Chapter 254
Chapter 254
“If you hadn't kept rejecting Dad's ideas in everything, he wouldn't have slipped into a depression. Are you trying to do the same to me?” Evander fumed.
“You...”
The death of Evander's father had always been a sore point with Valerie, and now that the wound had been ripped open again, she felt nothing but pure, unadulterated rage.
“Evander Golding, is this how you talk to me?” she retorted, hands shaking as she glared at her grandson.
A heavy silence instantly befell the room.
Olivine, who had yet to say a word, finally saw her chance to take action.
She feigned a timid, nervous glance at Evander and uttered, “Try to give in to Old Mrs. Golding, Evander. We shouldn't stress her out any further at her age. Look... I'll agree to call off our engagement if that's what you want.”
Not only had Olivine shown how empathetic she was, but she had also expertly removed all blame from herself.
Unfortunately, her acting could fool everyone but Evander.
“If you were truly that considerate, you wouldn't have let Grandma hold tire press conference in tire first place,” he scoffed.
Grandma's a wise and sensible woman. She wouldn't have gone to such great lengths to hold a press conference just because she read about Angeline's scandal. I'm sure Olivine must've farmed the flames!
“I-I...” Olivine mumbled, all anxious and teary-eyed.
As much as she hated to admit it, Evander's piercing gaze was like a detector that could flesh out her deepest and darkest secrets.
Afraid tliat the guilt on her face might give her away, she quickly lowered her head and averted her gaze.
Fortunately for her, Valerie jumped in to defuse the situation. “I was the one who set the wedding date. I was also the one who wanted to hold tire press conference! Why are you blaming it on Olivine?”
Then, she pulled Olivine close to herself and instantly felt sorry for the young lady's scared, submissive silence.
“Don't forget that you and Olivine grew up together. The two of you would've gotten married long ago if it weren't for tliat Angeline Sorelie. Anyway, I've already sent the wedding gifts to the Sherrocks on your behalf. It's a done deal.”
Needless to say, Evander was stunned.
Grandma sent the wedding gifts without my consent... She's not even giving me any room for negotiation!
It was then tliat Evander suddenly recalled his father's sad demise, which sent chills running down liis spine. The more he thought about it, the more he wanted to rebel against his grandmother.
His father had always loved the arts, and after majoring in fine art during his university days, he produced several pieces of stunning artwork that propelled him to worldwide fame.
However, as the eldest son of the Golding family, he was destined to become a pawn in the Golding Group's grand plan for success.
With Valerie constantly pressuring him, Evander's father had no choice but to give up on the arts and take over the company. To make matters worse, he also had to agree to an arranged marriage.
For as long as Evander could remember, his father had always been cold and distant. Even if he were home, he'd be unshaven, smoking one cigarette after another.
Because of that, Evander grew afraid and resentful of his father, to the point where he didn't even think the latter was worthy of being a parent. Only when he got older and started feeling the pressure of Valerie breathing down his neck did he finally realize what his father- had had to endure.
Perhaps alienating himself from the family was his father's way of retaliating.
Evander's gaze turned colder and angrier. “I object!”
“What are you talking about?” Valerie replied as she stared at her grandson in utter disbelief.
“I will never give my consent to such a ridiculous engagement. I won't follow in my father's footsteps, either!” Evander replied clearly and confidently. “The only woman I'll many is Angeline Sorelie!”
Evander's words echoed throughout the office, and there was no doubt he had meant every word he said.
He prepared to leave the office.
Sylas, who hadn't moved an inch from the door, had been listening intently to the heated exchange between Evander and Valerie. As shocked as he was at the amount of rage, he also had to admit that Evander's courage was admirable.
My, my. Despite all the temptations around him, he still stays true to his principles and is even ready to fight his family for Angeline. I'm sure he's the only one capable of such a feat.
Alas, just as Sylas continued to let his mind wander-, a loud thud suddenly rang out.
He quickly tinned toward the sound, only to see an ashen-faced Valerie clutching her heart as she lay unconscious in Olivine's arms.
“Wake up, Old Mrs. Golding! Please don't scare me!” Olivine muttered worriedly.
Upon hearing that, Evander stopped in liis tracks and furrowed his brows.
“Tell the driver- to pull the car up at the entrance,” he ordered as he turned and swiftly scooped Valerie into his amis. RêAd lat𝙚St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only
Grandma has often threatened me with her heart condition in the past, and because of that, I've always given in to her. The doctor has clearly stated tliat she needs to take care of herself and not get overly emotional. This time, however, it looks like she's making good on her threat! I can't believe she'd go so far as to jeopardize her own health!
Once Valerie was rushed to the hospital emergency room, it didn't take long before scores of people filled the corridors. Other than Olivine, the rest of the crowd were direct and extended members of the Golding family.
After- all, if Valerie were to pass away, it'd undoubtedly affect the future of Golding Group.
The older members of the Golding family looked at Evander disappointedly, while the younger ones seemed fearful of him.
One exception, however, was the young man standing and smiling in the far comer. He was around the same age as Evander and looked every bit like a polite gentleman with his black-rimmed glasses.
“I've got to hand it to you. You pissed Grandma off so much tliat she's now in the hospital. If the public knew about this, it'd affect our family's reputation, wouldn't it?”
As it turned out, the young man was Hubert Golding, the firstborn of the Goldings' second eldest son. He was two year's older than Evander and had already made a name for himself in the business world.
Unfortunately, Golding Group was a family business, so the one with the most control over company affairs would undoubtedly be the majority shareholder.
From there, the power of the remaining shareholders would be ranked accordingly to the number of shares they held.
Naturally, the reason Valerie could have such a strong foothold in the Golding family was that she was the majority shareholder.
“Are you talking to me?” Evander asked coolly.
He had long gotten used to being taunted, so his cousin's snarky comments barely fazed him.
Hubert stuck his hands into his pockets and sauntered toward Evander.
“I know it's been a while, Evander, but you haven't forgotten my name, have you?”
“Instead of meddling in other- people's business, why don't you take care of your own affairs first? I heard your wife has been stirring up trouble because of your scandal. Has that not made the news
yet?”