Chapter 279 The Taylor Family and the Wellington Family are Competing Again.
Patrick's eyes narrowed, and he snapped, "What the hell are you talking about? What does Joyce have to do with me?"
"Come on, before you met me, you were already a secret shareholder, and that was when Joyce was blowing up! There were tons of rumors about you two. Reporters even caught you hanging out with her. Are you seriously saying there was nothing between you two?" Tiffany's voice trembled with anger as she mentioned Joyce, her eyes blazing.
She had chosen Patrick not just because he was the Wellington heir, but because everyone said the man behind Joyce's success was Patrick!
Whatever Joyce had, Tiffany wanted to take. And if she couldn't have it, she'd destroy it herself!
Patrick's brows knitted together, anger simmering in his eyes.
"There was nothing between Joyce and me," he said firmly.
Tiffany flinched under his intense gaze, feeling a pang of fear.
"If there was something between Joyce and I, do you think I'd leave her and marry you? I'm not the type to make the woman I like be my mistress," Patrick added.
Tiffany felt like she was being strangled, struggling to breathe.
On the surface, his words seemed fine.
But to her, they were brutal!
It was like she was just a stand-in for Joyce, and Patrick married her as a second choice!
"So, you did like her back then, and you still haven't gotten over her, right?" Tiffany shook Patrick's arm, her tear-filled eyes red. "Patrick! Joyce is a slut! She was involved with so many men and ruined herself with drugs! Any man who got involved with her would ruin his own reputation!"
Patrick felt a wave of discomfort hearing this.
He did know Joyce before he met Tiffany.
Back then, in terms of fame, beauty, and talent, Tiffany couldn't compare to Joyce.
In his mind, Joyce wasn't as bad as Tiffany made her out to be. Even when she tested positive for drugs and was kicked out of the industry, he felt she was framed and didn't look down on her.
"I know what kind of person Joyce is. Besides, if she was really that bad, do you think Charlie would marry her?" Patrick's voice was colder than ever. "Back then, I just felt sorry for Joyce, being bullied and ostracized without saying a word. As a shareholder and one of the bosses, I looked out for her because she was a promising artist. I don't get why you're bringing up these old rumors now. I married you because you understood me, accepted me, and were generous. But now, with you constantly bringing up these irrelevant things, it makes me question if marrying you was the right choice!"
Tiffany's eyes went wide, her face twisting in pain.
Patrick's words felt like a dull knife, slicing her heart into pieces.
"Patrick, I was pregnant with your child back then, dealing with all the ridicule and pressure of being unrecognized, just to be with you. How can you talk to me like this?"
Seeing Tiffany break down, Patrick finally softened. He sighed deeply and patted her trembling back. "Stop crying. I was a bit harsh. Don't take it to heart."
In the past, Tiffany wouldn't have been so easily calmed, but times had changed. She now knew when to back off.
So she quickly clung to Patrick, almost melting into his arms. "Patrick, don't be mad at me. I just care about you too much, love you too much, and fear losing you."
With that, Tiffany pressed her tear-soaked lips to his.
At the Mugden mansion.
As the weather got colder, Evelyn stopped kayaking alone behind the mansion, but she never slacked off on her fitness routine.
Right now, Evelyn was wearing a tight, sexy light pink workout outfit, running hard on the treadmill, her face flushed and sweating.
William held a towel in one hand and a water bottle in the other, reporting to Evelyn in a gentle voice, "Miss, Mr. Charlie Taylor and Mr. Wellington have both sent out the guest lists for their banquets. I compared them, and there's a fifty percent overlap."
Evelyn said calmly, "As expected."
"I'm a bit worried now," William said, looking concerned. "Mrs. Joyce Taylor's birthday party is at KS WORLD, while Tiffany's is at the Wellington family's hotel. This puts us in competition again."
"Get it straight, we don't want to have anything to do with Tiffany. She's the one being shameless, choosing to celebrate her birthday on the same day as Joyce's." Evelyn was running fast but still had the energy to mock Tiffany.
"Indeed, Tiffany is deliberately causing trouble. But this time, the birthday party is not at our Hameen but at Mugden. I'm afraid..." William said.
"You're afraid the guests will only show respect to Patrick and ignore Charlie?"
"Yes."
"Don't worry."
Evelyn got off the treadmill, and William, seeing her forehead drenched in sweat, habitually picked up the towel to wipe it for her.
She widened her eyes, snatched the towel, and said somewhat awkwardly, "I'll do it myself."
William's heart tightened, and he pressed his lips together, feeling that Evelyn's attitude towards him had become somewhat distant.
'Even though I confessed to her before, haven't we talked it out? I never had any extravagant hopes, but why does it feel like our relationship has taken a step back?' he thought.
