Chapter 1643 Are There No Women Left in the World?
James rubbed his temples, "So you want me to support you, to let you compete with Julia? But Michael, I don't see your capability. What I see is your narrow-mindedness and extremism. You've lost the demeanor of a leader, and these traits will lead the Jude Group to ruin."
"Dad, you just don't believe in me." Michael raised his head to meet his gaze.
"Believe in you?" James laughed as if he heard a joke, "I want to believe in you more than anyone else. You are my son, in whom I have high hopes. But if I believed in you, even the Jude family's shares would have been swindled by Megan."
"Dad, that incident taught me a great lesson. I've reflected on it. If I make the same mistake again, I'd be a fool," Michael said excitedly. "Why won't you give me a chance?"
"You've reflected, but you've overdone it." James angrily pushed him to kneel on the cushion, "I'm old, but I'm not senile. Look at you now—you're cynical and resentful, as if everyone has wronged you, as if there are no good people in the world, and only you are right.
"You will stay here tonight and kneel until you've fully reflected on your actions."
James shouted angrily, "Your grandfather is my father. I won't allow you to use him. He's old, and if something goes wrong, it could harm his health."
After saying that, he slammed the door and left.
Caroline quickly came up, "How did it go?"
"I'll be driven to death by him sooner or later." James clutched his chest, "He has become so scheming. He's even using his own grandfather."
Caroline gave a bitter smile, "We all thought that after the incident with Megan, he would have an epiphany. But no. We should find a way to separate Laura and Derek. If this continues, it will bring deeper harm to Michael, and the Jude family will never have peace."
"Do you think I haven't thought of that?" James sighed, "But didn't you hear what Violet said? Derek is her son, and Laura has nothing to do with us anymore. If we interfere, it would be meddling."
"Regardless, we are still Maeve's grandparents."
"But when Michael remarried, did the Miller family come to trouble him? Did they, as Maeve's grandparents, say that your son couldn't marry that woman?" James retorted.
Caroline was left speechless, "Then what should we do? I can't accept it. Laura was my son's ex-wife, and if she becomes Derek's wife, it would be so awkward. It would also become a laughingstock among the wealthy families."
"Let's see how Carl handles it first," James said thoughtfully.
The neon lights on the street at night were colorful.
A black bulletproof car slowly drove by.
Inside the car, Carl had a cold expression, "Violet, the way you spoke to my dad just now was a bit too much, you know? My dad has carefully nurtured me since I was young, placing high hopes on me and my brother. Without my dad, I wouldn't be where I am today."
"So, to respect your dad and for your sake, I have to erase all my contributions?" Violet's face was calm, but her eyes held a hint of sarcasm. "Carl, I don't want to bring up the past or recount how many times the Miller family has helped you. You are the President, and you want dignity, but don't I deserve dignity too?"
"I haven't forgotten, but."
"But I also became the First Lady, and the Miller family gained glory, right?" Violet interrupted him. "Carl, I understand. If it weren't for the Miller family's status, you wouldn't have married me back then. After all, you had a first love."
"That was so many years ago. Why are you bringing it up now?" Carl lowered his voice helplessly. "Derek is so grown up now. Don't you understand our relationship?"
"Carl, if my dad came to you and said that it's all because of the Miller family that you are where you are today, would you feel comfortable?" Violet suddenly asked.
Carl nodded, "Alright, my dad's words were excessive, but he's old now. I'm in a difficult position too. Besides, our priority now is Derek's issue."
Derek, who had been trying to be invisible, suddenly straightened his back when he was mentioned.
Violet glared at Derek and smiled coldly, "The previous incident about being gay, was that your deliberate arrangement? To make us think you liked men and not suspect your relationship with Laura?"
"You've got quite the mind," Carl said through gritted teeth. "You were playing us, weren't you?"
"Mom, Dad, you're both wrong." Derek said with a face full of grievance, "That was indeed a smokescreen, but it wasn't aimed at you. It was aimed at Laura. I wanted her to think I liked men, so she would treat me as a close friend. If she knew I liked her, she wouldn't let me pursue her, and she would quickly move out of the Presidential Palace."
James and Violet were stunned. James frowned, "Do you think I would believe that?"
"If you don't believe it, fine. Think about it. She had just divorced, and I was the President's son. She would have to be crazy to let me pursue her. If you found out, it would anger you, and she wouldn't dare."
"Didn't she later have the guts?" Violet said with a sarcastic smile. "How long have you two been flirting under our noses? We were played by you."
"I later deliberately became friends with her, treating her with utmost care, making her get used to me. Wasn't there a time when I deliberately got close to your friend's daughter? I did it to make her jealous, to let her know that if I had a girlfriend, I wouldn't treat her as well. At the same time, it made her realize she had become dependent on me. Later, when I confessed, she accepted me."
Seeing Derek's somewhat smug look, Violet couldn't bear to look.
To be honest, with Derek's little tricks, he might really have pulled it off.
If he had his eyes on Laura, with Laura's simple nature, she might not have been able to escape.
Carl scolded, "How dare you say that? Are there no other women in the world? Why must it be Laura?"
"Dad, I know you want to say she's had a child and been married. But when feelings come, who can rationally think about all that? If it were rational, it wouldn't be pure feelings; it would be based on interests."
Derek hurriedly added, "Besides, she has had a child, but she hasn't gotten fat or ugly. She's still young and doesn't look like a mother at all."
"So no matter what I say, you've made up your mind to be with her, right?" Carl asked angrily.
"That's right. If you want to punish me, you can send me to the grassroots again. At least there, I'll have plenty of time to date. I won't have to worry about only having one date a week and constantly fearing someone else will pursue Laura," Derek said. "Dad, why don't you arrange my job transfer tomorrow?"
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