Chapter 518 Invalid Marriage
Michael stared at Gerald, disbelief written all over his face. "Am I really that dumb? I let a woman take over my company and did nothing about it? That's just crazy!"
Gerald got up and moved back to the couch, looking deeply troubled. "As your older brother, I watched helplessly as she deceived you. I couldn't do anything to help. I share the blame."
Michael's recently relaxed expression tightened again. "Deceived by love? I loved her?"
"Of course! She was once the woman you loved most in this world. She gave you three kids. But..."
Before Gerald could finish, Michael interrupted, "I have three kids? Where are they?"
"Michael, calm down. Let me explain everything. Don't get worked up. Yes, you have three kids, but Elizabeth has custody of them. She deceived you, took your love, but wasn't loyal to you. I don't know what tricks she used, but she transferred all your shares in Stellar Enterprises to another man and ran off with him."
Michael's face showed no pain, only confusion. "She ran off with another man? What about the kids?"
"That's the worst part about Elizabeth. She left the kids behind to fend for themselves while she enjoys life abroad with another man!"
Michael suddenly clenched his fist and slammed it down on the armrest of his wheelchair. "How could she treat my kids like that!"
Gerald quickly stepped forward. "Michael, don't get angry. Don't take it out on your body. I feel for the kids too. It breaks my heart to see them suffer."
Michael's face hardened with determination. "I need to see my kids."
Gerald tried to soothe him. "Michael, we need to plan this carefully."
"Why? Why can't I see my own kids?"
Gerald hesitated. "Elizabeth has legal custody. You don't have the right to raise them."
Michael was incredulous. "We divorced? And she got full custody?"
Gerald scratched his head. "Michael, your marriage wasn't legally recognized. You had a ceremony with a pastor, but you never got a marriage license."
Michael looked at him, probing. "No marriage license? How do you know such private details?"
Gerald scratched his head again, smiling awkwardly. "Michael, back when we were making our way in the business world, we were close. Even though we called each other brothers, I'm much older than you. I really liked you and wanted you to marry my daughter, to make us a real family. So, I had to check your marital status, right? You don't mind me looking into your private life, do you?"
Michael shook his head. "No, I don't mind."
Gerald smiled with relief. "You don't mind? That's great!"
Gerald nervously rubbed his hands together. "You have no idea how much I admire you, how much I like you. Elizabeth hurt you deeply, and I want to help you get revenge, to reclaim everything that was yours. Once you marry my daughter, you'll be the future head of the Murphy Group. You'll be able to stand up to Elizabeth. Getting back Stellar Enterprises will be a piece of cake."
Michael wheeled around, taking in the living room's decor. He seemed relaxed.
"Gerald."
Gerald responded immediately, walking over. "I'm here."
Michael's gaze was fixed on a photo on the shelf.
Gerald followed his eyes and smiled. "That's my daughter, Cordelia Murphy. Isn't she beautiful? How would you feel about marrying her?"
Michael nodded sincerely. "She is indeed beautiful."
Gerald's smile widened. "Michael, once you're healed, I'll arrange the wedding right away."
Michael nodded without hesitation. "Thank you for your kindness."
Gerald patted his shoulder warmly. "We're family. No need for formalities."
Michael turned to him. "I must thank you. You saved me, took me in, and now you're offering me your wonderful daughter. How can I ever repay you?"
"Michael, I wanted to help you on my own. But without a formal position in the Murphy Group, people might not respect you. Once you marry Cordelia, you'll be part of the Murphy family. You'll have the strength to face Elizabeth."
Michael's face showed deep gratitude. "I'm truly thankful. You've thought of everything."
Gerald was about to say something when Michael suddenly bent over, coughing violently, his fist pressed to his mouth.
Gerald immediately rang for the staff.
Several attendants rushed in. "Mr. Murphy, what do you need?"
"Take Michael to rest. His broken ribs haven't fully healed. He needs to rest and not overexert himself."
Michael leaned back, clutching his chest, breathing lightly.
The staff wheeled him back to his temporary quarters.
Gerald watched until Michael's wheelchair was out of sight. He sat down and made a phone call.
The other end picked up immediately. "Mr. Murphy."
"Are you sure Michael's memory erasure surgery was successful?"
"Mr. Murphy, based on our previous experiments, there haven't been any failures so far."
Gerald asked cautiously, "You said 'previously.' What about now? Could there be any issues?"
"Mr. Murphy, even if all experiments were successful, you must allow for the possibility of individual failures. Haven't you tested him already? How do you feel about the results?"
Gerald hesitated. "I think his memory loss is pretty thorough. He even forgot Elizabeth. If he's pretending, he's doing a great job. I'm just worried that if he hasn't lost his memory, Cordelia won't be able to handle him."
"Mr. Murphy, we just need to ensure that during the time you need him, he remains loyal to you, right?"
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