Chapter 501
Emmanuel smiled without giving a straight answer.
It was obvious. His wife was number one, of course, though her sister was
quite pretty too.
Sarah carried on leading Emmanuel further in. Quillen residence was
massive. They had to go down two long corridors and pass through à
-luxurious side hall before they reached Felicity’s room.
Her room was just like Mackenzie’s. Even though it was just a room, it was
larger than the average apartment and had all the necessary features.
Emmanuel didn’t see a bed when he walked in. Instead, he was greeted by
what would be an ordinary family’s living room.
“Emmanuel’s here, Mom!”
Sarah called out to Felicity who had her back toward the door.
“Oh!”
Felicity turned around. She was dressed with finery that befitted a wealthy
woman.
“How are you, Mother?”
For some strange reason, Emmanuel was a little stiff and awkward. He never
thought his mother-in-law would be someone of this class in society.
With his level of emotional intelligence, it was already hard enough for him to
communicate with an ordinary mother-in-law, so it was no surprise that he
felt even more pressured in Felicity’s presence.
“Please leave us, Sarah.”
“Yes, Mom.”
Sarah turned around and flashed Emmanuel a smile before leaving.
Now that it was just the two of them, Emmanuel became even more nervous.
He didn’t even know what to do with his hands.
“Have a seat, Emmanuel. I would like to have a private conversation with you.”
Felicity had a pleasant smile on her face as she gestured for him to sit.
Emmanuel nodded. He saw the tea set on Felicity’s table and took the
initiative to make her a cup of tea. At the very least, he didn’t forget his
manners.
Felicity’s intentions had always been to test him, but she didn’t expect him to
be less unrefined than she thought he was. It seemed as if he did know a
thing or two. At the very least, he knew how to use the tea-brewing tools on
her table.
That being said, it wasn’t going to be that easy to marry into a wealthy family.
Emmanuel soon realized something. After washing the tea set, he noticed the
collection of tea bricks on the table. Even the cheapest among them cost
thousands and the most expensive was worth tens of thousands.
Felicity’s lips curved up smugly when she saw Emmanuel stiffening.
“What do you like to drink, Mother?” Emmanuel looked up and asked with a
smile.
“Hmm. Let’s go with the Isle Arbor.”
Felicity also responded with a smile.
Emmanuel opened up the drawer, only to find it empty.
“Oh, dear. I forgot that I finished it. Oh, well. Forget it,” Felicity remarked rather
disappointedly, but her eyes flickered over to Emmanuel.
Emmanuel knew what she meant. If this had been an ordinary family, the
son-in-law’s job was to immediately head out to buy whatever it was the
mother-in-law wanted and promise to bring two bricks of her favorite tea
over on his next trip.
However, this tea wasn’t cheap. It cost tens of thousands per brick of tea!
If Emmanuel’s salary was still only 25 grand a year, he would have to save
everything for two years before he could afford to buy a brick of tea for
Felicity.
“Sigh. I have been a poor host. I’ll have to get someone to replenish it!”
Felicity purposely sighed and said to Emmanuel, “Go ahead and make
whichever tea you like!”
Emmanuel was in no mood to drink tea now. In the past, he would’ve been
stuck between either shamelessly sticking around or leaving at once.
Thankfully, he had over 700 million to his name now. It wouldn’t be a problem
for him to do his duty as a son-in-law and buy some tea for his
mother-in-law.
“In that case, Mother, on my next visit, I’ll bring you a few bricks of Isle Arbor!”
Felicity was stunned by Emmanuel’s response.
Not just one, but a few? Isn’t he an unemployed gynecologist? How can he
afford that?
Chapter 502 1
“Why, thank you!” Felicity responded with impeccable manners. “Terence
Group has been having some issues with cashflow recently, and Mackenzie
has been working so hard. We’re all concerned too. How we wish we could
help her!”
Emmanuel stiffened. Although he didn’t come from the upper echelon of
society and wasn’t well-versed with their manner of speech, he understood
what Felicity was hinting at. She thinks I’m going to ask Mackenzie for money!
Alas, she was yet another person who thought he was simply a pretty face
who relied on Mackenzie for everything.
Emmanuel was a little disgruntled, but he went along with it. “That’s right.
Mackenzie has a lot of things on her plate right now, so that’s why I’ll take up
the responsibility for all matters of the household. I won’t let her spare even a
moment of her time on something as trivial as shopping. I won’t spend any of
her money either.”
Once again, Felicity was startled. How is he going to afford tea that costs tens
of thousands if he doesn’t spend any of her money?
Nevertheless, since Emmanuel sounded so confident, Felicity decided to take
him at his word. She could always expose him once she had solid evidence
to back her up.
