Chapter 1121-1130


    “Thank you… Ang.” Ruka took her hand, feeling the warmth of being supported.


    Ang burst outughing. “Should I call you Aunt Ruka now?”


    Ruka instantly blushed with her head lowered. At any rate, these generational issues were indeed


    messy.


    “I…” She bit her red lips, so embarrassed that she didn’t know what to say.


    Ang stopped teasing Ruka and reached out to hug her. “No matter what our titles are, we’ll decide


    on that when the timees. Right now, the most important thing is that you guys are together. I


    promise that Richard and I will support you.”


    Ruka felt anxious all of a sudden. “Richard…”


    “As long as I’m on your side, he wouldn’t dare to oppose me!” Ang huffed.


    Ruka looked at her gratefully. Although Ang’s words did not represent everyone else’s opinions, her


    support was enough to warm her heart.


    “Miss Singed, Mrs. Lloyd, you’re all here! Lunch is starting soon over at the hall,” informed the maids.


    Ruka and Ang exchanged nces and walked toward the hall, arm in arm. Meanwhile, Sophie was


    already sitting at the table, and Mrs. Husson had arranged for her to sit beside Ren. Although he had


    note down yet, they were clearly seated together, so Sophie nced at Ruka intentionally.


    Ruka sat beside her parents, while Ang also sat beside Richard. He then looked at her with a


    meaningful gaze as her words today had also startled him.


    “Why hasn’t Rene down yet?” Mrs. Husson asked the maid.


    “Mr. Husson is in a call upstairs. He must be busy settling his work. He’lle down soon.”


    “This boy always has a busy schedule. It’s so difficult to even meet him,” Mrs. Hussonined to


    everyone at the table.


    While saying so, they could tell she was proud of her son.


    Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Only Scarlet could respond to her mother. She smiled and replied, “If Ren isn’t doing well, you’d be


    anxious, but now that he’s doing well, you still nag about him.”


    As soon as she said that, everyoneughed, but Mrs. Husson sighed and replied, “He’s good in


    everything besides his marriage!” After she finished speaking, she looked at Sophie again with joy in


    her eyes.


    When she felt Mrs. Husson’s gaze on her, Sophie lowered her head shyly. After that, she turned to look


    at Ruka with a triumphant smirk.


    Watching that scene, Ruka felt heartbroken.


    At this moment, Ren’s tall and handsome figure stepped into the doorway. He nced at the empty


    chair at the table, whereas Ang came up with a n. She quickly got up and said to Ren, “Uncle


    Ren, please sit here.”


    After speaking, Ang got up and sat next to Sophie. She then linked her arms with Sophie and


    uttered intimately, “Miss Liamson, I like you so much! Let’s sit together!”


    Sophie instantly stiffened. She could tell that Ang was deliberately separating her and Ren.


    Watching them, Richard was also slightly puzzled. He knew what was going on in his wife’s mind.


    Therefore, Ren sat down beside Richard. He held up the teacup and looked at Ruka from the edge of


    his cup. The girl was seated diagonally opposite him.


    Ruka raised her head and met his gaze. Then, she pursed her red lips nervously and lowered her


    head.


    After Richard was reminded by Ang, he deliberately turned his gaze to his uncle and found that


    although he was drinking tea, he was actually looking at Ruka.


    Men understood men best, so Richard instantly felt a tug at his heartstrings. Could Ang be right


    about them?


    “Come on, let’s raise a toast together for our gathering today,” said Scarlet as she stood up.


    Except for the two elders who did not stand up, everyone else got up and clinked each other’s sses.


    The atmosphere instantly became cheerful.


    After the first ss of wine, everyone started to dig in. Sophie could not help but gently asked Ren,


    “Ren, I’d like to eat some fish. Can you get some for me?”


    “You want some fish? Let me help you.” Ang was the most proactive one and quickly grabbed a


    piece for Sophie. Thetter silently cursed her for ruining her chances.


    Richard knew what his wife was getting at, and he smiled dryly.


    “Come, dig in, Ang,” Charlotte told Ang and even called out to Ruka. “And you too, Ruka. Look at


    you, all skin and bones. Eat.”


    Ruka pursed her lips with a smile. “Of course, Grandma.”


