Chapter 480 Incompatible as Water and Fire
"If he was so sure he'd win the election, would he really need me to ask for your help? I mean, he's a Mitchell, right? If he lands a big gig in the future, it's gonna be good for all of us. Look around; who doesn't back their own family? Not everyone is as straight-laced as you. Lucky for us, I started a company early and built this family business. Seb's been busting his butt, making Prosperity Group thrive all these years. Otherwise, now that you're retired, you'd be scraping by on just your pension!" Carol rambled on.
"Mom, can you chill?" Seb quickly cut in, seeing Todd's annoyed look.
But Carol wasn't having it and kept going. "What have Seb and I ever gotten from you? Because of your last mess, Seb had to call in favors from people in Aidamore..."
Todd's face was very sullen. He grabbed the still-warm bowl of soup Carol had put on the bedside table and hurled it to the ground!
The bowl shattered, and greasy soup splattered everywhere, messing up Carol's clothes.
Carol looked down at the mess, then shot up and pointed a finger at Todd, yelling, "Are you nuts?"
"I might not have given you any real perks, but why haven't you divorced me all these years? Don't think I don't know you had someone else back then," Todd snapped.
Carol's face twisted, especially with Seb right there, even though Seb had known for years.
"Dad," Seb called out, trying to stop Todd.
Carol, fuming, knocked over a nearby chair and spat, "What? You think you're better than me now? I get it. You didn't bring this up before 'cause you were still in office and couldn't afford a divorce, worried it'd mess up your career. Now that you're retired and a divorce won't hurt you, you wanna ditch me, right?"
Todd, sitting on the hospital bed, couldn't even look at Carol. "Honestly, your heart's been out the door for a while. The only reason you stuck around was to use my connections for your business. If it weren't for my position, you'd have left me ages ago, wouldn't you?"
"Hmph, Seb, did you hear that? Your dad and I are done. We're just sticking together for convenience," Carol sneered, her smile bitter and helpless.
Seb looked between Todd and Carol, lost for words.
Since he was a kid, they'd been a couple who fought all the time. He thought they'd grow old together, but now they were like oil and water.
Todd suddenly closed his eyes and said, "Since I'm no use to you anymore, let's get a divorce. Don't worry, I won't touch your assets or company."
Carol hesitated for a second, then sneered. "Todd, I'm old and not exactly a catch anymore. I can't go find my own happiness. You wanna dump me? Listen, it's not that easy. Divorce isn't up to you; it's my call!"
With that, Carol stormed out.
"Mom," Seb stepped forward, frowning.
When Carol got to the door, she spun around and glared at Todd on the hospital bed. "Fine, if don't help my nephew, I'll head back to the central district tomorrow. I've got my own connections; I don't need you!"
With that, she stormed out.
Seb quickly followed her out and told Leon, who was waiting, "Get my mom home, fast."
"Got it," Leon replied and left with Carol.
Seb went back to the room and grabbed a broom to clean up the mess of soup and broken bowl pieces.
After a bit, Todd sighed, "Seb, do you think your mom and I can ever talk things out?"
Seb looked up and saw his dad's face full of sadness and helplessness. He knew his parents had never really been happy.
"Dad, Mom's just got a fiery temper. She said she's heading back to the central district tomorrow. Maybe some time apart will help you both cool down," Seb suggested.
Just then, Catherine, who had gone to see Susan off, came back.
Seeing Seb cleaning up, she asked, "Oh no, what happened here?"
"It was my fault," Seb quickly said.
Catherine took the broom from him. "Let me handle this; you shouldn't be doing this."
Seb watched as Catherine bustled around, bringing water for his dad to wash his hands, mopping the floor, and fetching more water. He felt a pang of guilt.
"Mom, thanks a lot," Seb said gratefully.
"It's nothing. I'm used to this at home. It's late; you should head back," Catherine said with a smile, wiping sweat from her forehead.
Seb said goodbye to Todd and left.
Early the next morning, Seb personally drove Carol back to the central district.
On the way, he had to endure Carol's endless nagging and complaints about Todd. He stayed quiet, which only made Carol more annoyed.
After lunch, Carol dragged him to visit some old friends to lobby for her nephew's district chief election. By the time Seb could finally leave, it was almost dark.
That night, Susan was already asleep.
Suddenly, her phone rang loudly, waking her up. She grabbed it and squinted at the screen, seeing Seb's number.
Worried something might be wrong, she quickly answered.
"Hello?"
"Hey, you awake?" Seb's tired voice came through.
Hearing the exhaustion in his voice and the sound of a car in the background, Susan asked nervously, "Where are you right now?"
"I'm just about to enter Maple Valley," he replied.
Susan frowned and asked, "Where were you so late?"
She glanced at the clock; it was past one in the morning.
"I just got back from the central district," Seb said.
"You went to the central district?" Susan was shocked.
"I've got good news and bad news. Which one do you want first?" Seb asked, trying to lighten the mood.
"What's the bad news? Don't scare me," Susan's heart skipped a beat.
"Which one do you want to hear first?" Seb's voice was calm but tinged with sadness.
Susan thought for a moment and said, "Okay, give me the bad news first."
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