Chapter 120: Get Lost!
Grandmother had now come over because of the commotion that had been stirred up. Upon noticing Grandmother’s arrival, Wendy approached her and said, "Grandmother, we have to head off first. When we have time, we’ll Come by again to visit." In a low voice she added, "Although those opportunities might be few, I think."
Grandmother knew that Winnie wanted to get Michael and Yonina together. So when Yonina had arrived, she had had her concerns. She had not expected that Wendy would meet Yonina.
By the looks of it, the friction between her daughter-in-law, Winnie, and her granddaughter-in-law had been sparked into flames.
Sighing, Grandmother stretched out her hand and held onto Wendy. Patting the back of her hand, she comforted her, "We will see each other again. As long as I am alive, no one else but myself will make decisions for the Lucas family. When I crave having your lotus cakes in the future, you have to make them for me."
At this point, it no longer mattered so much whether Wendy agreed or not. Moreover, with the crowd present, she could not make things uncomfortable for Grandmother. Nodding, Wendy agreed, " Sure, Grandmother. We’ll head off then."
Letting go of Grandmother’s hand, Wendy took Jake’s hand and left.
Grandma had initially planned for Wendy to spend the night in the main house and take this opportunity to mend her relationship with Michael. However, thanks to what Winnie had done, a bitter taste was left in everyone’s mouths.
Grandmother nudged Michael’s foot with her walking stick. "Hurry, go on and send them out," she whispered.
Michael knew that Wendy was still mad.
Touching his nose, he hesitated briefly before running after Wendy with all eyes watching.
With the way things had unfolded, the onlookers now somewhat understood the situation. Winnie wanted to set Michael up with Yonina, while Grandmother wanted to help reunite Corrine and Michael. It seemed like the old rumor that Grandmother greatly favored Wendy as her granddaughter-in-law was true. It did not matter whether Corrine truly was Wendy; what was clear was that Grandmother still supported Wendy.
The one who left most displeased about the present situation was, of course, Winnie. Since Grandmother had personally defended Wendy, Winnie could only hold in all her displeasure.
With this, her dislike of Wendy only grew. Winnie would simply have to wait for another opportunity to arise to bring Yonina and Michael together.
Wendy held onto Jake’s hand and headed towards the garage. Upset, she reprimanded Jake, "Why did you have to call Michael your father, Jake? Do you see him as your father?"
"No, Mummy," Jake explained, knowing that Wendy was unhappy. "I just was displeased when I saw him hold that woman’s hand. Wasn’t he trying to date you? How could he change his mind so quickly? How could I let him have his way, right Mummy?"
Just then, Michael finally caught up to them and overheard Jake’s comment about how Michael had held another woman’s hand and it had irked him.
No wonder others often thought of daughters as being a comfort to their parents, while his son only knew how to add to his pain. Michael had been far from holding Yonina’s hand; in fact, it had been Winnie who had forced that upon him.
Moreover, once he’d realized it, he had withdrawn his hand. At most, it should be regarded as a mere touch of hands, something far from hand-holding!
"He held that woman’s hand just now?" Wendy snickered, "I guess I overestimated him."
Since returning to Lake City, Wendy had been turning Michael down. In secret, however, she wanted him to take an interest in her. After all, the reason she had returned was for revenge.
She wanted Michael to feel the pain and despair that she had once experienced.
It was unexpected that he had lost interest in her so quickly. Men lacking character would certainly never change for the better. Even without Yvonne, there was Yonina.
After making sure that Jake was safely in the car, Wendy went around to the driver’s seat, intending to drive off. Just as she was about to close the car door, a hand stopped her. Wendy tilted her head to look at the person intervening.
Sarcastically, she asked, "Mr. Lucas, what are you doing here instead of accompanying Miss Collins?"
"I’m here to accompany Ms. Stewart." Michael began to study Wendy’s look of annoyance, noting how the corner of her mouth was curled ever so slightly. Leaning against the open car door, he continued, "My place is in the same direction as yours, Ms. Stewart. May I have the honor of hitching a ride?"
"No. Get lost." Without warning, Wendy shoved Michael away.
However, even with all her might, Michael remained rooted to the spot, his arm casually leaning against her car door, keeping her it open.
"Michael" Wendy hollered in apparent displeasure. "Move away!"
Michael could tell it was not appropriate to tease Wendy further and began sincerely trying to explain himself, "Wendy, I don’t know why Yonina Collins was pestering me. I don’t care for her at all. All of this was my mother’s work. She might have believed that you were dead since you had vanished for five years and didn’t want to see me remain a widower. Maybe that’s why-"
"Hah!" Wendy snorted. "Mr. Lucas, there is no need for you to explain things to me. After all, we aren’t so deeply acquainted."
"Wendy, are you... jealous?" Michael probed.
