Chapter 146
Chapter 146
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Laura, Doris, and even Peyton stared at Jimmy, shocked that he’d even suggest something so unreasonable.
“Dad, has Rupert really made you lose your mind? How can you say something like that?” Doris was upset. “You know how hard things are for her at the Webb family. If you go there, her life’s just going to get even worse. You don’t care about her at
all
“It’s just for a few days, what’s the big deal?” Jimmy brushed it off.
“It’s a big deal. The Webb family is a trap. You forced her to marry, and now you’re pushing her again. I won’t let you do that,” Doris said, sympathizing with Laura’s situation.
“I didn’t force her. I chose the best life for her. That Kyle guy was an outsider, from a single–parent family, just a poor student. What happiness can he give your sister?
“At least if she married Matteo, she wouldn’t have to worry about food or clothes. She wouldn’t have to do anything and could just be the lady of the house at the Webb family.
“So what if the mother–in–law talks to her a bit? It’s not like it’s going to kill her. She’s just spoiled.” Jimmy said harshly.
“Anyone who wants that life can have it.” Doris was angry at her father for pushing Laura into the Webb family trap. “If it weren’t for you, my sister’s life would be totally different. You ruined her.”
“What nonsense are you talking?” Jimmy was furious. “You don’t understand how hard parents try. Parents always do what’s best for you. Do you think we’d harm you?”
“Dad, you know the truth better than anyone.” Doris fired back.
“You–I can’t talk to you about this.” Jimmy was losing the argument, so he turned to Peyton. “Peyton, what do you think?”
Staying in a hotel was fine for a few days, but he wasn’t used to it after that. It wasn’t as big or comfortable as home, and the space was smaller.
Jimmy, we have a son. What’s the point of going to the Webb family? People are going to laugh at us. And you know Laura’s mother–in–law isn’t easy to deal with.
“We didn’t care enough for Laura before, and now we can’t help her. We can’t make her life harder.” Peyton didn’t agree with Jimmy’s plan and tried to make him understand Laura’s position.
“It’s just a few days, and we’ll leave once Rupert has the keys. What’s the big deal?” Jimmy had never stayed in a villa before and was a bit excited about the idea.
“Staying here costs money, and the place isn’t as nice as the Webb family’s house. Laura, you’re not saying no, right? You won’t just leave us to fend for ourselves?”
“Dad, I won’t leave you, but I can’t help you with this.” Laura gently turned down her father’s request.
She and Matteo were already separated, and their legal marriage was just a formality now, so they were practically strangers. She couldn’t go back to the Webb family, nor did she want to. Her father had no right to be there.
But Jimmy didn’t know that. She was afraid that if he found out, he’d yell at her or even go after Matteo, which would be a huge problem. She thought she might wait until her divorce with Matteo was finalized before telling them.
“Laura, you’re always the one who listens to me. Why won’t you now?” Jimmy shook his head. “Don’t listen to Doris. S just trying to mess with you.”
“Dad, stop blaming Doris for everything. I’m thinking clearly now,” Laura replied. “Don’t forget, when you were locked out, who was it that came to get you and brought you to the hotel? It was Doris. One call and she was here. Now you’re still
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Chapter 146
criticizing her? Where’s your conscience?”
Jimmy, you can’t talk about Doris like that.” Peyton knew Doris was the most dutiful daughter. “Without Doris, we wouldn’t even know where we’d be staying”
“She’s my daughter. She should do these things.” Jimmy thought Doris’s help was expected.
“Next time, I won’t do anything. Ask your son for help.” Doris knew she could never measure up to Rupert, and didn’t expect to, but her father’s attitude always stung.
Jimmy stared wide–eyed for a moment, then changed the subject. “Laura, listen to me.”
“Dad, just forget it,” Laura refused again.
Jimmy’s face turned pale with anger. “You two are doing this on purpose, aren’t you? You want to drive me crazy?”
“We’re not,” said Doris,
“Fine, if you won’t let me stay at the Webb family, I’ll go find Matteo. I’m his father–in–law, and if I ask to stay for a few days, he can’t say no.
“If he does, I’ll just stay outside the Webb family’s villa. I don’t believe I can’t stay there.” Jimmy was about to show his stubborn side.
“Dad, enough!” Laura clenched her fists. “Mom, Dad, there’s something I haven’t told you. I’m no longer living with the Webb family. I’ve separated from Matteo. I’m living outside with Ari now.”
“Separated? What–when did this happen? How could this be?” Jimmy’s eyes widened, and he pointed at Laura. “How could I have raised such a clueless child? You left the Webb family and separated from Matteo?
“This isn’t good for your marriage. Matteo has money and looks, just over 30, and plenty of women would love to take your place. As soon as you leave, some woman will try to replace you. And if she has a son, your position in the Webb family is
gone.
“What are you doing, running around with a kid all on your own? You’re going back to the Webb family tomorrow–no, right now. I’m telling you, no matter what, you need to keep Matteo. You can’t be like Doris, pushing Ryan out like that.”
Not being able to make Ryan his son–in–law was an eternal pain for Jimmy, something he was obsessed with.
Doris rolled her eyes mentally, feeling frustrated. “Dad, Lewis is a hundred times better than Ryan–no one compares to him. Are you still stuck on Ryan? Don’t forget that Lewis is the one who gave your son his job, not Ryan. Ryan is nothing in front of Lewis.”
Doris was upset on Lewis’s behalf, even using swear words. She’d protect her husband, no matter what. No matter what he did, her father would never acknowledge him.
Jimmy only cared about the money and power from the men, like Ryan and Matteo. Even if they were terrible, he wouldn’t blame them, and he wouldn’t stand up for his daughters. He just wanted them to endure, to keep up appearances, and satisfy his own selfishness and vanity.
“You-” Jimmy was most frustrated with Doris, so he turned to Laura, “Don’t be like your sister.”
“Dad, I’m not going back to the Webb family. Anyone who wants to take my position, let them. I don’t care at all.” That man no longer mattered to her.
“You really are useless. What good is it that I raised you?” Jimmy’s chest hurt from the anger.
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