Chapter 42: A Satisfactory Answer
Christian’s prediction turned out to be true. Wendy received a call from Mrs. Lucas right before she got off work, requesting for the trio to go back to the mansion that night. Since Wendy no longer owned a car, Christian offered her a ride. Otherwise, she would have to take a cab back.
Taking a cab back was not an issue for Wendy. However, she knew that if Mrs. Lucas saw her doing that, she would be worried. Hence, Wendy decided to accept Christian’s offer without hesitation. Just when she pulled open the door, a sharp whistle rang out beside her. Michael’s car pulled to a halt.
Rolling down his windows, Michael said coldly, "Get in my car."
Even though Wendy still felt resistance toward Christian, she still preferred to sit in his car over Michael’s. Her heart sank at the reminder of Michael heading to the hospital after dropping her off at home a few days earlier.
Seeing Wendy’s insistence on entering Christian’s car, Michael’s tone grew sterner.
"Wendy Stewart, we’re on our way to the mansion. Now that everyone in the company knows that you are my wife, what do you think will happen if you take Christian’s car instead? Are you trying to ruin my family’s reputation? If you do that, how can you possibly bring yourself to face Grandmother, who dotes on you so much?"
Wendy did not care what Michael thought of her, but Mrs. Lucas was a different story. After all, it was true that Mrs. Lucas had always doted on her.
Christian did not make things difficult for her. Smiling, he said, "Michael is right. I only offered you a ride just now because I know that you don’t have a car to drive. Since Michael is willing to take you with him, it’s better if you go with him. After all, Grandmother is rather particular about this type of thing."
Wendy felt put off by his words. Her temper instantly flared up, saying, "He lets me take his car when he’s in the mood, and when he’s not, he humiliates me and kicks me out. Am I just a toy in your eyes?" With that, Wendy’s lips curved into a mocking smile.
"But if you don’t take Michael’s car back, it’d be so much more inconvenient for you," said Christian, "And if you take a cab, other people will gossip about it."
When Wendy heard that, she turned around and approached the driver’s side of the car. She pulled open the door and told Christian, "Get out. Take Michael’s car instead."
Her actions came as a shock to Christian. With his mouth slightly agape, he first pointed at himself in shock, then at Michael. He said, "Wendy, are you asking me to sit in the same car as my brother?"
"You don’t want to?" Wendy’s tone sounded neutral, but anyone who paid more attention could tell how unhappy she sounded.
This made it difficult for Christian to admit his reluctance. He pursed his lips, smiling. Then, he obediently got out of the car. After Wendy took over in the driver’s seat, she immediately drove off.
Christian touched his nose and walked over to Michael’s vehicle. He pulled over the door of the passenger seat only to discover it locked. He said, "Michael, if you refuse to let me get in, I’ll have to ask Wendy to turn around and pick me up."
Michael’s face darkened. He said coldly, "Go to the back."
Christian stepped backward and pulled open the door to the backseat. He had just gotten into the car but before he could even buckle his
seatbelt, Michael drove off abruptly. Christian was thrown forward, causing his head to collide with the back of the driver’s seat. The impact made him feel dizzy.
"Michael, that was unnecessary," said Christian innocently. "You can’t blame me when Wendy was the one who kicked me out of my own car."
"Christian, what exactly did you tell Grandmother for her to put so much trust in you now? I can’t believe she’s even asking you to attend our meetings." Michael’s voice was low and filled with anger.
"What could I possibly have said to Grandmother? Perhaps she’s just being sentimental because l am a descendant of the Lucas family after all, or perhaps she feels that she owes it to me to be inclusive after all that I’ve been through," Christian casually responded.
Michael had in fact figured out an idea of the excuses Christian had used with Mrs. Lucas, but he could not be sure yet. He said, "I believe that the last time you spoke privately with Grandmother, you told her that your interference in my relationship with Wendy will only benefit us."
This was not difficult to figure out at all. Christian had never been close to Mrs. Lucas in the first place, and she was someone who cared very much about the family’s reputation. The last time that they went back, Mrs. Lucas had been furious. However, after her private chat with Christian, her anger subsided immensely. On top of that, she did not request Wendy leave her job as Christian’s assistant.
After putting much thought into it, Michael guessed that this made the most sense. He thought, Grandmother has always hoped that Wendy and I will be happy as a couple. If Christian had eloquently framed his approach as one that was meant to make me jealous and help with our relationship, it’s likely that Grandmother would have believed his lies. He continued, "Otherwise, there’s no reason why Grandmother would summon you back with us this time."
"Michael, you’re just as smart as I expected" Christian sighed, and then said helplessly, "Unfortunately, your discovery of my plot has made it impossible for me to help you and Wendy now.
"Christian, we’re the only two people in this car, so you don’t have to lie. We both know that you’re not really doing this to help my relationship with Wendy."
"You’re right, I’m not doing this to help your relationship with Wendy," Christian chuckled. "But what can you do about that? Grandmother believes me."
