Chapter 562 Charles' The Triumph
Witnessing her demeanor, James' of Charles
As James beheld her countenance, his heart softened and the gnawing sensation of jealousy that had taken root within him began to dissipate.
"Actually," he began, his voice faltering, the words lodged stubbornly in his throat. The mere thought of what he was about to utter sent a piercing pain through his heart.
He pursed his lips, steadying his tumultuous emotions, and finally managed to articulate, "Actually, Mr. Langley has been absent for quite some time. His ultimate desire in life was likely to see you content. If you encounter someone you're fond of, you might consider acquainting yourself with them. You're an extraordinary person; I'm convinced you can rediscover happiness."
Upon the conclusion of his speech, Patricia's complexion turned ashen, the color draining from her face until her lips were a startling shade of white.
Feeling a pang of guilt, James hastened to clarify, "I don't want any misunderstandings; I meant no disrespect. If I were in Martin's shoes, I would certainly wish for your happiness and not for you to linger in past sorrows. You… comprehend what I'm attempting to convey, correct?"
Patricia bit her lower lip forcefully, her trouser leg crumpled in her clenched fist.
Her heart was in agony.
It felt akin to a saturated sponge, ceaselessly kneaded and wrung by unyielding hands.
She had already reconciled with the reality of Martin's departure, but hearing these words from James ignited a surge of unbearable pain within her.
Then there was the fleeting, intricate emotion that passed so swiftly she barely had time to grasp it.
She drew a deep breath, suppressing the turbulent emotions and the tears teetering on the brink of release, and responded in a raspy voice, "I understand your sentiment, and I harbor no resentment towards you."
James was besieged by a whirlwind of emotions.
He yearned for Patricia to find happiness.
Yet, he feared that if she truly found someone else, she would erase him entirely from her memory.
This internal struggle plagued him incessantly.
"Actually, that Maximilian from earlier seemed quite respectable! While we're not well-acquainted with him, he has always been held in high regard by society! He maintains a clean personal life, is youthful and talented, and is also rather attractive." The agony of uttering these words was known only to him.
In truth, his impression of Maximilian wasn't derived from public hearsay.
Although he and Maximilian weren't close confidants in the past, through their interactions, he discerned that Maximilian was an honorable man with a gentle disposition, making him an ideal partner.
Patricia silently observed James.
Only after a considerable pause did she manage to muster her voice and respond with a bitter smile, "You needn't concern yourself with me! I fear I might let you down. Some individuals may fall in love numerous times in their lives, but I'm different. My heart is small, too small to accommodate more than one person. Even though he's no longer present, he continues to reside in my heart."
Upon hearing her words, the thin lips concealed behind James's mask involuntarily curled into a beautiful arc.
Even his eyes seemed to glimmer with a hint of amusement.
Although he was aware it wasn't suitable, he couldn't resist.
Oblivious to his shifting expressions, Patricia didn't wish to prolong the conversation and abruptly shifted the topic. "Let's stop this discussion! Let's focus on Maximilian's demands instead! The new system was conceived by Charles, and considering the capabilities of the current technical team at The Langley Group, I'm apprehensive they might not be equipped to fulfill Maximilian's expectations."
James declared, "Our only option at this point is to develop a more sophisticated system. We cannot afford to breach the contract we previously signed; it would cost our company its credibility. While it's advantageous to collaborate with Nexus Holdings Corporation, we must tread carefully to avoid offending the rest of the industry."
Patricia nodded in agreement, "Our thoughts align, James. For the company to grow and strengthen, our reputation is paramount. We cannot risk tarnishing our good name."
James reciprocated her nod, confirming his agreement.
"So, we must design a new system," Patricia stated.
James nodded once more, indicating his concurrence.
"Let me reach out to my son, Charles," Patricia suggested, hesitating slightly. She was torn between her fear that Charles might not be capable of handling the task and her reluctance to deny him the opportunity.
If the task ultimately proved too challenging, it would only lead to guilt and self-reproach for Charles.
James chuckled, "Hasn't he recently taken on Luke as his apprentice? If they collaborate, I don't foresee any significant issues."
Patricia responded with a dry chuckle, instantly recalling Luke's incessant badgering of Charles to accept him as a disciple. The thought left her speechless.
The idea of a grown man constantly hovering around a five-year-old child was uncomfortable to even contemplate.
Patricia retrieved her smartphone and initiated a video call with Charles. Given the time difference, Charles should be having breakfast and available to chat.
As anticipated, the video connected swiftly. Charles was multitasking, holding the phone in one hand while eating his breakfast with the other.
Before Patricia could speak, he promptly updated her on the home front.
"Mom, you don't need to worry about us; I'm taking good care of my younger siblings! Randy has a piano exam coming up, Fannie just made a new friend, Maria is starting to pull herself up to stand on the couch, and Declan has put on a good amount of weight. You focus on your business trip and come back home when you're done."
James, upon hearing Charles's voice, felt a wave of emotion wash over him, his eyes reddening. Fortunately, his bangs concealed his emotional state well enough to go unnoticed.
Patricia, genuinely relieved, responded, "With you there, I can relax!"
Charles, sensing something was amiss, took a sip of his breakfast soup and peered at Patricia through the video, "Mom, is there something you need to tell me? Are you facing some trouble again?"
Patricia felt a blush creep up her cheeks at his question.
Running to her son every time she encountered a problem wasn't typical for most, but it was for her.
She felt like she was failing at motherhood.
"Actually, there is something I was hoping you could help me with!" Patricia confessed.
After explaining the situation, she braced herself for resistance, only to find Charles agreeing to help without hesitation.
"This task? I thought it was a big deal, the way you looked so troubled. No worries; leave it to me. It will be sorted out within three days."
Patricia, taken aback, stuttered, "That quickly?"
Charles shot her a look, "Mom, are you underestimating your son? The only reason it took long last time was due to the chip; for a tech wiz like me, that's a piece of cake. I told you three days because I've got classes; I only have time in the evenings."
Patricia was flabbergasted.
Well, alright then!
Her previous concerns were utterly unwarranted.
Clearly, there was nothing for Charles to worry about.
Even though Charles thought the matter was simple, Patricia still didn't dare make any promises to Maximilian lightly. She preferred to wait until the system was up and running before discussing it with him.
After putting Maximilian's issue on hold, Patricia shifted her focus to Charlotte's case.
Nathan quickly found a reputable psychologist, Dr. Isadora, and scheduled an appointment.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
