Chapter 21


    “Son,” Julianna said to Adrien in a hushed whisper. “I think… we should maintain a distance from


    Emmeline Louise.”


    “She’s the mother of my children,” Adrien shrugged himself free of his mother’s grip. “How could I stand


    by and do nothing when she’s in trouble?”


    “She’s too feral, son. She’ll never listen to you if you marry her,” Julianna exined to Adrien, who just


    stared dumbly at his mother.


    Emmeline was still taking in the fact that Abel had offered to pay the Lanes for all the damage she had


    caused. “Mr. Ryker, I…” she began.


    “Don’t worry about it,” Abel said without a hint of emotion in his voice. “Treat it as a personal loan. You


    can pay me back slowly.”


    Before Emmeline could continue speaking, Ethan had already rushed to grab Abel’s hands, shaking


    them vigorously. “Mr. Ryker, thank you so much! I will work hard to help my sister pay off the loan, don’t


    you worry!” Ethan said gratefully.


    “Mm,” Abel nodded expressionless as he retracted his hand back from Ethan’s warm grip.


    “Mr. Ryker! How could you…” na whined petntly, but Abel had already turned around to leave.


    She turned to Rosaline for support instead. “Auntie Rosaline, how could Abel side with an outsider like


    Emmeline! I’m the one who gave you a grandchild!”


    “I know, child,” Rosaline had a tight expression. “You went overboard tonight, na. I’m only letting you


    off this time because of Timothy.”


    “Rosaline,” Alondra wormed her way over. “My niece is a woman of good character and upbringing.


    She will surely bear you more grandchildren in the future!”


    “That would be best,” Rosaline nodded. “I’m not losing to that old hag!”


    “Mr. Ryker,” Alondra said as she approached Adrien next. “I’m Emmeline’s stepmother, Alondra. I know


    the girl inside out. She probably can’t give birth to another child after having triplets. You should really


    think this through!” Alondra urged.


    “Is that the case?” Rosaline’s eyes widened. “That will not do. I would still like to have two


    granddaughters. If Emmeline cannot bear any more children, what do we need her for?”


    “You can’t take in her three children either!” Rosaline continued. “They’re rude and ill-mannered and


    would only bring shame to the Ryker family.”


    “That won’t do,” Adrien insisted. “They are my children no matter what. I can’t just abandon them.”


    “That’s right,” Rosaline agreed with her son. “They’re young, it’s not toote to teach them manners.”


    “Well, don’t say I didn’t warn you!” Alondra turned around and left. Emmeline, it’s about time you felt the


    pain of having your children taken away from you!


    ~


    Emmeline gave Benjamin a call once she left the Lane family vi. “Benjamin, organize aworking


    session hosted by Adelmar Group. I need to find a way to help my brother and Grace out,” she


    instructed.


    Benjamin got to work as soon as he received Emmeline’s call, doing the necessary preparation in the


    next two days. Three dayster, various businessmen showed up at theworking session organized


    at one of Adelmar Group’s hotels, including representatives from the Rykers, the Lanes and the


    Louises.


    Ethan had also received an invitation, but he did not have the courage to turn up. He knew that


    Adelmar Group had invited him assuming he was still the deputy CEO of Louise Corporation, but he


    had since been dismissed by his own father, no thanks to his stepmother, Alondra.


    “You should still go anyway!” Emmeline persuaded her brother as she poured him a cup of coffee.


    “Perhaps an opportunity wille up!”


    “Who would give me an opportunity knowing that I’m no longer affiliated with Louise Corporation?”


    Ethan muttered bitterly. “No matter how many smart ideas I have, there’s nowhere for me to go.”


    “Didn’t apany approach you thest time?” Emmeline recalled. “It could happen again, but you


    need to buck up!”


    “Yeah, they thought I was still in Louise Corporation, and I couldn’t lie to them,” Ethan sighed.


    “You’re overthinking it, Ethan! Why don’t I go with you?” Emmeline offered.


    “Hmm, alright then! I’ll feel a lot better with you around!” Ethan finally relented.


    “Alright then, let me go upstairs and get ready,” Emmeline stood up to head upstairs, reminding the


    nanny on the way to prepare food for the children.


    Things were already in full swing when Ethan and Emmeline arrived at the Adelmar Hotel. Abel Ryker


    had already arrived, looking sharp and intimidatingly handsome in a cool gray suit, together with na


    Lane who stood beside him. na had tagged along with her father, who was the CEO of Lane


    Corporation.


    Alondra was also present, together with her husband, Maxwell Louise. Maxwell wanted to greet his


    daughter as soon as he spotted her walking in, but Alondra stopped him. C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.