    She felt Ren shooting her a conflicted look.


    Sophie smiled. “You’re the youngest one in the family, huh, Ruka? Scarlet’s goddaughter, eh? I heard


    she likes you the most. Here, a toast for you.”


    She was reminding Ruka that she was the youngest around for a reason. Sophie wanted to push her


    down and keep her subservient.


    “Thank you, Miss Liamson.” Ruka raised her ss half-heartedly and returned the toast.


    “I envy Ruka. She has two moms and two dads. Harold, Charlotte, and uncle love her too,” Sophie


    continued.


    Ruka bit her fork. She was a little panicked. Honestly, she was so nervous, she didn’t even dare to


    meet Ren’s gaze. She was worried Sophie might tell everyone about her rtionship with him. She


    didn’t want that dream to happen in real life. What if his family yells at him? What if he hurts them


    because of me?


    “Well, I mean, everyone’s different, Miss Liamson. For example, some people aren’t loved by their


    family, unlike Ruka is. Don’t you think so?” Ang snapped.


    Sophie shut up andughed at herself. “I guess so. I’m not as lucky as she is.”


    Ruka stood up and announced, “I need to use the bathroom.”


    She left the room quickly, and Ren looked at her, worried. He held his phone up. “I’m gonna make a


    call.” And then he left as well.


    Sophie stared in the direction they left. Ang rested her chin on her hands. “Stop staring, Miss


    Liamson. Dig in.”


    She then looked at Richard and winked. It was as if she was saying, See? I hit the bullseye.


    Richard’s brows knitted together. That’s not the problem here. This is aplex case that needs to be


    dealt with.


    The bathroom was just an excuse for Ruka to get some fresh air. The tension was too much back in


    there, and her heart kept thumping furiously. It almost suffocated her.


    A gust of cold wind blew across her the moment she came to the garden, causing her hair to billow in


    the wind. She had taken her coat off, so she was wearing nothing but her white dress. The cold air was


    making her shiver. She wanted to back away.


    Then again, someone pulled her into a warm embrace. It surprised her. She looked back and saw Ren.


    He looked worried and sympathetic.


    “It’s cold out here, so why did youe out?” He led her into a greenhouse where the heater was on.


    Ruka pulled her hand back. She was worried some servant mighte out and see them. He sighed.


    “Don’t take what Sophie said to heart. She’s just an outsider.”


    She didn’t want to tell him that Sophie threatened her before. It would just give him unwanted pressure.


    She nodded. “Sure. I don’t really mind what she said.”


    Back in the dining room, ire had also excused herself to go to the restroom. She thought she would


    run into her daughter there, but she didn’t see her, even when she was done relieving herself. It


    annoyed her.


    It’s mealtime. Where is that girl? We’re guests here. She can’t run around. She’s not a kid anymore.


    ire was a strict mother. She went to look for her daughter so she could take her back to the dining


    hall. Going back alone was clearly rude.


    I wonder if she’s in the greenhouse. ire went to the greenhouse and heard sounds of conversation


    coming from one of the rooms, so she approached it.


    Ruka and Ren were inside the room. She was feeling better after that little counseling session Ren


    gave her.


    They were sitting face to face. ire looked in and heaved a sigh of relief. I finally found her. So she


    was meeting Ren.


    Just when she was about to call out to her daughter, Ruka spread her arms and hugged Ren. She even


    stood on tiptoes and kissed his cheek.


    ire’s eyes went wide with shock. What is she doing? She can’t do that to Ren!


    She couldn’t see the look on Ren’s face, since his back was turned to her. However, she did see how


    impertinent Ruka was, and then the girl actually smiled shyly.


    Ren said, “I think we should head back now.”


    “Sure.” Ruka nodded.


    ire thought her heart would burst from her chest. She quickly went to the garden in case Ruka and


    Ren found out she was eavesdropping, even though she didn’t mean to eavesdrop.


    ire was trying to cool down with the breeze, but to no avail. I can’t believe she just kissed Ren! She


    felt like she didn’t know her daughter. What Ruka did just crossed all the boundaries she set for Ruka


    ever since Ruka was a child.


    How did this happen? Where did I go wrong? She can’t kiss her own elder.


