Chapter 477 Helping Wife, Not Relatives
Jennifer's sudden change in demeanor caught Brooklyn off guard.
She had a gut feeling that Jennifer's sincerity was just a facade, but she couldn't pinpoint what was off.
After apologizing, Jennifer maintained her usual elegance, not showing a hint of distress. Her hand moved awkwardly to Brooklyn's, and for the first time, she held Brooklyn's hand in both of hers, gently enclosing it.
The unfamiliar gesture, the strange warmth, and the awkwardness of the action made everything feel uncomfortable.
"Brooklyn, I want to apologize to you," Jennifer repeated, her voice more sincere than before.
Brooklyn took a deep breath and met Jennifer's gaze. Their eyes held completely different emotions.
"Mom, why are you apologizing to me? And what did you do wrong that you need to apologize for?"
Brooklyn tried to pull her hand back, but Jennifer tightened her grip, her eyes showing a rare motherly warmth.
"I know you resent me, hate me, blame me for how I treated you back then..." Jennifer smiled bitterly, the corners of her eyes showing faint wrinkles.
Brooklyn remained silent. She knew better than anyone how Jennifer had treated her. If she really wanted to hold a grudge, Jennifer wouldn't have been able to step into her hospital room.
Jennifer sighed softly. "I was misled by lies and wronged you. Now that I know the truth... I'm sorry, Brooklyn. You've been through so much with the Kingsley family... I really wronged you. Can you forgive me?"
Her words were carefully chosen, and her attitude was sincere. Every pause was perfectly timed, every breath seemed to carry a sob, portraying an image of a kind-hearted woman who had been misled.
Brooklyn couldn't help but be impressed by Jennifer's performance. It made her feel petty and unreasonable for wanting to blame her.
Brooklyn finally withdrew her hand from Jennifer's grasp and smiled at her. "Mom, I don't quite understand. Who misled you? What kind of lies? I don't understand at all."
Jennifer's hand hung awkwardly in the air before she placed it back on her lap. She looked at Brooklyn's radiant face and thought of her prestigious background as the daughter of the Taylor family. She smiled and said, "I used to trust Megan too much. I didn't realize how manipulative she was. Thankfully, you exposed her true nature. Otherwise, I don't know how long I would have been deceived. Brooklyn, Megan hurt you and bullied you, and I didn't stand up for you. But from now on, if she dares to say anything bad about you, I won't let her get away with it!"
Jennifer's firm promise made it seem like she was ready to cut ties with Megan at any moment.
But Brooklyn wasn't a child, nor was she naive.
She had seen Jennifer's ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
Now that the Turner family was in crisis and Megan was in prison, the once arrogant socialite had become a prisoner. Even if she got out, her reputation would be severely damaged.
Megan's name would no longer be flaunted on Aucester's socialite list.
"Megan was pregnant with Sebastian's child, and I caused her to lose it. Don't you remember, Mom?"
Brooklyn had always been haunted by this incident. Only the three of them were present at the time, and Megan knew the truth. Jennifer probably did too.
Jennifer's face turned slightly pale. She forced a smile to hide her discomfort. "That wasn't your fault."
"Really? I remember everyone accusing me of pushing Megan. Mom, my memory isn't great. Can you help me recall?"
Jennifer's fingers tightened, the ring on her finger digging into her palm. She finally looked up and admitted the truth about that incident.
"Megan fell on her own. It had nothing to do with you. I saw it." Jennifer's candid admission surprised Brooklyn.
Brooklyn took a sharp breath. She had always known the truth, but Jennifer had still blamed her.
So—
"Mom, can you tell me why you were so against me? Why did you think I wasn't good enough for your son?"
Yes, she wanted to know. She had wanted to know for a long time!
Was it just because of her background?
Jennifer sighed, looking both helpless and sad. "You're a good daughter-in-law and a good girl, but at the time, you weren't as good as Megan."
"My background?" Brooklyn asked directly.
Jennifer answered honestly, "Yes. Even though you're the daughter of the Mitchell Group, you don't have any shares in the company. You gave up your inheritance rights. With that status, the Kingsley family wouldn't accept you."
Brooklyn wanted to laugh at how ridiculous it all sounded.