Since the company’s crisis had been brought up, Felicity nodded and
continued, “That’s true. Terence Group has quite a number of business rivals
cropping up lately. It’s unlikely that the Quillen family is their target. We’re all
worried about Mackenzie and doing our best to help her, but certain matters
have to be tackled at the root in order to resolve them. Wouldn’t you agree?”
Emmanuel wasn’t used to interacting with someone like Felicity who refused
to be frank and kept faking cordiality.
“I understand, Mother!”
Emmanuel didn’t bother beating around the bush. “The Lenoir family blames
me for Claudette’s death and they’re using this excuse to cause trouble for
the Quillen family, so the best way to deal with this situation is to resolve the
misunderstanding.”
Felicity’s lips curled up slightly at the fact that Emmanuel had brought it up
himself.
However, she kept up the appearance of a kind mother-in-law and sighed, “I
know you can’t possibly be the one who’s mainly responsible for Claudette’s
death, but my brother Adolph can be quite unreasonable sometimes. It’s
hard for me to reason with him!”
Emmanuel kept a smile on his face. Regardless of whether Felicity meant
what she said, he was willing to communicate with her since she was
keeping a smile on her face too, instead of treating him harshly the way the
other wealthy matriarchs treated their sons-in-law.
He was not good with conflict, especially not with his mother-in-law.
“I know what I’m about to say will hurt you, Emmanuel, but as Mackenzie’s
mother, I have to say it. I hope you’ll understand!” Felicity put on a helpless
expression.
“Go ahead, Mother!”
Emmanuel shrugged. He was mentally prepared for it. He knew that Felicity
was going to say her piece no matter what, so there was no reason for him
to go against her on this.
“Alright. Since you say so, I’ll come right out and say it!”
Felicity’s expression became rather stern. “Since the relationship between
Adolph and the Quillen family only soured because of you, to the point where
the business is getting affected as well, wouldn’t everything blow over easily
you leave Mackenzie and the Quillen family?”
Although Emmanuel was mentally prepared to hear this, he couldn’t stop
himself from frowning. His heart ached.
He had finally reunited with Mackenzie and didn’t want to part with her!
Nevertheless, Felicity had a point. His presence would only cause more
trouble for Mackenzie.
“You understand what I’m saying, right, Emmanuel?”
Felicity sighed yet again. “I know I shouldn’t be saying this. I do think highly of
you, you know. Mackenzie and Mr. Grishaw have both said that you’re a true
man who gives Mackenzie a strong sense of security. That being said, please
forgive my selfishness. I only want what’s best for Mackenzie, and maybe
you’re not the best person for her!”
Emmanuel had a bitter smile on his face. Felicity was eloquent and knew
exactly what to say. He couldn’t possibly get into an argument with her!
“I understand, Mother.”
Emmanuel nodded. He was just about to agree when there was a loud
commotion behind him.
Terence kicked the door open and hollered, “Hah! I won’t allow it!”
Felicity immediately stood up nervously. She never thought Terence would
come barging in at such a pivotal moment.
“Since when did you have the authority to make the decisions for the Quillen
family’s important matters, Felicity? I’m the one who chose Emmanuel to be
my grandson-in-law and Mackenzie accepted him too. What gives you the
right to chase him off?”
Terence flew into a rage. He didn’t even try to cut Felicity some slack.
Felicity’s refined and sophisticated demeanor went out the window. She now
looked flustered and furious.
Chapter 503
At the very next moment, Mackenzie, Sarah, and Alfred walked in as well.
They were all sporting varying expressions!
Mackenzie glared at Felicity before taking Emmanuel’s arm and saying,
“Everything’s ready. A lot of the relatives are waiting outside. Let’s go. I’ll
introduce you to them.”
Felicity’s eyes were fixed on Emmanuel.
Emmanuel didn’t feel like going, so he didn’t budge when Mackenzie tried to
pull him out.
“What are you doing, Emmanuel?”
Mackenzie was getting angry.
Everyone present knew what her personality was like, especially Alfred.
He had watched her grow up and it was his first time seeing her be this
intimate with a man, and yet, Emmanuel wasn’t listening to her.
“I feel a little unwell, Mackenzie. Let’s skip this dinner. I’m sorry!” Emmanuel
apologized to Mackenzie.
He knew that it would be even harder for him to leave the Quillen family if he
went ahead with this dinner and received the approval of the other members
of the family.
The Lenoir family was bound to cooperate with the Verkade family, and the
two wouldn’t stop until they took down the Quillen family!
Although he didn’t know what things were like for the Quillen family right now,
he saw how exhausted Mackenzie had been lately. She was even willing to
have a meal with Tobias over a measly 15 million. That alone was enough for
him to hazard a guess as to how bad things were for the Quillen family right
now.