    Her chest was heaving. Ruka’s gone too far, but I guess it’s my fault.


    Every mother had great expectations for their children, including ire. She didn’t need Ruka to be


    sessful or anything, but at least she had to be an uprightdy.


    “That is not how we raised you, Ruka!” ire felt like she could cry.


    At the same time, Ruka and Ren hade back to the dining room, but she was still too nervous to go


    inside. She said, “I’ll need to use the bathroom.”


    Ren knew she was still anxious, so he went inside without her. The moment he took his seat, Sophie


    looked at him sheepishly. Ren ignored her. He had decided to make it clear that he wasn’t dating


    Sophie. He didn’t want his parents to keep misunderstanding them.


    Sophie shot Ruka a jealous look when she came back. Ruka took her seat, and to her surprise, she


    didn’t see her mother. Where did she go?


    The dinner got a little glum since everyone, apart from Walter, Robert and Harold, was weighed down


    by their own thoughts. They were having a good time drinking and didn’t get weighed down by


    anything, maybe except for the booze.


    Ruka was halfway through her meal when ire came back. She was looking happy a while ago, but


    now it was obvious she was troubled.


    Ruka noticed that, of course. She looked at her, and ire turned around to meet her gaze as well.


    She heaved a big sigh. “Finish your food. We’re going home soon.”


    Ruka was surprised. We’re going home after this?


    They were almost done with their meal after a while. Charlotte invited everyone for tea, but ire was


    already saying goodbye. Scarlet wanted them to stay, but ire insisted on leaving.


    “We really have to go, Scarlet. Thanks for inviting us.”


    She dragged her tipsy husband out. Ren knew they were leaving, so he came over and said, “Mr.


    Singed is drunk. I’ll get someone to take you home.”


    ire quickly said, “It’s alright, vice president. Ruka will drive. We’ll go slow.”


    Ruka looked at Ren. She was reluctant to leave, but her parents insisted, so she couldn’t stay.


    “I’ll be going home then.”


    “Drive safely. Text me when you get home,” he whispered.


    “Sure.” Ruka nodded.


    Sophie was standing in a corner, pretending to make a call. She was delighted to see Ruka and her


    family leave. Once she leaves, I’ll get the chance to approach Ren.


    After they got in the car, Robertined, “What’s the rush? I wanted to have a few more pints with


    Walter.”


    “Shut it. We’re going home.” ire was looking upset, and her temper was getting short.


    Ruka got into the driver’s seat. She adjusted the seat until she wasfortable in it, then she revved


    the car up. ire was in the backseat. She stared at her daughter, and she teared up angrily. Thedy


    looked outside, her chest feeling stuffy. She thought her daughter was corrupted.


    Ruka drove ahead. She was feeling a bit nervous too. Her mother would usually love to chat with her,


    but aside from her father mumbling in his drunken stupor, nobody said anything. Even if her mother did


    speak up, it was to chide Robert.


    Well, this is depressing. Finally, she asked, “Are you alright, Mom?”


    “Just drive. We’ll talk when we get home.” ire held her emotions back. She didn’t want to start


    anything when her daughter was driving.


    Ruka looked in the rear-view mirror. ire was looking solemn and serious.


    Back at the Husson Residence, Ang was feeling bored because Ruka was gone and she had no


    one to talk to. She just came back to the living room after making a call, but Richard wasn’t there. She


    asked the servant where he was.


    “Master Richard and the young master are in the study,” she answered.


    Ang headed to the study, but she didn’t go inside right away. Instead, she leaned her ear against the


    door to listen. Someone was talking inside, and it was Richard. He sounded surprised.


    “You’re giving up the election?”


    That shocked Ang. She was holding the doorknob, and now she had opened the door slightly.


    Ren answered calmly, “Yes, I am.”


    Richard gasped and asked, “Why? Why are you giving it up? Because of Ruka?”


    Ang almost leaped in shock. God. Show more tact, Richard!


    Ren narrowed his eyes in surprise. “And how did you know about that?”


    “Do you really like her?” he asked. Men were used to being straightforward.


    Ren headed to the french window. “Yes, I do,” he answered, still as calm as ever.


