Chapter 1475 Cooperation
In the quiet café, Julia took a big gulp of coffee, staying silent.
The bitterness hit her hard, twisting her heart into knots.
For the first time in years, someone had dug up the past she’d tried so hard to bury.
No one knew it was the deepest scar of her youth.
"No one’s given more than you," Derek said softly, looking at her. "Are you really ready to let all this go?"
"Derek, how did you find out about all this?" Julia suddenly asked.
"I’ve known for a long time," Derek replied.
Julia stared at him for a moment, then smiled. "Derek, has anyone ever told you you’re scarier than your dad? You were so young back then, yet you had control over so many things."
"Julia, I’m just like you. Grandpa told me from a young age that my dad was destined to become President, and as his only son, I had to be more aware than anyone else, or I’d drag him down." Derek smiled bitterly, but his eyes were sincere. "I never thought of using this to blackmail you. This is your secret, but I genuinely felt heartache for you. However, I also understand that you’re not someone who regrets easily."
"You’re right. Even if I had to do it all over again, I’d still make the same choice." Julia said self-deprecatingly, "Maybe it’s like when I broke up with Elliott. I’m a cold-hearted devil. When I threatened Laura with pregnancy, he came and cursed me, calling me despicable and shameless, saying that the biggest regret of his life was falling in love with me."
"Julia, you can’t blame yourself. Everyone wants to be the good guy, so they forced you to be the bad guy. Even if you hadn’t threatened Laura, someone else would have." Derek comforted her softly, "And you’ve always taken care of us since we were kids. Because of you, our childhoods were happy. In my eyes, you are never just a tool to be used. I genuinely respect you."
Julia said nothing, just stared unblinkingly at the Jude Group building outside.
"Julia, I know you still care about Elliott," Derek said. "The Miller Family has developed so smoothly in just a few years because you’ve been secretly looking out for them. Even before Laura came to Whisperlyn City, you were already taking care of the Miller Family."
"Derek, I feel like I’m standing naked in front of you," Julia said mockingly. "What else do you know? Just cut all the nonsense."
"I also know that the Miller Family recently introduced a girl to Elliott. They get along very well, and if things continue like this, they should be getting married next year."
Derek took out a photo of Elliott and a pretty girl having coffee together.
Julia stared at the photo, feeling a pang of pain in her heart.
"Julia, your life has always been controlled by your family. Don’t you want to seize the opportunity to live for yourself? In families like ours, only by having absolute power can we do what we want. You don’t want a future without love or career." Derek slowly stood up and put on his coat. "Besides, are you sure Michael and Aaron’s future wives will treat you well? Your fate will be to be discarded after being used. You're the smartest in your family. I hope that when I stand on that high platform in the future, it's you backing me up, not someone else. I'll wait for your message."
With that, he left.
Julia sat alone in the café for a long time.
Derek had only been driving for about twenty minutes when he got a message from Julia: [I'll cooperate with you.]
He smiled.
The more someone gave and sacrificed, the harder it was for them to be without resentment.
Especially someone like Julia, who had been in a high position for so long.
But Julia had always respected her elders and listened to her parents and grandfather. She needed a push from behind.
That push was Elliott, Megan, and Michael.
Others didn't get it, but Derek knew best that among James's three kids, the most formidable wasn't Michael, but Julia.
Derek could only sigh.
He didn't want to go this far with Michael.
But for Laura's sake, Derek didn't want to see her spend the rest of her life in pain.
When you cared about someone, you wanted to protect them and make them happy.
Two days later, Michael contacted Laura again.
This time, Laura arranged to meet him at the entrance of the civil court.
She wasn't supposed to be discharged, but she took leave and was brought there by Cassie, who pushed her wheelchair.
By the time they arrived, Michael had been waiting at the entrance for a while, dressed in a white cashmere coat, blue jeans, and khaki Martin boots.
Michael was as handsome and attractive as ever, and many girls entering and leaving the civil court were sneaking glances at him.
Once, Laura had also thought Michael was good-looking.
When Michael had confessed to her, she had been secretly thrilled to be liked by such a handsome man.
But things had changed.
Facing him again, Laura thought that if she had a knife in her hand, she might not hesitate to stab him.
Michael first saw Cassie get out of the car, then open the trunk and take out the wheelchair.
He frowned and walked over to help, but a bodyguard was quicker and placed Laura in the wheelchair.
Michael's hand froze in mid-air, then slowly lowered.
Laura lifted her indifferent eyes. "Let's go, sign the papers."
"Did you sign the document I gave you?" Michael asked, pursing his lips. "Did you agree to give up the child?"
"I agreed to a divorce with nothing, but I won't agree to give up custody of the child." Laura shook her head. "Let's handle the divorce first."
Michael immediately frowned in frustration. "You arranged to meet me here, I thought you had come to your senses. If you don't give me custody of the child, I won't divorce you."
Laura calmly looked up and spread her hands. "Fine, I don't have a man to make up with, nor do I plan to remarry. But you, we can drag this out for years. Are you sure Megan can wait after what she's been through?"
Michael was furious. Megan certainly couldn't wait. She had been overjoyed when she had found out he was coming to finalize the divorce today.
"We can fight for custody in court," Laura sneered. "Or you can use my kidnapping of Megan to threaten me. Go ahead, call the police. Ruin my reputation, send me to jail. But as long as I'm not in prison, I will never give up custody of Maeve."
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