He didn’t want to be a burden to his wife. He didn’t want to be the reason for
the Quillen family’s downfall either!
Even though he could offer up the 700 million that he had and think of a way
to help the Quillen family defeat the Lenoir family, Adolph was Claudette’s
father and Claudette risked her life to save him and Mackenzie. They couldn’t
possibly repay their debt of gratitude by taking down the Lenoir family!
Therefore, the only solution was to find a way to overcome this conflict!
“Out with it. Just what do you mean by that?”
Mackenzie swung his hand off in fury and glared at him. No one had ever
seen her look this angry and aggrieved.
“Yeah, Manny! What’s on your mind right now?”
Terence was anxious as well. Mackenzie and Emmanuel had finally reunited
after everything, so why were they getting into another fight now? Can’t an
old man like me have some peace and quiet?
“Is Felicity forcing you to leave? If she is, tell me! I’ll stand up for you!” Terence
pointed at Felicity in fury.
Mackenzie was glaring at Emmanuel too. She didn’t think he would be scared
of a woman when he was unafraid of ruthless men like Samuel and Adolph.
Emmanuel glanced at Felicity, who was clenching her fists. Her body was
trembling. It looked as if she had something to say, though she was too
afraid to speak up.
At last, he sighed and said, “Grandpa, Mackenzie, now’s not the time for me to
have dinner with the family. Claudette’s situation is still weighing heavily on
- me. Why don’t I come over again once I save her and resolve the grudge that
the Lenoir family holds against me?”
“Well…” Terence couldn’t think of anything to say.
“Not happening!” Mackenzie fired back commandingly. “You’re going to have
dinner with the family today whether you like it or not!”
If Emmanuel left in this manner, everyone would get the wrong idea by
thinking that the Quillen family was afraid of the Lenoir family.
The respect that the Quillen family commanded in Yeringham’s business
world would be lost for good.
Alas, Emmanuel couldn’t act in accordance with his emotions the way
Mackenzie could. He knew that Felicity was speaking on behalf of the Lenoir
family. She had already laid the cards out on the table. If he stayed with the
Quillen family and became even closer to them now, the Lenoir family would
have the perfect excuse to team up with the Verkade family and go against
the Quillen family. He didn’t want that to happen.
In any case, he needed to leave for a while. I have to find Master and save
Claudette!
Chapter 504
“Emmanuel, you figured out what’s best for Mackenzie yourself, right?”
It was a crucial moment and Felicity couldn’t be bothered that she was going
against Terence anymore. She steeled herself and said, “Since you and
Mackenzie aren’t right for each other, the last thing you can do out of love for
—–
her is to let her go!”
“Shut up!” Terence roared. He even raised his hand to slap Felicity.
“Don’t, Grandpa!” Emmanuel stopped him.
Once Terence put his hand down and turned around, Emmanuel smiled and
said, “Mrs. Quillen’s right. I can’t help all of you if I stay with the family, so I’ve
decided to leave for now. I’ll come back once everything’s resolved!”
With that said, he walked over to Mackenzie.
Mackenzie was deeply disappointed as she glared at him with icy eyes.
This was her first relationship. Had this been anyone else, she would’ve told
them to get lost and forbid them from ever showing up in front of her again.
Alas, she was a little reluctant to do the same with the man in front of her.
Stupid feelings!
“Wait for me, Mackenzie!”
Emmanuel wasn’t going to give up on Mackenzie. He simply wanted to save
Claudette and resolve the resentment between the Lenoir family and the
Quillen family before coming back. That way, Felicity wouldn’t be able to say
anything.
However, that was not what Mackenzie thought!
If Emmanuel saved Claudette, that would make her the third party in their
relationship that could not be removed or forgotten. She didn’t know how she
would deal with the relationship between him and Claudette.
If he left now and failed to save Claudette, it meant that he would never
return to the Quillen family ever again.
Therefore, when Emmanuel turned to leave, Mackenzie growled, “Hold it!”
Emmanuel turned around and looked at his furious wife.
“If you leave tonight, don’t bother coming back anymore!”
“Mackenzie..” Emmanuel was caught between a rock and a hard place.
Nevertheless, Terence was a wise man and knew what was on both their
minds, so he quickly tried to smooth things over.
“Mackenzie, Emmanuel’s feeling unwell so let him get some rest, okay? He
can have a meal with the family anytime, right?”
Then, he turned to Emmanuel and said, “And you! We’re not afraid, so why are
you? But… since you’ve made up your mind, you should at least tell us how
long it’ll take you to resolve everything and come back, right?”