    “That’s why you’re giving up? Because of her? Grandpa won’t ept this, uncle. And neither will my


    mother. And everyone who supports you. They’re supporting you because they trust you. You’re gonna


    let them down,” Richard argued. He was quickly moving toward Ren.


    Ang was so engrossed by the conversation, she turned the doorknob without noticing, and the door


    opened. She let out a gasp and fell to the ground. “Ow!” Her knees hurt from the impact.


    Richard looked at her, and his heart skipped a beat. He quickly held her up. Angie blushed. “Sorry. I


    didn’t mean to listen in.”


    Ren turned around. She was a likable woman, and he thought well of her because of what she did for


    Ruka back at dinner.


    “Are you hurt?” Richard took her to the couch and crouched down to check on her.


    “No. I’m fine.” I don’t think I should be here. She stood up and limped toward the door. “You gentlemen


    go ahead. I’ll go now.”


    Richard said, “I’ll take her to her room, Uncle.”


    “Sure.” Ren nodded.


    She must have hurt her knees. Richard carried her in his arms and left.


    Ang med herself for interrupting their conversation. She was worried Richard might scold her.


    “I’m sorry. Richard. I—”


    “It’s not your fault,” he said gently.


    He took her to amon room. Ang realized he was looking tense. Based on their conversation,


    she knew Ren’s rtionship with Ruka was a big deal.


    He’s giving the election up for Ruka. It’s unbelievable. However, Ang thought Ruka was lucky she


    had a man who loved her so much, he would make such a big sacrifice.


    “Are you worried about Ren?” Ang cupped his face. She was worried about Richard.


    Richard sighed. “I’m worried about Grandpa and Grandma. They expect big things from Uncle Ren.


    This might crush them.”


    “Richard, do you love me? Would you give up your career for me?” she asked seriously, still holding his


    face.


    He answered without any hesitation, “Of course.”


    “What would you do if I were to be kidnapped, and they want you in exchange for me?”


    Richard hugged her. For some reason, he was getting nervous. “I’ll kill them if they try to do anything to


    you.”


    Oh, wow. Ang realized that she was as lucky as Ruka was. Both of them met gentlemen who would


    give up everything for them. She smiled. “Now can you see why Uncle Ren is giving the election up for


    her? Because he loves her, just like you love me.”


    Richard was just too surprised by Ren’s decision, but now Ang made things clear for him. He


    sighed. “You’re right.”


    Ang looked at him. Richard was still frowning, and she pinched his brows. “Don’t fret over it. We’ll


    help them if they need us.”


    In the greenhouse, Charlotte wasughing at something Sophie said. Just then, a servant came in.


    “Miss Liamson? Miss Scarlet would like to talk to you.”


    “Oh, sure.” Sophie got up and said goodbye to Charlotte, then she went with the servant. Right after


    she was gone, Ren came in and took the seat beside his mother.


    “There’s something I want to tell you, Mom.”


    Charlotte took a sip of her tea. “Really? Why did you have to wait until she’s gone to bring that up?” Oh,


    finally. He’s bringing this up.


    “Please stop inviting Miss Liamson over, Mom. I have someone I like,” he said.


    Charlotte looked at him in surprise. “Really? Who’s thedy who caught your eye?”


    “I’ll introduce her to you guys in time.”


    Oh, he’s finally bringing a girl home for dinner. Looks like the wedding’sing soon. She nodded. “I’ll


    be waiting then. I’ll see to Miss Liamson in time.”


    Ren nodded. “Sure. I’ll be going back then.”


    “I wanna see her as soon as possible. It’d be best if you can have your own kid next year,” Charlotte


    told Ren as he left the room.


    Sophie was going to see Scarlet, but she ran into Ang, who was also making her way to where


    Scarlet was to spend some time with her, in the corridor. Even before they talked, tension was already


    rising in the air.


    “Stop wasting your time on Ren, Miss Liamson. I heard what you told Ruka today. Back off if you know


    what’s good for you,” Ang warned.


    Sophie held her anger back. She tried to be as nice as she could, and she said, “You took it the wrong


    way, Ang. It was for their own good. Yeah, they’re not rted by blood, but Ren’s in a sensitive


    position. He can’t afford to get hit by any scandals. The election is just around the corner. If someone


    finds out he’s in love with his sister’s goddaughter, it’d cause a whole slew of problems.”