"I never thought the prestigious Kingsley family would care about their daughter-in-law's background!"
"The Kingsley family might not care, but I do. Sebastian does too! Sebastian..." Jennifer got emotional and almost said something she shouldn't have, but she stopped herself just in time.
Brooklyn frowned. "What's wrong with Sebastian?"
"Nothing. It's nothing."
Jennifer looked warily at Brooklyn's scrutinizing eyes. Her eyes were too bright, too direct, as if they could see into her heart. She quickly looked away. "I was wrong before. From now on, I'll treat you as the Kingsley family's daughter-in-law. But, Brooklyn, I still care about my son. I hope you'll love him and be loyal to him."
Brooklyn sneered inwardly. This was the Kingsley family's way of socializing—give you a little benefit, then warn you, leaving you confused and hurt.
"Of course, I'll love him and be loyal to him. But that has nothing to do with you. I love him because he's my husband."
Brooklyn's emotions were more intense than Jennifer's. Her relationship with Jennifer was limited to the fact that Jennifer had given birth to Sebastian, making her his irreplaceable mother.
Otherwise, Brooklyn would have loved to send Jennifer to jail for a few days to cool off.
"Thank you."
Jennifer's sudden gratitude was surprisingly sincere compared to her earlier insincerity.
Brooklyn nodded. "No need. It's what I'm willing to do for him."
As their conversation ended, a tall figure appeared at the hospital room door. His height almost reached the top of the doorframe, his imposing presence blocking most of the light and air from the hallway.
Jennifer turned around in surprise, almost losing her composure. "Sebastian, when did you get here?"
"Just now."
Sebastian's response was calm, not dismissive but not particularly attentive either.
Jennifer stood up and smoothed her elegant dress. "Since you're here, take good care of Brooklyn. I'll head back."
"Mom, you don't need to come to the hospital. Patients need peace and quiet to rest."
Jennifer paused, and Brooklyn's eyes opened slightly.
Sebastian was really... blunt with his mother.
"I'll be going then."
Jennifer didn't respond to his sarcastic remark. She walked out of the room, her high heels clicking on the floor, the sound gradually fading away.
After she left, Sebastian sat down by the bed. "Feeling better?"
Brooklyn didn't answer. Instead, she asked, "Did you really just get here? It doesn't seem like you."
The man she questioned, his voice calm and composed, showed no sign of embarrassment. "My wife and mother were about to clash. As the cause of the conflict, I couldn't back down."
"So, Mr. Kingsley, you listened from start to finish?"
"Yes."
He had listened to everything, almost breaking down the door in anger.
"Megan's miscarriage had nothing to do with me. You heard that, right?" She wanted to clear her name completely.
Hearing the truth from Jennifer herself made her very happy.
"I know. Even if Mom hadn't explained, I would have believed you. I trust you, not my mom."
Brooklyn muttered, "Great, now I'm the cause of the conflict."
Sebastian laughed. "No, my stance is firm. No one can change my attitude towards you. I support my wife, not my family."
As they exchanged sweet words, Brooklyn's phone rang.
Seeing the name on the screen, Brooklyn glanced at Sebastian. It was a call from Lawrence, and she didn't want Sebastian to hear their conversation.
While she hesitated, Sebastian's phone also vibrated.
"I'll take this call," Sebastian said, naturally stepping out to the living room.
Brooklyn then picked up her phone.
Unbeknownst to her, Sebastian had seen the name flashing on her screen.
Both of them lowered their voices intentionally.
Brooklyn smiled. "Mr. Turner, you've taken your time."
Lawrence chuckled awkwardly. "It's a complicated matter. I had to weigh my options."
Smart man!
"So, Mr. Turner, what's your decision?" Brooklyn asked, keeping an eye on Sebastian on the balcony.
His tall, handsome figure was imposing, exuding a strong, intimidating presence.
"I agree to your proposal. Simon's half-life is yours."
Brooklyn smiled. "Mr. Turner, you're indeed a smart man. The money is ready. Once I get the news, I'll transfer it to you."
"Good!"
Brooklyn hung up and listened for any movement from Sebastian. She vaguely heard Piper's name.
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