Chapter 822 Longing For Warmth


    J tossed the invitation card onto the nightstand before lying down on the bed.


    She inhaled deeply and said, "Nothing."


    Evidently, she was lost in her own world of thoughts.


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    Upon seeing the invitation card on the nightstand, Brandon took it and read it.


    His recent work schedule had been fairly full. Many invitations had been sent to him and J to


    attend this charity event, but he had always declined.


    "Would you want to attend this fundraising dinner?" Brandon raised an eyebrow and looked at the


    invitation before uttering calmly, "I do have two meetings on Saturday. But if you''d like to attend this


    charity dinner, I can always postpone my meetings until next week and apany you."


    J was hesitant. "I don''t feel like it. However, when I contacted Laney just now, it looked like Mrs.


    Harding wanted her to attend the party. I''m just concerned about Laney because I sense that


    something bad might happen."


    She turned and addressed Brandon, "As you are aware, Laney has never encountered such a


    scenario before. Laney will unquestionably be in a bad position if people purposefully cause her


    trouble."


    Brandon listened to J attentively as he looked her in the eye.


    "Mrs. Harding went in Laney''s room when we were on the phone, and I overheard their


    conversation. At the uing charity event, I have a feeling Mrs. Harding would like to humiliate


    Laney. Remember, I''ve been there before."


    J clenched her teeth in contemtion. This was the type of conduct that she strongly


    disapproved of.


    Brandon held the irate J in his arms and murmured in her ear while leaning against her, "Mrs.


    Harding and I met a few times while Garrett and I were both in high school. Back then, Garrett was


    known for his disobedience in school. His teachers were continually requesting his parents''


    presence at school. Mrs. Harding always acted with grace and tenderness, like the most loving


    mother in the world, whenever she visited. It was onlyter that I learned that his mother was quite


    possessive."


    This factored into Garrett''s rebellious character. This was a major reason why Garrett resisted


    taking over the Harding Group a few years ago.


    "Garrett''s leaving makes sense. Now it is very evident that Laney is sad within the Harding


    household." J let out a sigh.


    For some reason, Brandon had never been curious about the family affairs of others. He wouldn''t


    have mentioned the Hardings at all if it weren''t for J.


    "Garrett now has taken over the Harding Group for Laney''s sake, but Mrs. Harding continues to


    wield control over them, and that will cause Garrett to leave once more." Brandon shook his head.


    Just a matter of time, he figured, and Garrett would be gone again!


    J gave Brandon a startled look. "Your familiarity with Mrs. Harding begs the question: how did


    you get to know her so well? Have you interacted with her before?"


    Brandon smiled lightly. "Garrett''s constant whining about his family issues gave it away. Actually, he


    is still kind of lucky. While Mrs. Harding''s need to be in charge might be annoying at times, at least


    she has always been there in Garrett''s life."


    When Brandon was younger, he believed it would be a good thing if his mother kept nagging him. At


    the time, he thought that Garrett was oblivious to his good luck.


    J''s heart skipped a beat, and what Brandon said made her feel sorry for him.


    J could see through Brandon. She saw the sadness under his normalposure.


    As a kid, Brandon should have yearned for the love of his family. Brandon envied the affection that


    Garrett received, despite Mrs. Harding''s strong desire for control.