    “We don’t need any outsiders to tell us what to do. Mind your own business, Miss Liamson,” Ang


    retorted. She knew Sophie’s true colors, and it disgusted her.


    “Oh, don’t call me an outsider just yet. Someday, I might be your aunt,” Sophie said confidently.


    “The chances of that are slim.” Ang left.


    Sophie’s chest was heaving in anger. Another servant then came for her. “Miss Liamson, Madam


    Charlotte is in the tea room. She wants to see you.”


    Sophie quickly turned around. Trying to befriend anyone in this household was a waste of time. She


    would rather make Charlotte happy, since she was the one calling all the shots here.


    Charlotte was having tea in the tea room. She was looking really delighted. What Ren told her made


    her feel great relief, though she was a little unhappy that Ren didn’t tell her soon. I wouldn’t have asked


    Sophie over otherwise.


    Sophie came into the room and happily took the seat beside Charlotte. “Hi, Charlotte. The servant said


    you wanted to see me.”


    “Ah, Sophie. There you are. Here’s a gift for you. It’s been great talking to you. Do visit me often,


    alright?” Charlotte gave her a gift while looking at Sophie affectionately.


    Sophie was a smart woman. The gift and what Charlotte said were bad signs. Her heart sank. So the


    blind date’s over?


    She’s giving me up? Why? Did Ang do something again?


    “I can’t take this, Charlotte. It’s great enough that I get to talk to you.” She pushed the gift back into


    Charlotte’s hand while smiling.


    “You’re a nice girl, Sophie. I like you very much, but Ren told me that he has someone he likes now. I


    don’t want you to waste your time on him anymore. You’re a brilliant girl. You’ll find a nice guy to marry.


    Sorry for taking up your time.” Charlotte sounded apologetic.


    Sophie looked down. She was smiling, but her eyes were filled with disappointment. I see. So I didn’t


    make the cut. Is this the end?


    All of a sudden, she realized something. She sneered quietly, He has someone he likes?


    She looked at Charlotte. “Charlotte, may I know who’s thedy he likes? Maybe I know her.”


    Charlotte smiled at her, and she sighed. “He’s keeping her under wraps. Wonder what’s the mystery.”


    A hint of evil glinted in Sophie’s eyes. He’s not being mysterious. He’s just too scared to tell you guys


    who he likes. Oh, so he’s going to toss his future away and reveal his sordid rtionship with Ruka,


    huh?


    He’d probably reveal it if he wasn’t the vice president, but since he’s still the VP, he needs to keep his


    image intact.


    “There’s something I really want to tell you, but it might upset you, Charlotte.” Sophie bit her lip and


    acted like she was in a dilemma.


    “What is it? Tell me,” Charlotte asked curiously. She was in a good mood today.


    “So I was looking for Ren before lunch.” She blinked innocently. Thedy was still keeping up the act. “I


    did find him, but… but I saw…”


    “What did you see?” Charlotte’s interest was piqued.


    “I saw Ruka and Ren together in the study. I didn’t see what they were doing inside, but they came out


    holding hands. Ruka was the one who held Ren’s hand first, but that can’t be real. I must have been


    seeing things. She can’t be dating Ren. Scarlet’s her godmother.”


    Charlotte’s cup fell and shattered into pieces. The olddy looked furious. She asked with a trembling


    voice, “What did you say? Are they dating?”


    Sophie looked horrified. She quickly shook her head. “No, that’s not what I said. I said I saw her holding


    Ren’s hand, but I don’t know if she’s doing anything else.”


    “Unbelievable!” Charlotte mmed the table. She was just going to get up, but then dizziness washed


    over her, and she slumped down onto the couch.


    Shocked, Sophie stood up. She shouted, “Charlotte fainted! Somebody,e!”


    Two servants made a quick dash into the room. One of them called the hospital, while the other


    summoned the family physician.


    Charlotte was deathly pale. The sight of it made Sophie gulp. Fear was finally kicking in. She had no


    idea what she said would make Charlotte faint, but then she realized that thedy was almost eighty.


    Of course telling her anything shocking would do a number on her.


    Scarlet came right away. Sophie quickly picked up her bag and tried to leave. Ang was hurrying


    over, so she bumped into her.


