Too Late to Hold Me Back novel Chapter 458

"What? You severed ties too? And Lucas?"

Lacey's eyes bulged in shock.

This was Ethan—her eldest son, her ultimate pride and joy.

He was the most brilliant, the most obedient, and the most sensible of all her children.

"Yes, Mom."

"Ethan, how could you?

It was one thing when the others threw their little tantrums, but how can you act this recklessly? Are you trying to give your father a heart attack?"

"A heart attack? Hardly. He's absolutely thrilled that I cut ties. It saves him the trouble of figuring out how to destroy me later.

Did you know? He personally led a mob of shareholders into my office this morning to force my resignation.

He's been working in the shadows for weeks, sabotaging the company just to manufacture an excuse to kick me off the board."

Lacey furiously shook her head. "I don't believe you. Your father would never do such a thing."

"Believe whatever you want.

We're adults now. We have our own critical thinking and our own moral compass. If you want to dismiss all of this as a childish tantrum, then fine, it's a tantrum."

"If it's not a tantrum, are you saying you're justified in rebelling against your own parents?"

Listening to Lacey's twisted logic, it was clear she still believed the children who left were entirely at fault, completely absolving herself and Adrian of any blame.

Ethan realized just how hopelessly deluded his mother truly was.

"Wow. No wonder Mira said your brain was completely rotten. Fine. If you refuse to see the truth, there's nothing I can do.

I won't waste any more breath. Mom, I'm asking you one last time: are you coming with me, or are you staying in this house?"

"Of course I'm staying! If you all abandon us, what will happen to your father? What will happen to Mara?"

Ethan couldn't hold it back any longer.

"Mom, what if Mara isn't even your biological daughter? What if she's the bastard child my father had with his mistress? What if my father is nothing but a filthy hypocrite? What would you do then?"

As they stepped out of the car, father and daughter were chatting enthusiastically about their glorious future plans.

"Make sure you stick close to Roxanne over the summer and learn everything you can from her. I need you to eventually take over the corporate reins, just like she did," Adrian said warmly.

"I know, Dad."

"Don't apply to any universities out of state. Melvion University is perfectly fine. You'll enroll in their Department of Business Management.

While you're getting your degree, you can intern at the company and learn the ropes of the executive suite."

"Adrian! Why did Ethan and Lucas sever ties too?" Lacey demanded the second she saw him walk through the door.

"Good riddance! Rebellious, ungrateful brats are nothing but a liability anyway. Having Mara is all we need," Adrian snapped, his good mood instantly ruined by his hysterical wife.

Lacey practically threw herself at Mara, pulling her into a desperate hug. "You won't leave us, will you? Promise me you'll never abandon your parents."

Mara rolled her eyes mentally. Her entire goal was to drive those idiots away so she could monopolize the inheritance. Who in their right mind would leave now?

But outwardly, she smiled sweetly. "Don't worry, Mom. I will never leave you."