Chapter 1495 Flustered
Not sure if it was because Michael was too loud or just too sure of himself, but Laura's mind went blank for a few seconds.
Derek liked her?
That seemed unlikely.
But Derek was really good to her, and to Maeve too.
Laura suddenly felt a bit flustered.
Everyone was staring at Derek now.
Especially Eric, who looked seriously pissed.
Derek, calm as ever, said, "Of course I like her. Not just me, my parents like her too. It's not just about liking; there's sympathy and compassion. My mom says the more you get to know Laura, the more you see her pure qualities. Michael, maybe to you, Laura is a vicious and despicable woman, but our whole family doesn't think so."
"Don't give me that," Michael sneered impatiently. "You just don't dare to admit it."
"Michael, don't you think you're being a jerk?"
The warmth in Derek's eyes was fading, replaced by coldness. "Today is your daughter's celebration party. In front of everyone, you insist that I, her so-called brother, admit to liking your ex-wife. Are you trying to save face, or do you want everyone to think your marriage was ruined by Laura's betrayal and that you're innocent? Or do you want people to believe your wife divorced you and immediately got involved with another man, so you can feel better? Don't you think you're being too selfish? Do I need to tell everyone that you and Megan got married two days ago?"
Derek had always been gentle and smiling; it was the first time anyone in the Jude Family had seen him angry.
Derek's face bore some resemblance to Carl's. Even though Derek was younger, his angry expression was exactly like Carl's, making people genuinely scared.
Suddenly, the entire dinner room fell silent.
Those who had doubted Derek and Laura's relationship immediately became even more disappointed in Michael.
The Jude Family relatives couldn't understand why Michael would marry such a woman.
Michael's face looked terrible under everyone's gaze. "I had no choice but to marry Megan. Her life is ruined, and I have to take responsibility."
Derek pulled out a chair and walked out, saying coldly, "You can take responsibility however you want; none of us are stopping you. But you can't say such things in front of everyone today. You'll embarrass Laura. What do you want? Do you want to ruin her reputation so she has no place in the Jude Family?"
Laura's pupils trembled slightly.
To be honest, if today's matter wasn't handled properly, the people of the Jude Family might really start to dislike Laura.
Laura didn't really care, but she was afraid it would affect Maeve.
Clearly, James and Caroline also looked displeased.
"Bastard." James angrily slammed the table.
"I never thought about these things," Michael glared angrily at Derek, saying, "I just want to expose your hypocritical nature. I swear, you do like Laura."
"Enough."
Laura couldn't bear it anymore and glared at Michael with red eyes. "We are already divorced. Derek and I are innocent; we haven't even held hands. Even though I live in the Presidential Palace, he lives in one building, and I live in another. I don't understand. Just because he helps me, does that mean he likes me? Am I not worthy of sympathy? Am I not pitiful enough?"
"What do you have to be pitiful about? Are you more pitiful than Megan?" Michael shot back without thinking.
Laura just laughed.
Caroline thundered over, expressionless, and slapped Michael across the face.
"Get out," she said, her chest heaving with anger. She pointed outside. "You didn't come back to spend time with Maeve; you came to cause trouble."
Thunderstruck, Michael widened his eyes.
In his memory, this was the first time Caroline had slapped him in front of so many people.
Eric sighed in disappointment.
Aaron chimed in, "Michael, you really went too far. I get where Derek's coming from. I also like Laura and sympathize with her. Are you gonna say I like Laura too? In your eyes, does everyone who helps Laura have an ambiguous relationship with her?"
Julia coldly ordered, "Someone, escort Michael out. He doesn't belong here today."
As soon as she finished speaking, several bodyguards came in and grabbed Michael's arms.
"Julia, this is my house. What right do you have to make me leave?"
Michael's eyes turned red with anger, and his body trembled with rage.
Julia's cold gaze swept over him with an inherent authority. "You came today, and all you had to do was give Maeve a gift and spend time with her. No one would have said anything. But you came and caused trouble. You, who betrayed your marriage, keep accusing your ex-wife and your cousin. It's fine if you're foolish, but at the very least you should know how to respect others. Since you don't, please leave."
"If you want to come back, wait until this dinner is over."
As soon as Julia finished speaking, the bodyguards forcibly dragged Michael out.
"Laura, you have no right to stop me from seeing Maeve. If you don't let me see her, I'll take you to court."
Michael's angry voice came from outside the window.
Laura closed her eyes, feeling exhausted.
She might never want to come here again.
Everyone could see Laura's thoughts.
James said bitterly, "Laura, I apologize on Michael's behalf."
"It's okay, I'm used to it. Every time we meet, Michael either scolds me or humiliates me."
Laura wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes and continued, "If you want to see Maeve next time, I'll have the nanny bring her here for a day. You can call Michael over, and he can spend time with Maeve. But he can't take Maeve out of your sight, and he can't speak ill of me in front of her. I've never said anything bad about him in front of Maeve. The grudges between adults are just that—grudges between adults. They have nothing to do with the child."
"Laura, thank you." Caroline and James felt very ashamed.
They also understood the meaning behind Laura's words. She probably wouldn't come here again.
They could understand.
Michael had showed no respect to Laura at all; he had almost destroyed her. If Derek hadn't spoken up for her today, Laura's reputation would have been ruined.
After dinner, they sat for a while longer, and then Derek took Laura to leave.
The two of them didn't look happy.
After the guests gradually left, leaving only James and Caroline, Eric sighed deeply. "Michael was a smart kid when he was young. Megan has made him dumber and dumber. Really, how did he become so stupid? His life is ruined. He probably doesn't realize the consequences of tonight."
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
