Chapter 1640 I Love Her
"Do you really think Laura cares about that little bonus? She's never been someone who cares about money because she comes from a family that doesn't lack it. Her parents and brothers adore her."
Derek couldn't hold back his frustration any longer. "Do you know what Laura has lost? Just like now, I like her, I'm with her, and all of you are trying to stop us. Why? Just because she's divorced and has a child? For a woman, being divorced means people will mock her, look down on her. And you all think she's taking advantage of the Jude family. It's ridiculous."
Violet and Caroline fell silent simultaneously.
Michael disagreed, "If it weren't for the Jude family backing her, would DreamDazzle Beauty Co. have been so successful?"
"Yeah, it's all thanks to the Jude family, right? Laura's friend Cassie is just for show?" Derek retorted sharply. "After you divorced, DreamDazzle Beauty Co. thrived. Was that also because of the Jude family?"
Michael's face turned awkward, but he was still unwilling to give in. Just as he was about to speak, even Eric couldn't stand it anymore. "Michael, shut up. Stop talking."
After a pause, Eric said, "Derek, things have come to this point. We don't want to pursue it further. Just break up with Laura quickly and don't see her again. Let's end this matter here."
"Why?" Derek looked straight into Eric's eyes. "Because she's divorced? Because she has a child? Because she's my cousin's ex-wife? Or because she's my nominal god-sister?"
"Since you know all that, why ask?" Carl said angrily. "Today, you two were caught on video fighting in the street. Luckily, I had someone stop it. If it gets out, your life will be stained with a scandal, and it will be hard for you to advance in your career."
"Why would I care about this?" Derek said calmly, "I like Laura. I love her. Even before she got married, I already liked her. But I met her too late; she already had a child. I wasn't qualified. I just hoped Michael would cherish her a bit more. I never helped her get a divorce because she was the woman I liked. I would have done the same for any woman in her situation because she was a victim. She was unhappy and wanted to escape her cage, so I helped her."
"Even after Laura's divorce, I saw how hard it was for her as a single woman. I saw her being wrongfully accused by Michael and getting her ribs broken. From that moment, I wanted to protect her. If others couldn't give her happiness, I would."
Derek looked at everyone. "Laura didn't even know I liked her before. She treated me as family, as a friend. Later, through my efforts, she accepted me. I don't think we did anything wrong. She's single, I'm single, and we're of similar age. Just because of her marriage with Michael, we can't be together? Is there a law against it?"
"Because I'm the president's son, because I'm a member of the Jude family, I can't marry a divorced woman? But who made her divorced? It was the Jude family."
"Because you're afraid my life will be stained, I have to break up with her? I don't see it as a stain. I'm not living for others. You want me to follow my dad's path, but this is my life, not yours."
"And I think the Jude family is too greedy. The goal used to be to have one president. Now, you want two presidents. Will you want three presidents in the future? Do you want the entire Madison to be controlled by the Jude family?"
Everyone was shocked.
"Shut up," Carl said furiously, pointing at him, his body trembling. "You're crazy to say such things."
"I'm just voicing your thoughts."
Derek quickly regained his composure and said calmly, "Dad, do we really have that much power? Look at Michael, who you once had high hopes for. He's been ruined by Megan. Ask Aaron if he wants his descendants to bear that pressure. To be blunt, the Jude Group would have fallen apart if it weren't for Julia."
"Others may not be able to keep the Jude family prosperous," Eric said, looking at him. "But with your and Julia's abilities, it's possible."
"Grandpa, have you asked Julia?" Derek said. "Julia is on my side. We think alike."
Everyone was stunned, and Eric's face turned extremely ugly.
Michael laughed coldly, "Derek, you're so cunning. No wonder you convinced your parents to let Julia become the president of the Jude Group. You've been planning this from the start, haven't you?"
He paused and looked at Carl. "Carl, don't you see? Derek has long been unwilling to be under you. He's been eyeing your position, Grandpa. He wants to be the head of the Jude family."
This time, no one refuted Michael's words.
Everyone looked serious.
Their gazes at Derek were filled with anger.
For these older people, none of them wanted to be controlled by a younger generation in the end.
Especially Eric, who stood up in a rage. "Derek, explain yourself. Is what he said true? Do you want my position? Do you want to be the head of the Jude family?"
Derek felt disappointed.
Michael might not be competent, but he was good at sowing discord.
"Grandpa, don't you think you're being contradictory?" Derek sighed lightly. "On one hand, you want me to be like my father. On the other hand, you want me to be a puppet that listens to you. Do you think a puppet can stand out among a pack of wolves? The one who can break out is a wolf. Maybe this wolf doesn't want to be the king, but he won't be content to follow others. Of course, if you just want a puppet, then the glory of the Jude family ends here."
Eric's face was tense with anger. "You talk a good game, but I think you haven't learned to fly yet, and your wings are already hard."
Derek knelt on the ground. "Grandpa, if everyone is dissatisfied with me and fears I threaten their positions, I can voluntarily leave the family. I'm kneeling here today not just for Laura and me, but for myself. My life, the path I want to take, and how far I can go are my own business. I don't want to be your puppet, your marionette."
Carl said angrily, "Derek, get it straight. If it weren't for me, James, and your grandpa, would you have your career today? Since you accepted the Jude family's resources, you have to shoulder your responsibilities."
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