In reality, Terence was afraid. The Verkade family and the Lenoir family were
coming on strong; many other families and businesses also had the gall to
seize this chance to try and get something for themselves. Everyone in
Yeringham thought that this would be the end of the Quillen family and were
waiting to see their downfall.
Under these circumstances, while the Quillen family could still manage for
now, they would not be able to hold out for long, no matter how strong they
were.
Therefore, it was best if they could repair their relationship with the Lenoir
family, or failing that, at least get them to stop teaming up with the Verkade
family to strike against the Quillen family.
“Give me a month. I’ll definitely find a way to save Claudette!” Emmanuel
declared.
There was only a month left until the new year. If he couldn’t resolve the
situation by then, Claudette’s body wouldn’t be able to hold out any longer
either.
“Alright. We’ll give you a month!”
Terence hoped that Emmanuel could save Claudette. That way, he and
Mackenzie wouldn’t owe the Lenoir family anything and they would have no
reason to continue attacking the Quillen family.
When the time comes, if Adolph has any shred of reason or decency in him,
he won’t continue doing what he is doing now, right?
“I’m leaving, Mackenzie!”
She was the one he worried the most about. I hope she can understand me.
Mackenzie scoffed. She wanted him to understand her too!
However, knowing how silly he was, he would never be able to think of that.
Therefore, as Emmanuel sighed and turned to leave, she finally spoke albeit
icily. “Hey, you. Hold it!”
Emmanuel quickly turned around.
“You have one month. You’ve never let me down before, so you better not this
time!”
Mackenzie pretended to be all tough, but after spending over two months
with her, Emmanuel could tell it was just an act. He found it rather adorable!
Chapter 505
“I definitely won’t let you down!” Emmanuel promised before leaving the
Quillen family with a small sense of assurance.
Felicity’s expression was complicated. She had finally managed to drive this
man out of the family. All she had to do now was be patient for a month.
She didn’t believe that Emmanuel could save someone who was already
-knocking on death’s doors!
Sarah quietly watched everything unfold without saying a word.
After Emmanuel left, she walked over to Terence, linked arms with him, and
smiled. “Dinner is ready, Grandpa, and my aunts should be back by now. Shall
we go and have dinner?”
Terence glanced at her and smiled. “Sure!”
Then, he walked over to Mackenzie. “Just focus on work for now, Mackenzie,
and take good care of yourself!”
Sarah couldn’t help but pout in secret. Why is Grandpa always so biased? Is
Mackenzie the only one he cares about?
“I will, Grandpa!” Mackenzie nodded and joined Sarah in accompanying
Terence as they walked out of the room.
No one paid any attention to Felicity until Alfred came over. “Madam, please
take your seat!”
“I got it!” Felicity’s expression was rather dark. Although she had driven
Emmanuel out of the Quillen family, Terence’s attitude toward her had been
far too terrible!
In the eyes of that old man, this daughter-in-law of his is far less important to
him than his grandson-in-law! How despicable!
As long as that old man is still in the Quillen family, I will never be able to have
a good life! It’s like I’m living under someone else’s roof.
Mackenzie acted fast. When Terence walked away, she went to the living
room by herself and two women immediately approached her.
One was Beatrix, while the other one looked quite glamorous. Although her
appearance and attire made her look young, the weariness around her eyes
exposed her age.
She was Mackenzie’s third aunt, Samantha Quillen, who was 45 years old this
year.
“Mackenzie, where’s Emmanuel?” Beatrix greeted her warmly. Obviously, she
was unaware of what had just happened in Felicity’s room.
“Yeah, Mackenzie! Where’s your husband? Let me see him! I can’t wait!”
Samantha was an impatient person and was also the aunt who had the best
relationship with Mackenzie and her sister.
“He left.” Mackenzie sighed softly.
“What? Why?” Beatrix exclaimed.
“Yeah. Didn’t Dad call us over to have dinner so that your husband can be
formally introduced to the family? Why did he leave? Is he trying to act all
mysterious?”
Samantha not only looked young but also had a young and playful mindset.
She thought Mackenzie and Emmanuel were just trying to play games to
keep the mystery going.
“No. He just left!”
Mackenzie, as always, kept her words short. “It’ll only be us, the Quillen family,
at dinner tonight.”
“What… Well…”
Beatrix and Samantha looked at each other.
Nevertheless, they knew Mackenzie’s personality well. There was no point in
pressing any further if she didn’t want to divulge any more information.
Still, they couldn’t help but feel curious!
“You tell us, Sarah!”
Samantha pointed at Sarah and said, “I spoke to Alfred when I came in just
now and he said you took your brother-in-law away!”
Sarah immediately put on an innocent expression. She looked at Mackenzie,
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