he was with
Two days later, I accompanied Dorothea Whitmore to the Silverbrook Shopping District. Adrian walked beside us, his protective presence reassuring.
Dorothea stopped in front of a boutique window, her eyes lighting up with childlike wonder. “Look at those beautiful dresses! I want to buy one for my Sweetheart.”
She turned to me with excitement. “You should get one too, dear”
Adrian smiled warmly. “That’s a wonderful idea, Mother. Let’s go i
inside.”
Inside the Valentino store, Dorothea moved toward the dress displays with eager hands. A saleswoman immediately stepped forward with a harsh expression,
“Don’t touch it if you’re not buying,” she snapped. “This dress is expensive. If you get it dirty, you won’t be able to afford to pay for it!”
Her tone was clearly discriminatory, targeting Dorothea’s obvious mental condition.
Another saleswoman joined in with cruel laughter. “Look at this crazy woman thinking she can shop here.”
My blood boiled at their callous treatment. “Apologize to her immediately.”
The saleswomen exchanged mocking glances. “Why should we apologize to someone like her?”
Just then, Heidi Cross entered the store with her Designer Leather Handbag. The saleswomen’s attitudes shifted instantly, becoming more confident with their VIP customer’s presence.
“Mrs. Cross!” one saleswoman called out. “We are so sorry. These people are causing trouble.”
Heidi Cross looked me up and down with disdain. “Shopping at luxury stores without the means? How embarrassing.”
I met her gaze steadily. “Is spending your husband’s ill–gotten gains on vanity any better?”
Heidi’s face flushed with rage. “How dare you mention my husband’s situation!”
Dorothea suddenly pointed at Heidi and declared loudly, “Old witch!”
The saleswoman quickly whispered to Heidi, “Don’t argue with a mentally unstable person.”
I smiled coldly. “Like attracts like. No wonder you’re close to Sophia Rivers.”
Heidi’s eyes flashed with panic. I don’t know what you’re talking about.
But her intense reaction told me everything I needed to know about her connection to the corruption case.
“Get them out!” Heidi ordered the saleswomen.
Chapter 59 Confrontation.
Just then, Adrian and Benjamin Hayes appeared in the doorway. Adrian’s face darkened as he witnessed the
saleswomen attempting to physically remove us.
Dorothea ran to her son with tears in her eyes. “Baby, they’re bullying us!”
Adrian’s voice was deadly calm. “No one will dare to bully you, Mother.”
Heidi scoffed dismissively. “Young man, don’t meddle in affairs that don’t concern you.”
Adrian smiled faintly and presented his black card to the stunned saleswoman. “Clear the store”
The saleswoman’s eyes widened in shock as she recognized the exclusive card. “You’re… you’re the heir of
the Whitmore family from Riverside City!”
Heidi’s face went pale as the reality of the situation hit her. The saleswoman confirmed the card’s
authenticity with trembling hands.
“Clear the store immediately” Adrian repeated with quiet authority.
The saleswoman turned to Heidi urgently. “Mrs. Cross, you need to leave now.”
I stepped forward, blocking Heidi’s path. “Not until she apologizes to Dorothea for insulting her.”
Adrian seemed to be genuinely surprised by my’s demand, I could see Dorothea’s dignity was barely cared by other people. But I did care it. I felt close to her.
Under the weight of the Whitmore family’s influence, Heidi reluctantly mumbled an apology to Dorothea. The saleswomen followed suit with their own grudging apologies.
I praised Dorothea warmly. “See? They know they were wrong to treat you badly.”
(Heidi’s POV)
After leaving the shopping mall in humiliation, I sat in my car with shaking hands and dialed Sophia’s
number.
“What do you want?” Sophia’s voice was irritated
“I saw Elena with someone from the Whitmore family of Riverside City,” I said urgently. “Does Marcus know
about this?”
My voice cracked with worry. “I’m afraid Elena knows about William Cross. What if she exposes everything?”
Sophia’s tone became calculating. “Stay calm. I’ve already come up with a win–win way to deal with her.”
“Don’t worry,” she continued with cold confidence. “I already have a plan.”
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