"You’re not just trying to get into Grandmother’s good books, are you? You’re eyeing Wendy as well" Michael’s tone grew much sterner, and he said threateningly, "Christian Lucas, you had better not develop any funny ideas about Wendy. If you hurt her in any way, I will never let you get away with it."
When Christian heard this, he burst out laughing, "Michael, that’s hilarious. Between the two of us, who do you think has hurt Wendy more? You don’t even love her, SO why are you forcing her to stay with you? Now that she has finally agreed to get a divorce, isn’t it better for you to just let her go?"
"Do you genuinely love her?" Michael’s tone was filled with hatred. "You just want to steal her from me to prove how successful you are. You want to be able to tell me that no matter how much Wendy used to love me in the past, you were able to make her fall for you instead. Christian, don’t you feel despicable for getting a woman involved in the war between us? I really pity Wendy for wanting to get divorced because she believes that your feelings for her are genuine."
"Michael, how do you know that my feelings for Wendy aren’t genuine?" Christian decided to be honest, saying, "I took a liking to her the first time I met her at Grandmother’s birthday celebration. As you know, love is a magical thing, and I did fall in love at first sight."
Michael did not believe a word Christian was saying. Their conversation ended just like that. Things grew quiet again. Soon enough, they arrived at the mansion.
The two vehicles drove through the entrance. Wendy got out of the car and returned Christian’s key to him when she saw him approach. The trio then entered the living room together.
Mrs. Lucas was sitting on the couch. When she spotted them arriving, she did not question or scold them. Instead, she asked in a calm voice, "You all haven’t had dinner, right? Come and eat first." With that, she turned around and walked toward the dining room.
Wendy was surprised by Mrs. Lucas’s request for them to dine together. However, since she had already spoken her intention for a family meal, and because it was true that none of them had gotten to eat after leaving the office, they followed her into the dining room.
Besides the three of them, Michael’s parents were also present at the dining table. Even though it was a party of six, it was unusually quiet. The quietness felt unnatural. Soon, Anthony Lucas put down his utensils and said,
"I’m done eating. I still have some work to do. Please enjoy your meal." With that, he got up and left.
Winnie Lucas imitated Anthony’s actions shortly after. Standing up, she told Michael and Wendy, "Come with me since you’re done eating, I need to speak to the both of you."
Wendy had barely taken a few bites, but she did not dare to refuse her mother-in-law. With her head slightly bowed, she muttered her agreement and trailed after Winnie.
Winnie entered the living room. She sat down on the couch, looked Wendy up and down, and said in an unhappy tone, "Wendy, now that everyone knows about your identity at the company, I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before the public finds out about it, too. Can you tell me what you were thinking?"
Winnie rarely interfered in the affairs between Wendy and Michael. After all, Mrs. Lucas was the one who had decided on their marriage. Even though Winnie did not like Wendy as her daughter-in-law, her hands were tied. However, things were starting to get out of control now, and Wendy was still working as Christian’s assistant. Lately, Winnie had heard rumors about Wendy changing her target to the vice-president after her failure to seduce the president of the company. Now that everyone knew that Wendy was Michael’s wife, her relationship with Christian was sure to attract unwanted attention.
"I hope that you can give me a satisfactory answer," said Winnie.
Wendy lowered her head. She did not know how to explain herself. Things between her, Michael, and Christian, were too complicated to talk about.
Observing Wendy’s silence, Winnie spoke again, saying, "I know that you love my son, but you should also know that loving someone is not about tarnishing his reputation, or about refusing to let him go."
Wendy finally understood the what Winnie meant. She wanted Wendy to get a divorce with Michael. This was something that Wendy wanted as well.
"Mother, I know that I’ve tarnished the reputation of the Lucas family, so I’m willing to let go," Wendy replied. "it’s my fault for remaining as a daughter-in-law in this family all these years even though I knew how Michael feels about me."
Winnie did not expect Wendy’s answer to be so blunt. She studied Wendy with a doubtful gaze, "Are you saying that you’re willing to get divorced?"
Wendy nodded. Winnie then shifted her gaze to Michael. Her tone was less firm when she said, "Michael, did you hear that? Pick a date and get the divorce finalized. On top of that, make sure to give her a handsome compensation after the divorce."
"I will not agree to this divorce," said Michael.
His tone was determined and serious. His reply made Winnie feel even more confused.
Even though she never really interfered in their affairs, she knew all along that Michael hated Wendy and was involved in an affair with a woman named Yvonne. And even though the Lucas family would never accept Yvonne, Winnie thought that at least Michael had been looking forward to getting divorced.
She thought, why is he refusing now?
"Michael, did I mishear you?" asked Winnie incredulously. "If you don’t agree to this divorce, soon everyone in Lake City will find out about how Wendy has been bouncing between you and Christian."
"Mother, please don’t interfere in this," replied Michael.
"I never interfered in the past, but now that things have come to this, do you expect me to just sit back and watch?" Winnie started laughing out of anger. "We all know how Wendy married into the Lucas family. She’s not a good person to begin with, and now that she has gotten herself involved with Christian, it’s obvious that she doesn’t care about our reputation. If you don’t agree to this divorce, do you wish for other people to laugh at you behind your back?"
