Chapter 446 Past Events, Past Emotions
Hearing him mention Evelyn, Byron's expression suddenly changed, becoming even more sullen.
"What did you say? What do you mean by that?"
"Evelyn has always been at odds with Tiffany, and this was well-known even before she divorced Edward. Think about it carefully, since their divorce, when has she shown up without causing trouble for the Wellington family?"
"This time, it happened again because she was present. Even if she doesn't care about Tiffany's face, she should at least consider the Wellington family's reputation for your and Edward's sake!"
Patrick initially just wanted to cover up his mistake of misjudging people, but the more he spoke, the more he got into it, venting all his old and new grievances against Evelyn, almost convincing himself.
"Yesterday's funeral was such a solemn occasion. What grudge did she have to choose that moment to act out? Even if she had one, couldn't she wait until after the funeral?"
"By doing this, she wants to be an enemy of the Wellington family. The situation turned out this way entirely because of Evelyn's repeated reckless actions, attacking the Wellington family without considering the consequences!"
"From what you're saying, you think this is Evelyn's fault?" Byron's sharp eyes narrowed.
"At the very least, Evelyn has an undeniable responsibility," Patrick answered, trying to shirk responsibility.
"Bastard!" Byron grabbed the phone on the table and threw it at Patrick!
This time, Patrick dodged it.
"Our family's servant died unexpectedly, and you and Tiffany, as the owners of Riverside Villa, are so indifferent to a human life! Since the incident, you haven't reacted at all. It was Evelyn who brought her family to help that poor child with the funeral, giving the child enough respect and dignity."
"You not only did nothing and showed no gratitude, but you also couldn't control Tiffany and even distorted the truth, blaming the innocent Evelyn. You're quite old now, bullying a girl in her early twenties. Don't you have any shame left?"
Byron couldn't stay calm, his eyes reddened with anger, and his pale, dry lips trembled uncontrollably. "Patrick, when did you become so cold-blooded and cruel, unable to distinguish right from wrong?"
"Or have you always been like this, never changed, and it was I who was blind and foolish, only now seeing you clearly!"
Patrick was stunned!
He looked at Byron's angry eyes staring at him, feeling as if his blood had frozen, and the veins on his temples throbbed.
"So, deep down, you never really approved of me, did you? Back then, compared to Gary, you would have preferred it if I went to prison, right?"
Byron's pupils contracted sharply, and he slammed the armrest of his wheelchair. "You and Gary are both my sons; in my eyes, you are the same! I never had any favoritism, but you always made wild guesses, overthinking, and that's why you felt I was always favoring Gary and ignoring you!"
"But now, I do regret it. I regret not throwing you into prison back then, letting you serve a few years to clear your head! I regret not having someone get rid of Tiffany when you insisted on marrying her!"
"I regret not protecting Edward and Amanda back then, letting him lose his mother at a young age, and letting you miss out on a woman who truly loved you!"
"Loved me? What are you saying?" Patrick's face turned pale, and he asked in a daze.
Byron thought of Amanda and couldn't help but feel a surge of bitterness. "Amanda loved only one man from beginning to end, and that was you. She never changed her heart."
"I've always wondered who Edward inherited his infatuated nature from. I thought it was from me, but later I realized it was from his mother, Amanda."
"Impossible, how could that be?"
Patrick trembled with confusion, his eyes chaotic. "If she had feelings for me, why didn't she want to get a marriage license with me and become my legal wife? If she loved me, why was she so cold to me? She wouldn't even let me touch her."
"Because she was in poor health at the time and suffered from severe depression, enduring immense physical and mental pain. Every morning when she woke up, the first thing she thought about was how she should die, but she couldn't bear to leave her young son, Edward."
Patrick staggered back half a step, his heart tightening in spasms of pain.
Back then, he knew Amanda had depression, but apart from being reclusive and taciturn, she didn't show any particularly abnormal behavior.
Moreover, in those days, there was little understanding of depression, and many patients were ignored by their families or even scolded for being "pretentious." So, Patrick didn't know Amanda's condition was so severe, and being a busy CEO, he neglected her.
Byron's aged eyes showed a hint of sorrow. "At first, I also thought she was trying to manipulate you or had someone else in her heart when she refused to marry you and distanced herself from you."
"But one day, Amanda came to me while you were on a business trip and told me everything on her mind."
"Mr. Wellington, I'm here to ask you for one thing."
Byron recalled Amanda at that time, standing in front of him without makeup, dressed simply, yet still stunningly beautiful, evoking a strong protective instinct in men. No wonder Patrick was so infatuated with her.
"I hope you will allow me to leave Patrick and Riverside Villa."
"You want to leave? What about Edward? Are you taking him with you?" Byron couldn't stay calm after hearing this.
Amanda shook her head lightly.
"This is the main reason I came to see you. I will leave alone, taking nothing with me, including Edward."
"Edward is my son, but he is also Patrick's son, your grandson. Over these days, I can see that you genuinely care for Edward. Knowing he has a grandfather who loves him, I will be at peace and satisfied no matter where I am."
"Besides, I know my health condition. If Edward stays with a mother like me, it will be torture every day. Over time, our mother-son bond will eventually wear out. I don't want Edward to hate me."
Byron could see that Amanda, though weak, was wise.
He knew that what the Wellington family could provide, she could never give in her lifetime. And if Edward stayed with the Wellington family, he would live a prosperous life and grow up to be a successful person.
"I want to ask you a question. I don't understand why you want to leave at this critical moment?"
Byron, though secretly pleased she wasn't taking Edward, couldn't help but ask curiously, "You are now Patrick's beloved woman. He has tried every possible way to make you smile."
"And he wants to get a marriage license with you. You should know that if you become his legal wife, you will be the true mistress of the Wellington family. And you have given birth to a son; Edward, barring any accidents, is likely to be the future heir of the Wellington family."
"With wealth and honor right in front of you, you still want to leave. Can you really bear to do that?"
"Or do you have someone you love outside, and you are with Patrick only because of our power, not out of true love?"
As the words fell, Byron felt he had gone too far.
But Amanda showed no sign of resentment, remaining calm.
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