Chapter 858 You Seem to Be Crazy!
Only a few affiliated families close to the Smith family approached quietly to inquire about the situation.
Learning that Natalie’s relationship with the Smith family had indeed broken down, although it was expected but they couldn't help but sigh.
"James, it's not me, but Helen's reaction just now was too indifferent. If I were Natalie, I wouldn't want to acknowledge such a mother either."
Another person nodded in agreement, "Exactly! Ah! Susan, who was nurtured for so many years, has now tarnished her reputation and committed crimes. Now there's Natalie, a capable, beautiful, and reputable girl who could support the family. It's a pity that Natalie, such an outstanding girl, should have called you dad, James!"
If Natalie hadn't married Oliver, a person the Smith family dared not provoke, perhaps the Smith family's profit-seeking individuals would have resorted to means to force Natalie to return and become the Smith family's daughter.
Things would have been much easier after becoming the Smith family's daughter.
For example, having Natalie endorsed family products as an international supermodel for free; or marrying Natalie off to some CEO or chairman who needed cooperation. After all, there were plenty of daughters from prominent families who need to form alliances.
In the past, Susan didn't form alliances because she initially fancied Arthur Windsor, then Oliver, both of whom were considered eminent individuals in the eyes of the Smith family.
But who could have imagined that Susan was a useless person? Not only did she fail to secure a partner, but she also foolishly landed herself in prison, losing all her value in the end!
After coming out, she probably would have had to marry an older man...
But his mind was filled with the words of those two people.
Helen's reaction was notably indifferent. If one were in Natalie's position, it would be understandable not to want to acknowledge such a mother. It was truly a pity that an outstanding girl like Natalie should have had someone like James to call dad. The depth of Helen's wrongdoings toward Natalie was still largely unknown, and awareness of them would likely leave others speechless.
If Helen hadn't hurt Natalie's feelings with her actions, would Natalie have been so ruthless as to refuse to acknowledge her? James recalled that it was Oliver who allowed Helen to return to the country, but why did Oliver permit this? It seemed evident that Natalie herself had proposed it and made her stance clear.
However, upon Helen's return, she immediately caused trouble for Natalie, almost leading to a tragic incident in the elevator that nearly claimed both Natalie and her unborn child's lives.
If Natalie acknowledged him as her father, Sarah's unborn child would become the future heir of the RisingKing Group. This acknowledgment would enable James to establish a strong relationship with the RisingKing Group. Consequently, half of this colossal and astonishing commercial empire would come under the control of the Smith family, he murmured to himself.
The more James thought about it, the angrier he became. After seeing off the guests, he angrily shouted at Helen, "Come here!"
Helen was currently upset, crying as she followed her husband back to the room. She wanted to talk to her husband about Susan's situation, hoping to find a solution. However, she didn't expect to be met with a resounding slap!
James slapped her across the face!
Helen, who had lived a comfortable life for many years, was completely unprepared for the force of James' slap. It was a full-force blow, causing Helen to clutch her face, falling to the ground, unable to regain her senses for a while.
"James, have you gone mad?!" Helen couldn't believe it.
In their over twenty years of marriage, although their relationship wasn't great, James had never laid a hand on her. While James might not match up to Samuel in terms of capability, he was still a polite person.
Polite on the surface, or rather, pretending to be polite.
He cared about his reputation and appearance, so no matter how outrageous Helen's actions were, James had never resorted to violence against her.
"I think you're the one who's gone mad!" James couldn't contain his anger. "Look at what you've done today!"
"What have I done?!" Helen retorted.
Feeling enraged, James stood with his hands on his hips to prevent himself from lashing out.
"Helen, Natalie is your biological daughter. The paternity test results are right in front of you. What kind of attitude did you show towards Natalie today? Your treatment of Natalie was worse than that of a distant relative's child! And how could you say those things? You made Natalie take the blame for Susan? You made your own daughter cover for a foster child? Can you even fathom that?"
At this moment, James conveniently forgot that his father, Caleb, had also agreed with Helen's sentiments at that time.
"A foster child? Even if she's a foster child, she's been raised and cared for by us for nearly twenty years. Even if it's a dog, after over twenty years, there would be some attachment!" Helen seemed to see through everything, mocking, "James, I'm not as heartless as you. Don't think I don't know. Men care about bloodlines and interests. Susan isn't your biological daughter, but Natalie is not only your biological daughter but also has utility value. So your heart has clearly leaned towards Natalie!"
"Helen, you're utterly unreasonable!" James was exasperated, a hint of desperation flashing in his eyes.
It was the desperation of being exposed at his core.
"I may be unreasonable, but haven't you always thought that way about me?" Helen said, starting to cry. Her face, swollen from the harsh slap, began to show signs of bruising. "James, I know, all these years, the woman in your heart has always been Isabella, not me."
James was shocked.
Helen realized she had hit a nerve. "James, don't think I don't know. If it weren't for me giving birth to a pair of children. You wouldn't have let me stay in the Smith family. If it weren't for Isabella betraying you and getting involved with other men, you would have forced me to switch places with Isabella. Even the secretary you have by your side now, with whom your relationship is ambiguous, bears some resemblance to Isabella."
"Helen! That's enough! Isabella was your sister, and she's already passed away!" James roared.
"Helen, you've hit a sore spot, haven't you?" James took a deep breath. "Helen, I don't want to discuss these matters with you. I called you here to warn you to be a bit nicer to Natalie in the future."
Helen sneered, "James, do you know that every time I see Natalie's face, I'm reminded of your mother, which fills me with deep hatred. You shouldn't expect me to treat Natalie well."
"What are you saying?" James was shocked as he looked at his wife of over thirty years in disbelief.
Helen actually harbored deep hatred towards James' mother?
It was only after that Helen realized she had spoken out of turn in her overly emotional state, a moment of panic flashing across her face before quickly returning to normal.
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