Chapter 78 Are You Stupid?
They raised her for more than twenty years, but now, they’re chasing her out just because she isn’t their real kid? If this gets out, everyone’s going to call us heartless. You’d cherish a pet after you had it for a long time, let alone a living, breathing human. This is insane. Robert took Harriet and Angie and rushed to Michael’s house. He lived close to his sons, and it didn’t take long for him to arrive.
Michael and his family had just come back, and they hadn’t slept yet. Things were too chaotic for them to get some sleep. Then the butler led Robert, Harriet, and Angie in. Michael went to welcome them, though he looked harried. “What brings you here, Dad, Auntie?”
“Because of this ridiculous thing you did,” Robert said sternly. “I’ve heard about it from Angie. You found your real daughter, didn’t you? You can keep her if you want, but Angie is my granddaughter too. I’ve watched over her since she was a baby, and I won’t let you chase her away.”
“Dad, please, just let me rest, can you? Please don’t make me do this.” Michael wiped his face. “Crystal just got out of the woods, and everything’s a mess. Can you just let me catch a break?”
Robert paused for a moment. “What happened to Crystal?”
Nigel came over. “My sister wanted to cut all ties with Angie, but Cedric argued with her. Her condition acted up, and she was sent to the hospital. She just got out of the woods.”
Cedric hung his head low, his face pale, and he was tense. Connor looked at him. He knew Cedric wasn’t feeling great either. Anyone would feel horrified if their mother was sent to the hospital and had a brush with death because of them. He wouldn’t chastise him, but not because he couldn’t.
Cedric was already blaming himself for this. He had a feeling that Cedric might harm himself if he chided him. Crystal had already fallen, and he would not let anything happen to Cedric. He patted his twin’s shoulder consolingly. However, he could only do that because their mother was fine. Otherwise, he might never forgive Cedric.
Robert shut up. The Wendels and the Taylors were great friends. He was good friends with Crystal’s father. Now that she was hospitalized because of this whole thing with Angie, he couldn’t do anything about it. Forcing Crystal to keep Angie would just be killing her.
Angie was leaning against Harriet, crying in silence. Harriet patted her and said softly, “Michael, I raised Angie because Crystal wasn’t in the best condition to do so after giving birth to her. If you want to cut ties with her, shouldn’t I get a say in this?”
Michael frowned at her. “Auntie…”
“Michael, I don’t agree with this. Angie is innocent.” Harriet held the girl in her embrace, patting her back. “Michael, I’m stopping you for you and Crystal’s own good. You’re acting on impulse, and most decisions done in that state are wrong. You’ll regret this once you calm down.”
She kept herself well, and since she had no kids, she was still slim. Even though she was already in her forties, she was still beautiful. Harriet looked at Michael and persuaded, “Michael, believe me. I’m doing this so you and Crystal won’t regret this. You’ve raised her for more than twenty years. There’s no way you don’t love her. If you expose the truth about her impulsively, it’ll be too late for regrets later.” She then looked at Madeline. “You must be Madeline, correct?”
Madeline went up and nodded at Harrier. “Hello, Grandma.”
“Hello.” Harriet looked at her and said softly, “Maddie, your parents want to cut ties with Angie because of you. Please, will you speak up for Angie and ask them to keep the truth a secret so she can stay? They feel guilty for not seeing the truth sooner, so they’ll do what you say. As long as you help Angie, it’ll be great for the whole family. Everyone can be happy.”
Madeline frowned at Harriet. She had a feeling Harriet wasn’t as nice as she looked. She might sound gentle and look like she adored Madeline, but what she said was a trap. To put it blatantly, she was saying that Madeline was the reason for the Wendels’ chaos, and if she didn’t speak up for Angie, that would mean she was a petty woman.
God, this is so annoying. I’m just here to get reunited. Why do I have to go through all this? To the Wendels, Angie was innocent since Cameron was the one who did the switcheroo. But to Madeline, Angie was not innocent.
Previously, no matter if she was at the Colts or the Taylors, Angie would always mock or abuse her every time they met. She was already kind enough not to make her pay for what she did, but she never thought the Wendels would keep asking her to speak up for Angie. Are they stupid?
She laughed mirthlessly and ignored Harriet, then she looked at Michael. “Mr. Wendel, the boys are getting sleepy. Where is the guest room? It’s time for them to sleep.”
Harriet frowned and looked at Robert. “Rob…”
She was more than ten years younger than Robert. Even though she was past her prime, she still looked gorgeous. Moreover, she never got pregnant because she took care of Robert’s sons. Robert had always respected her, so seeing her getting ignored angered Robert.
“Madeline!” he scolded. “Your elder is talking to you! Mind your attitude!”
Madeline looked at him calmly. “I haven’t gotten back into the fold. Strictly speaking, none of you are my elders yet.”
“Why you…” Furious, Robert looked at Michael. “This is the daughter you want? This is why you’re dumping Angie away? She has no manners at all! Why did you let her back? To make a mockery out of the family?”
Nigel looked at Sebastian, who was standing beside Madeline. “Mr. Robert, do please mind what you’re saying.”
“I’m telling the truth! Why? Can’t bear that?” Robert growled. “Angie is our real daughter. She represents our family’s best values. That little b*stard isn’t! She’s mannerless and disrespectful to her elders. Do you really want everyone to laugh at us for having a descendant like her?”