    She noticed the nervous look Sophie was giving her. Wait. She might have something to do with this.


    Ang grabbed her by the cor. “What did you tell her?”


    “N-Nothing. Let me go. I have to go.” She escaped Ang’s grasp and left in a hurry.


    Ang heaved a sigh. Great. She must have told her about that. I can’t believe an outsider broke the


    news to Charlotte first.


    Scarlet and Richard were right beside Charlotte. They massaged her temples and wrists, but she still


    didn’t regain consciousness. Harold was asleep from drinking too much, so Scarlet told everyone not to


    wake him.


    The ambnce had arrived. Richard picked Charlotte up and quickly went into it. The ambnce


    quickly made for the hospital, while Richard and Ang were following it in a car.


    Scarlet picked her phone up and called Ren.


    “What is it, Scarlet?”


    “Mom fainted. We’re on our way to the hospital.”


    “What happened to her?”


    “I don’t know. She just fainted. Probably got some shock. We’re on our way to the hospital now. Don’t


    worry. I’m just informing you about this.”


    “I’ll be right there.”


    “Sure. Youe too.” Mom’s not exactly young anymore. We need to be prepared for anything.


    Ang hesitated for a while, then she told Richard about how Sophie looked all nervous and left in a


    hurry.


    “So you’re saying Grandma fainted because she told her about that on purpose?” He frowned. Anger


    was welling up in Richard.


    “Probably. She hates it that Ren likes Ruka, and she just threatened Ruka in the afternoon. Not to


    mention she left in a real hurry. She must have something to do with this,” she guessed.


    “This is why Uncle Ren didn’t tell them about this. They’re too old to get another shock of their lives.


    That’s also why he didn’t tell anyone he’s given up the election, because this might happen.”


    “But Ren loves his parents. What should they do now? He and Ruka are in for a rough ride.” Ang


    sighed. She was worried for them as well.


    At the same time, Ruka and her parents had arrived home. Right after they went inside, ire looked


    at Ruka solemnly. “Ruka,e with me.”


    Robert was a little tipsy. Hey down on the couch, still oblivious to the fact that his wife was looking a


    bit too solemn.


    Ruka went with her mother, and ire closed the door. Ruka’s heart skipped a beat. She looked at her


    mother nervously. The tension in the air was almost suffocating her. She was not used to seeing her


    gentle mother being this solemn.


    “Are you trying to say something, Mom?” Ruka asked.


    ire wanted to say something, but she started crying angrily before she could. The emotions she held


    back finally broke out and her chest heaved.


    She pointed at Ruka. “I-I can’t believe you did something so foul. You disappoint me. You’re supposed


    to be my daughter. Scarlet’s your godmother. How could you even do this?”


    Ruka was shocked. She had no idea what her mother was talking about, but seeing her so sad made


    Ruka sad too. “C-Calm down, Mom. We can talk this through.” She tried to hug ire.


    ire shoved her away. “Tell me, why are you dating Ren? What were you thinking? You’re not


    supposed to be a gold digger. You’re not supposed to date someone just because they’re rich, so why


    did you?”


    Ruka blushed even harder, but then she nched. How did Mom find out about that?


    “I saw everything. You hugged and kissed him. How could you do that? Have you no shame? He’s your


    uncle! You’re tarnishing our name!” ire was still crying from anger. She was furious and


    disappointed.


    Ruka was panicking. She was too ashamed to face her mother. The girl pursed her lips, and tears


    welled up in her eyes. Her mother’s disappointment was too heavy for her to bear. She had no idea


    how to console ire either.


    She didn’t even have the courage to tell her the truth. There was no way she could tell her that they


    were in love with each other, and not because she was seducing him. That would just make things


    worse for Mom.


    “I’m sorry, Mom. I’m sorry I disappointed you,” she apologized. Ruka was on the verge of tears as well.


    “How far have you two gone? Did you…”


    “No! No, of course not. It’s still tonic. Nothing sexual.” She was embarrassed and nervous, but she


    had to make that clear.


    “Did you fall for him after you stayed with him thest time?” she asked. ire thought this started


    because her daughter wanted to marry a rich and powerful man.


