Chapter 318 Did I Torment Him?
"I don't know much about you and Benjamin, and even if I did, we're not that close, so it's not my place to meddle. But I still want to advise you to take care of yourself. Since you're not resigning, just focus on your work. Go ahead and get busy."
Katniss lowered her head and started working on the acquisition of The Astor Corporation.
Hazel was back in less than half an hour. "The receptionist said someone wants to see you. She doesn't recognize the person, but they introduced themselves as Adelaide."
The lines of text printed on the white paper instantly became a bit blurry in Katniss's eyes.
She was momentarily dazed, unable to remember how long it had been since she last saw Adelaide.
It had been so long that she had almost forgotten about Adelaide amidst her frequent interactions with Tristan.
Adelaide must have something important to discuss; it would be rude not to see her.
But she could somewhat guess what it was about.
"The receptionist also said that Mrs. Forbes said she would wait until you see her," Hazel added when she saw Katniss hesitating.
Upon hearing this, Katniss put down the pen in her hand. "Have her brought to the VIP room."
"Okay." Hazel quickly responded and went back to her desk to call the receptionist.
Ten minutes later, Katniss entered the VIP room. Adelaide was sitting with her back to her, and Royce was standing nearby.
Through the glass door, Royce saw her coming in and quickly opened the door. "Miss Grey."
"Hello." Katniss walked in and nodded politely, then saw Royce leave the VIP room and stand guard at the door.
Adelaide had already turned around, her expression still kind and gentle as she looked at Katniss. "Katniss, I thought you wouldn't see me."
"Mrs. Forbes, you're overthinking it." Katniss sat down across from her, her smile faint and not reaching her eyes. "Is there something you need from me?"
"I heard from Tristan that you were back, and I've been wanting to see you. But because of that incident, I felt too ashamed to face you." Adelaide looked at her with a guilty expression.
Her clear eyes looked at Adelaide indifferently. The Adelaide who once seemed kind now felt somewhat insincere.
She couldn't feel moved or muster any goodwill.
"Tristan can't let you go, you should be able to see that." Adelaide continued when she didn't respond. "That incident was my fault. If you're willing to come back, I'll make you the head of the Forbes family right now, just don't torment him anymore."
Katniss raised an eyebrow and asked, "Have I been tormenting him?"
Maybe, a little. During this time, their intermittent contact had him suppressing his deep feelings for her, afraid of pressuring her.
That feeling, she imagined, must be torturous.
But hadn't she been tormented too?
Unable to let go or give it their all—that feeling of being stuck was the most painful.
"I'm the one tormenting both of you." Adelaide's words were flawless; she was taking all the blame on herself. "I have to put the Forbes family's interests first, but I do like you a lot. I've always been good to you."
Katniss was silent for a few seconds before bluntly saying, "What exactly did you come here for today? Can you get straight to the point?"
"I'm here to persuade you to come back, reconcile with him, and have another wedding. Have a child as soon as possible." Adelaide said, watching her every subtle expression.
But her face remained expressionless. After a moment of contemplation, she said, "I'll consider it."
"That's good. As long as you're willing to come back, everything can be discussed." Adelaide's smile widened, but it quickly faded a bit. "There's one more thing I want to discuss with you."
"Go ahead." Katniss wasn't surprised she had a request.
Adelaide said, "Can you resign from White Corporation?"
The already quiet VIP room became even more silent. The two of them stared at each other, and the disappointment gradually appearing in Katniss's clear eyes made Adelaide uncomfortable.
She was the first to lower her head, her face looking uneasy. "I know you're very dedicated to your work. Don't you have an educational institution? I'm just worried you'll be too tired."
"Besides that, is there any other reason?" Katniss pressed.
"Also, if you're so busy, getting married and having children will interfere with your work. You might as well resign. Tristan has the ability to restore the Forbes family's glory." Adelaide said confidently.
She was met with another silence.
After a long while, Katniss finally moved her lips and said, "Let's be clear. Didn't you announce that Travis was expelled from the Forbes family? So why are you in such a hurry for Tristan to get married and have a child? Isn't the Forbes family already Tristan's?"
"The Forbes family is a large family. It's just that our branch is the one in power. To expel someone from the Forbes family requires the consent of some elders from the other branches. In this father-son conflict, Travis was cunning and calculating, while Tristan's swift retaliation emptied Synergy Global Corporation. So the elders from the other branches didn't agree to expel Travis, as both sides were at fault."
The elders from the other branches of the Forbes family valued the interests of the entire Forbes family.
