Chapter 518 Charles Learns of Martin's Passing
When Charles stumbled upon the news of Martin's passing online, he hesitated to break it to Randy and Fannie. He waited until they were both asleep before heading to the main bedroom to seek clarity from Patricia. When he reached the living room, he found Patricia sitting alone on the couch, nursing in silence.
He tiptoed over and sat beside her, whispering gently, "Mommy, drinking too much is bad for your health."
Patricia, not expecting him to be up at this hour, was momentarily startled. She set her glass on the coffee table, struggling to suppress the bitterness in her heart, and asked, "Why are you still awake?"
Charles felt a suffocating tightness in his chest as if cotton was clogging his airways.
"Mommy, I saw the news that Dad has died." His voice turned to a hush, especially low and heavy when he uttered the word 'died.' It took all his strength to say it.
Patricia shuddered, wanting to deny it, but upon seeing Charles's eyes grow redder, the words she had ready died on her lips. Her throat tightened, and she embraced Charles, pressing his head against her chest.
Charles felt warm drops falling on his face. He knew they were his mommy's tears. Though Patricia did not answer, he understood the truth.
Tears began to stream down his face. He finally understood the reason behind his mommy's recent spells of melancholy. He also realized why his great-grandparents had come to stay with them so suddenly and for so long.
Why was Jade constantly by his mommy's side? It was all because Daddy had died. He would never see Daddy again.
Charles gripped Patricia's arm, attempting to suppress his sobs and maintain composure. However, as he spoke, his emotional turmoil became evident. "Why did this happen?"
Patricia struggled to find words. "Charles, I promise to care for you, your brothers, and your sisters, even in the absence of your father."
Her tone conveyed a palpable sense of helplessness and sorrow, emanating from deep within.
His hand slid up Patricia's arm, and suddenly, his palm sensed something. After a couple of pats, he pulled away from her embrace and pushed up her sleeve. His eyes were met with the shocking sight of bloodstains. Tears streamed down Charles's face in an instant.
In a rare burst of emotion, he asked, "Mommy, how did you get these wounds? Did you do this to yourself?"
Patricia, reluctant to distress him further, attempted to withdraw her arm, hastily reaching for her sleeve to conceal the injured skin. But Charles refused to relent, his grip unwavering
"Did you do this to yourself?" he demanded. His voice unintentionally rose in intensity, signaling his anger to Patricia.
Despite his usual bravado and sharp tongue, she discerned the genuine fury in his tone, distinct from his usual feigned irritation.
"Charles, I'm sorry! I won't do it again!" she pleaded.
Charles seethed with anger, his cheeks flushed and body trembling. "Why would you hurt yourself like this? Dad's gone, but do you no longer care about us? Are your children not important to you anymore?"
Patricia struggled to respond. "It's not like that. I was just so heartbroken—"
"Don't make excuses. If you cared about us, you wouldn't do this. Do you not want to live?"
With that, he rose to leave.
Desperately, Patricia reached out, pulling him back into her embrace, frantically attempting to explain. "Mommy knows you're angry, and I apologize. When I heard about your daddy's passing, the shock was overwhelming. The pain in my heart was unbearable, and I thought doing this would ease the pain. Jade has already scolded me. I won't do anything foolish again. For you kids, I must keep living. I want to see you grow up, go to college, and start your own families."
Whether Charles accepted her explanation or not, he wriggled free from her arms and asked with a stoic face, "Did it relieve the heartache?"
Patricia paused, then offered a bitter smile and shook her head. "How could it possibly have helped?"
Charles then pushed her sleeve back up, revealing a network of scabs that seemed particularly ominous in the moonlight, resembling sinister spider webs.
Gently, Charles caressed her arm, tears falling onto the bruised skin.
Startled, Patricia quickly reassured him, "It's healed now. It doesn't hurt anymore! Please don't cry. Mommy can't bear to see you upset!"
Looking up at her with tear-filled eyes, Charles spoke with sorrow and guilt, "Mommy, I'm sorry. I've been so oblivious. You've been acting differently lately, and I never thought to ask why. It took me too long to realize. I won't let it happen again. Even though I'm just five, I'm strong enough to protect you and my siblings."
Feeling a pang of heartache, Patricia ruffled his hair and kissed his forehead. "Mommy knows, sweetheart. Mommy knows how obedient and sensible you are. It's getting late; you should go to bed. You have school tomorrow."
Charles hesitated, his brow furrowed with concern. "Mommy, do you have another problem?"
Surprised, Patricia asked, "Why do you think that?"
Charles responded, "I saw it on the news. Since Daddy's accident, companies working with the Langley Group are pulling out, and shareholders are causing a stir."
Patricia stroked his head, "Yes, but that's not something you need to worry about. Focus on your studies."
Determinedly, Charles said, "Give me a few days, Mommy. I'm sure I can solve these problems for you."
Patricia chuckled at his seriousness. "How would you handle it, little rascal? The snakes in those companies are very sly."
"I can do it. I know I can."
Patricia couldn't take his words seriously. The situation surrounding Martin's death was escalating, with relentless efforts to disrupt the Langley Group's stock market.
Patricia was at her wit's end. "Alan just called. They've had numerous shareholder meetings, trying to find a solution. If this continues, we may need help to protect the empire Martin worked so hard to build. Sooner or later, they'll appoint a new CEO."
Riley offered a suggestion, "Actually, I might have an idea."
Patricia's eyes sparkled with a hint of hope. "What is it?"
Riley's lips curved into a smile.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