Jealousy was a ridiculous emotion to describe Wendy’s feelings at that point. She believed that all she felt for Michael was hatred. To return to Lake City was all part of her plan to seek him out for revenge. However, since Michael believed that she was jealous, Wendy decided to continue that act for him.
With a solemn look, she snuffed, "Jealous? Mr. Lucas, what kind of relationship are we in for me to be experiencing jealousy? Whoever you choose to date is none of my business. I don’t have a right to be jealous. Right now, I’d like to leave with my son. Please, move away."
By saying this, Wendy seemed to be drawing a line between herself and Michael, while conveying her rage. At this, Michael smiled.
He stepped away from the car door and reached over to hold Wendy’s hand, "Of course, you have the right to. Only you have such a right."
"Are you trying to say that I’m your wife again?" Wendy withdrew her hand and sneered.
"Regardless of whether I am Wendy, Mr. Lucas, are you forgetting what your mother has said about me in front of so many others? Not just about me, but about Jake. Do you think, with how things are right now, the Lucas family will accept me?"
"As long as you see yourself as such, no one else can deny who you are," Michael responded, wearing a serious expression. All he wanted was Wendy’s word. Although Winnie was his mother, she would not be able to force him into doing something he was not willing to do.
Moreover, she was not the most authoritative person in the Lucas family at the moment. Her relationship with Anthony left her on shaky ground as a member of the family.
"Excuse me, but I will not acknowledge myself in that way," Wendy reached over once more and pushed Michael away. "It’s late, please let go. I would like to head home. After all, we are working at the same company so we will definitely meet again. Must you make a big fuss Out of things before you back off, Mr. Lucas?"
"Wendy, I meant all that I’ve just said," Michael raised his hand as he vowed, "Whether my mother believes it or not, whether she acknowledges you and your identity or not, my stance will not change. I did not treasure you in the past, but I intend to do so, for you and Jake, with all that I have from now on."
"We don’t need anyone," Wendy said. "I can take care of my own son."
"Wendy..."
"Let go of me, Michael. Or else you will be sorry."
Wendy started the engine then, prepared to drive off at any time. At that moment, half of Michael’s body still rested on the car window.
He would definitely get injured if she drove off now.
Michael recalled when Wendy had clamped his hand with the door the last time. It still hurt, thinking about it. He’s pretty sure that Wendy had already made her mind up. If he let her go now without explaining the whole incident, it would just make things worse later on.
"Let me in the car, then I will let go." Michael requested shamelessly, "Since we are going in the same direction, it won’t be troublesome for you."
Wendy knew for certain then that if she refused his request, he would never give up.
"Alright then, hop on." She reluctantly agreed with an awkward smile on her face.
Michael didn’t expect Wendy to give in so quickly, thinking that she might not have listened to his explanation early on. Yet, he had a funny feeling... As he let go of the window and went around the car to head to the passenger seat, he realized that Wendy had started the engine and was about to drive off.
The headlights came on just as he stood in front of the car. He quickly covered his eyes with his arm to protect them from the bright lights. Wendy had lied.
Michael could not open his eyes thanks to the glaring lights, but he still would not move. He knew that as soon as he stepped aside, Wendy would definitely drive away.
"Wendy..." Michael called out helplessly, trying to stop her car with his arm. "I know that you hate me for not saving you five years ago. But I did choose to save you. The kidnapper forced me to choose one person to save, and I picked you! But they didn’t play according to the book and pushed you into the sea. I wanted to save you too, but I was knocked out by the kidnappers. When I woke up, it was the next day. I’ve lost track of you since then, and for the past five years I’ve been looking for you."
Michael had always wanted to explain to Wendy what had happened five years ago. But she had never revealed her true identity, so Michael couldn’t do so. It was obvious that Wendy had misunderstood what had happened between him and Yonina today. If Michael did not explain it now, the misunderstanding would only deepen.
To Wendy’s ears, Michael’s words felt like a joke.
She didn’t understand why Michael had become cold towards Yvonne, compared to five years ago when he had loved her the most. He had even left her alone at the ball for Yvonne. Worst yet, he had forced her to have an abortion when he’d found out that she was pregnant.
Wendy didn’t believe a single word of his. Even if it was true, so what? The kidnapping incident hadn’t been the only time he had betrayed her Wendy placed her foot on the accelerator, her tone calm and emotionless as she called out, "Before I count to three, move out of the way or get run over by me."
"One..." Wendy looked at Michael who was blocking her way without any sympathy. "Two..."
The sound of Wendy counting down echoed in Michael’s ears. All the memories from five years ago flashed through his mind. The kidnappers had counted down the same way.
At that time, Michael had watched Wendy in danger, helpless to do anything. At this moment, he stood still, unable to move a single step. The only thought going through his mind was to not let Wendy leave with anger and misunderstanding. Even if Wendy did run him over....