"This time, the Alexander family is on our guest list. Not only that, but I also sent an invitation to Eric, and he was thrilled, immediately agreeing to ditch the Wellington family and attend Joyce's birthday party." Evelyn averted her gaze from William's somber face and wiped her sweat with a towel. "On our guest list, we have the two major families of Mugden, the Alexander family and the Clark family, and all the attendees are influential figures."
She continued, "Those who are on the fence or undecided will soon have their answers. After all, the era of the Wellington family and the Alexander family sharing the spotlight is coming to an end. Once I become the CEO of KS, it will be a three-way power struggle! The Taylor family has a deep friendship with the Alexander family, and with Eric supporting me, do you think those people will still show respect to Patrick?"
William nodded repeatedly. "You're right."
Evelyn picked up the cup and drank water through the straw, not giving William a single glance the entire time.
"Miss," William called her softly, his voice tinged with sadness, and cautiously asked, "Have I done something wrong recently? "
Evelyn's long lashes fluttered and she said, puzzled, "No, not at all."
"There definitely is." William was anxious, his handsome face faintly red. "Miss, if I did something wrong, you can tell me, and I'll change."
"William, you haven't done anything wrong. It's just that you're almost thirty, and I can't have your life revolve around me. You should have your own life and experience a date."
"Miss."
"Jennifer has been close to you since childhood, and I see that you two have a good relationship now. I can also tell that you like her." Evelyn sincerely tried to matchmake them. "Why don't you try dating her? Don't feel pressured. You are well-educated, and Charlie has even taken you in as a godson. You and Jennifer being together would be a perfect match!"
"Miss, I appreciate your kindness." William's heart pounded, but his tone was firmer than ever. "I treat Ms. Jennifer Taylor well because she is your sister and Mr. Taylor's daughter. It's only right for me to be good to her. Moreover, as you said, I've watched her grow up, and I only have sibling feelings for Jennifer."
In the evening, after finishing his work, Edward returned to Riverside Villa.
In the past few days, the temperature in Mugden had dropped rapidly, and it seemed like it would snow soon.
He had been suppressing a cough all the way home, but as soon as he entered the door, he couldn't stop coughing violently, perhaps due to the clash of hot and cold air in his chest.
"Mr. Wellington!" May hurried over, seeing Edward's face turn pale and red from coughing, her heart aching. "Mr. Wellington, what's wrong? Are you catching a cold?"
"It's nothing, May. Just get me some hot water," Edward said, trying to brush off her concern.
"But you don't look like it's nothing!" May insisted. "How about calling a private doctor to check on you?"
"It's really nothing. Some medicine will do," Edward smiled reassuringly.
"Mr. Edward Wellington, Mr. Patrick Wellington requests your presence in the study. He has something to discuss with you," the butler announced.
In the study, as soon as Edward entered, his brows furrowed.
On the sofa, Patrick and Tiffany were wearing matching velvet robes. Tiffany had light makeup on, her hair slightly messy, and she leaned closely against Patrick, occasionally kissing his cheek.
The scene made Edward want to turn around and leave, feeling physically uncomfortable.
"Alright, Edward is here," Patrick said, trying to maintain some decorum and lightly chided Tiffany.
"We'll continue later," Tiffany said, her well-manicured fingers drawing circles on Patrick's chest, her eyes seductive.
"Dad, did you need something?" Edward asked, unable to hide his irritation.
"The weekend is your mother's birthday banquet. How are the preparations going?" Patrick asked.
"My mother's birthday banquet?" Edward's lips curled into a bitter smile. "For years, I've spent my mother's birthday with her at the cemetery. You've never prepared anything for her, nor have you ever visited her. Why the sudden interest this time?"
Patrick was taken aback, his expression stiffening.
"If you're asking about Tiffany's birthday, sorry, that's not my responsibility, and I haven't prepared anything," Edward said, his smile fading. "Tiffany is not my mother. You and Debra can handle it. Outsiders like me shouldn't interfere."
The word "outsider" infuriated Patrick. "Aren't you a Wellington? Aren't you benefiting from the Wellington family, serving as the CEO of the Wellington Group? And you still dare to speak so arrogantly?"
Tiffany, lying on Patrick, had a sinister smile at the corner of her eyes.
"Do you have anything else? If not, I'm going to rest," Edward said, not wanting to waste any more energy on this argument.
"Edward, I haven't finished talking. Get back here!" Patrick stood up angrily, almost throwing Tiffany off.
"By the way, I forgot to tell you something," Edward said, stopping in his tracks, his tall and imposing figure standing there without turning back. "I won't be attending Tiffany's birthday banquet."
Tiffany's face changed drastically upon hearing this.
"What do you mean?" Patrick was instantly shocked. "If you don't attend your own family's banquet, are you planning to attend the Taylor family's party?"
"Yes. Is that not allowed?" Edward answered.
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