"Even though Tristan is capable, the damage caused by emptying Synergy Global Corporation was still a mistake.
"They believe they can't control Tristan, so they don't agree to expel Travis. They want to use Travis to suppress Tristan.
"In short, they want the father and son to keep each other in check and continue to bring profits to the large Forbes family.
"So, as it stands, no matter how much Tristan develops his power and earns money, without a child, the assets will eventually fall into Travis's hands."
In other words, It was Adelaide's unilateral decision to expel Travis from the Forbes family is ineffective.
The complexity of the Forbes family's affairs exceeded Katniss's imagination.
However, she could understand that a family with such a long history would have many rules and mutual restraints.
So, if Evie went back, it would still be very dangerous.
"Katniss, you and I both love Tristan very much. I know he's in a dangerous situation right now and needs our help. Come back, and from now on, I'll listen to you in everything. I'll hand over the family's power to you," Adelaide pleaded earnestly.
Katniss's thoughts were pulled back. She looked at Adelaide for a long time and then asked, "Without White Corporation, what do I have to support myself? The Forbes family is full of crises. There's no guarantee that there won't be more dangers in the future. When that time comes, you'll protect him, and I'll be left isolated. Have you considered that?"
Her question left Adelaide speechless.
"People say that if I were a daughter of a wealthy family, you wouldn't dare sacrifice me to protect the Forbes family, right?" Katniss asked bluntly.
Adelaide opened her mouth, looking anxious, but in the end, she couldn't say anything.
But Katniss understood. Wasn't that an implicit admission?
"Blame me if you want. That incident was my fault," Adelaide said, tears streaming down her face.
Katniss smiled, handed her a tissue, and shook her head. "I don't blame you for that because I'm not sure I could have done better in your position. After all, to you, the Forbes family and Tristan are more important than I am. Sacrificing me wouldn't affect the Forbes family much."
If she had a family backing her, they would definitely cause trouble for the Forbes family if she were sacrificed.
But she didn't have a powerful background, so her sacrifice was taken for granted in the whole situation.
She could only bear the pain alone.
"But now you're asking me to repeat the same mistake, to give up everything I have now and fall into danger again. That's selfish of you. I don't expect to be as important to you as Tristan, but don't treat me like a soft-hearted fool. I love him, but I'm rational. I can't love him recklessly without regard for my life. I'm not wrong to say that, am I?"
Asking her to resign, have a child with Tristan, and fight for the family assets would only lead to more conflicts.
She would be the focal point of the entire struggle, with all the dangers directed at her. Evie would also be in danger.
Who could guarantee that another crisis wouldn't arise, forcing Adelaide to abandon her again?
She didn't believe in Adelaide anymore.
Katniss thought that during that time, Adelaide must have been looking for a woman with a good family background for Tristan.
Using the power of a business alliance to suppress Travis, was better than risking her life to fight for everything for Tristan.
Unfortunately, Tristan fell, and if Adelaide didn't tell Tristan the truth, everything would be over.
"Do you have anything else to say?" Feeling more and more disheartened, Katniss stood up, indicating that the meeting was over.
Adelaide picked up the cane beside the conference table, stood up shakily, and walked over to her, nodding slightly. "No matter what, that incident was my fault."
"Please don't do this. I can't accept it. And I've said, I understand you and don't blame you," Katniss quickly supported her arm.
Taking the opportunity, Adelaide grabbed Katniss's hand, lowered her head, and with great effort, said, "If you won't come back, please stay away from him. Don't see him again! He can't handle the White family's targeting right now. If you won't help him, at least don't harm him!"
Katniss's body stiffened, as if struck by a heavy blow.
Before she could react, Adelaide let go of her and turned to leave.
Katniss's tears fell unexpectedly. Her legs suddenly lost strength, and she collapsed into a nearby chair.
So, this was Adelaide's real purpose for coming.
Adelaide knew she wouldn't resign from White Corporation to return to Tristan.
So, for an ordinary woman like her, she either had to give up everything for Tristan or stay far away from him.
Especially now, when she might bring trouble to Tristan.
"Ms. Grey," Hazel said, entering the room.
Katniss quickly turned her head, using her hand to support her forehead and wipe away her tears.
But Hazel still saw it. "The meeting starts in ten minutes."
She reminded her softly. The first time she saw Katniss, she thought Katniss was a cold, stunningly beautiful person.
The second time was at the coffee shop downstairs at White Corporation, where she thought Katniss was very capable.
But she never expected to see Katniss crying.
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