    Ruka shook her head. “Mom, it’s not—”


    “Swear… Swear you won’t ever get near him. Swear you won’t even get any ideas about him, or I’ll


    disown you and kick you out of the house.” ire was starting to threaten Ruka.


    Ruka closed her eyes and held her tears in. She could feel her heart getting torn into a million pieces,


    but she didn’t show it, or her mother might go deeper into her rage.


    Ruka nodded. “Don’t worry, Mom. I won’t go near him anymore.”


    ire felt a stab of pain in her chest. She sat down on the bed while clutching her chest. Ruka quickly


    came forward to check on her. “Don’t hurt yourself because of this, Mom. It’s not as serious as you


    think. I’ll just stay away from him. I’ll do as you say, alright?”


    “I owe you a lot, but I also owe Scarlet and her family a mountain of gratitude. I can’t believe you’re


    doing something like this. How do you expect me to feel?” ire was angry at her daughter for doing


    something so preposterous.


    Ruka realized things were not as simple as she thought. There were too many things to take into


    ount, for example, her parents being indebted to the Hussons because they raised her.


    “Do you have any idea who Ren is? He’s the VP, and what you’re doing is going to ruin his future in the


    political scene!” ire felt her heart getting crushed by anger again.


    Ruka nched. She was shivering in fear, and she held ire. “I’m sorry, Mom. I won’t ever see him


    again, I promise.”


    ire angrily pped Ruka’s back. “How could you do this, Ruka? What did I tell you? We owe the


    Hussons a mountain of gratitude, and you repay them with… this?”


    Ruka’s eyes reddened. She stared at the ground and let her mother hit her. The pain wasn’t physical as


    much as it was emotional. Tears slid down her cheeks silently as her dreams went up in smoke.


    Ruka med herself for angering her mother so much.


    ire held her in her embrace. Her heart ached for Ruka, and she heaved a sigh. “I don’t want you


    ruining your life either.”


    Charlotte had been taken into the emergency room when Ren came. Scarlet, her husband, Richard,


    and Ang were waiting outside in the corridor. They looked worried as well.


    “Why did she faint all of a sudden?” Ren asked Scarlet.


    “I don’t know. The servant called for me all of sudden. She already fainted when I got to the tea room.”


    Ang wanted to tell him what happened, but Richard held her back. The announcement of Ren’s


    rtionship with Ruka now would hit Scarlet like a bullet train.


    The doctor finally came out of the emergency room. Charlotte had awakened, and she was lying on the


    bed that was being wheeled out of the room. When she saw Ren, thedy closed her eyes and sighed.


    She was taken to a ward, and Scarlet went inside alone. She was worried a crowd might affect her


    mother’s rest. Not long after she went inside, she came back out. “Mom wants you inside,” she told


    Ren.


    He nodded. The moment his mother looked at him, he knew he must be the reason why she fainted.


    Ren went into the ward. Charlotte had sat up, and she was giving her son a look ofint. He took


    a seat. “How are you doing, Mom?”


    “Fine, no thanks to you.” She turned her head away angrily.


    Ren moved closer to the bed and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. He pressed his cheek against


    his mother’s hair, and he cooed, “I’m sorry, Mom. Please don’t stay mad at me. Tell me what


    happened.”


    Charlotte loved him the most ever since he was a kid. He could easily calm her when nobody else


    could. His apology wiped out most of her anger, but still she shot him a re. “You told me you have a


    lady you like. It’s Ruka, isn’t it?”


    Ren was surprised, but only for a moment. He nodded. “Yes, it is.”


    “Why…” Charlotte felt her chest tightening up. “Are you trying to make everyone mad? Out of all the


    women in this world, and you pick Ruka?”


    Just like Ruka’s parents thought the faulty with their daughter, Charlotte thought the faulty with


    Ren. She didn’t me Ruka for this; she thought her son must have done something to make this


    happen.


    Ren caressed his mother’s back while calming her down. “It’s not what you think, Mom. We love each


    other, Ruka and I.”


    Charlotte let out another big sigh. “She’s your sister’s goddaughter. Can’t you at least stay away from


    her?”


    “But I thought you wanted me to marry someone.” Ren picked the exact conversation she would love to


    have.


    “Yeah, but you can’t just…” No matter how she looked at it, Charlotte was still miffed. She had watched


    over Ruka ever since she was a child, and she used toe over to y really often. Charlotte


    thought of her as a granddaughter, so this came as a shock for her.


    Not to mention she was very conservative and traditional. Of course it was hard to ept a girl whom


    she thought of as a granddaughter marrying her son. She shook her head and looked away. It was a


    silent protest.


    Her son held her in his embrace and rested his chin on her shoulders. He went with the ‘act like a child’


    tactic. “I’m not gonna marry anyone but her. You refuse, and no grandkids for you.”


    Thest time he acted like a child was, well, back when he was a literal child asking for a candy. She


    couldn’t believe her thirty-three year-old son would do the same thing again, but this time, he was


    asking for a wife instead of a candy.


    Charlotte couldn’t hold back anymore. She chuckled and turned back to thump her son. “You shouldn’t


    threaten me, you know.”


    Alright, she’s feeling a lot happier now. He sat up straighter and looked at Charlotte seriously. “Mom, I


    really like her, and she likes me as well. Yes, it’s gonna be controversial, but we’ll face it together.”


    Charlotte was surprised for a few moments. Oh yeah. He’s in a precarious position. One scandal is all it


    needs to destroy his political career.


    “You have to think this through, son. The court of public opinion isn’t the only thing you have to face if


    you date Ruka; your political career’s destruction is too,” she advised him while holding his hand tightly.


    Ren had always been brilliant. They were never worried about him.


    “I’ve thought this through. Now I need your support. Everyone’s support.” He looked at her with an


    unspoken plea. His parents’ support was what he needed most. He didn’t care about the public’s


    opinion. He only cared about his family’s.


    “You should call Scarlet and the others inside now.” Charlotte thought they had to discuss this together.


    Ren opened the door. Everyone was looking worried. He said, “Come in, you guys.”


    Scarlet came in first. She sat down beside Charlotte. “How do you feel, Mom? Are you hurt or unwell


    anywhere?”


    “I’m fine. The problem now is your brother.” She sighed.


    “What? What’s wrong with him?” Scarlet quickly looked at him.


    Ren was silent for a few moments, and then he looked at Scarlet. “I need to tell you something, but


    promise me you’ll stay calm.”


    “Go ahead.” Scarlet was surprised, but also curious. Ren was looking serious for once.


    “I… like Ruka, and I want to date her,” he said honestly.


    Scarlet’s jaw dropped. She looked at him in disbelief. Walter was equally shocked. Only Richard and


    Ang were calm, and they exchanged a look. Okay, so the whole family’s gonna know soon.


    “Sorry? You like Ruka?” Scarlet shot up and approached her brother. “When? Why do you like her?”


    He looked at Scarlet with resolve in his eyes. Now, he decided to profess his love for Ruka. “I’ve always


    liked her.”


    Scarlet was astounded. He has liked her ever since they were kids? Wait. I never noticed that.


    “Does she know you like her, Ren?” Walter asked softly.


    “They love each other. It’s a mutual rtionship,” Ang said.


    Scarlet looked at them in surprise. “You guys knew?”


    Richard pulled Ang into his embrace and cut in, “Yes. I talked to Uncle Ren before. Ang only


    found out today.”


    Ang pursed her lips. She knew Scarlet wouldn’t scold her, but the fact her husband protected her


    made her happy.


    Scarlet and Walter exchanged looks, then Charlotte sighed. “Don’t tell Harold about this, or that fossil’s


    gonna step in and object to this.”


    Ren looked at her and smiled. So that’s a yes from Mom.


    “Ruka’s a good girl. Sometimes I’d feel sad just thinking about how she’d get married eventually. I


    never thought someone in the family would actually like her,” she poked fun at Ren.


    “Alright, don’t tease him. He’s single, she’s single, and age isn’t a problem either. Now Ruka can stay


    with us all the time, until we’re old and decrepit. That’s a good thing,” Walter argued.


    Ren looked at Walter gratefully. Richard and Ang exchanged a smile. So the family epts this.


    “Oh, right. How the heck am I supposed to tell ire and her husband about this? They might think


    Ren is too old for Ruka.” Scarlet was in a dilemma.