Chapter 13: He Is Wyatt Cooper +8 Pearls
Inside the car, Margaret twisted open a bottle of water and handed it to Yunice. “Be good, drink some water. You’ll feel better…”
“Thank you, Madam Margaret.”
Seeing Yunice looking so weak, Margaret’s eyes welled up with tears. She dabbed her eyes with a tissue before starting the car and heading to a pharmacy to buy some stomach medicine for Yunice. Yunice remained silent and distant from Margaret. Her gaze was fixed on the scenery outside the car window, like a caged bird longing for something beyond its reach.
Margaret sniffled and spoke while driving. “Yunny, do you blame me for not visiting you?”
Yunice’s eyelashes trembled slightly at these words. She lowered her eyes and replied, “No.”
Margaret was Paul’s mother, not mine. I had no right to expect kindness from her. Besides, the Powell family was about to annul the engagement. Soon, Margaret would become Elsie’s husband’s mother. If I didn’t know my place, things would only become more awkward. I had no desire to maintain these superficial relationships anymore. All I wanted now was a secure identity I could rely on.
Margaret wiped her tears and sighed. “Yunny, I won’t lie to you. I made a poor choice in marriage and have only been living a facade of happiness. I’ve spent most of the past few years abroad and rarely returned… I have little say in major family…”
Yunice understood the implication behind Margaret’s words. The “major matter” she referred to was undoubtedly the annulment of my engagement to Paul.
After a moment of thought, Yunice turned to Margaret. “Did Paul not tell you that I already agreed to break off the engagement?”
The car suddenly sped up before Margaret steadied herself and raised her voice. “You agreed?”
Yunice hummed in response and said seriously, “Paul and Elsie love each other. I’m willing to step aside for them.”
Why hold on to a man who had already strayed?
Margaret still found it hard to believe. “But you love Paul so much. Are you really willing to let go?”
She just hoped Yunice wasn’t suppressing her emotions and planning something drastic. It wasn’t that Margaret was wary of Yunice, but the events from three years ago had been too extreme. She didn’t want history to repeat itself. Loving someone deeply for so long and then suddenly claiming to have no feelings – it was hard to believe.
Yunice responded, “I was only with Paul to give my father peace of mind. In truth, I’ve always seen him as an older brother. I never intended to marry him.”
Margaret was momentarily stunned and glanced at Yunice with uncertainty. Her gaze was clear, carrying a soft indifference, with no trace of heartbreak. Seeing this, Margaret asked no further questions. No matter what, Yunice agreeing to the annulment was beneficial to everyone.
10:46 AM
Chapter 13: He Is Wyatt Cooper +8 Pearls
Margaret stepped forward and yanked the tag off, making it impossible to return. “That brat wronged you so badly. What’s wrong with his mother spending a little money on his behalf?”
Yunice exhaled slowly. After enduring for so long, even the smallest kindness made me uneasy.
Margaret then personally did Yunice’s makeup before taking her to the private dining room. As the elevator doors opened and Yunice was about to step in, she felt Margaret suddenly freeze beside her. Then, Margaret spoke in an uneasy tone, “Wyatt?”
Yunice lifted her head and first saw a black cane and polished leather shoes. Her heart skipped a beat. When she looked up at his face, she immediately averted her gaze, avoiding eye contact. It was the man from the alley that night. I hadn’t seen his face clearly back then, but I recognized that cane.
Wyatt swept his amused gaze over Yunice before speaking to Margaret. “What a coincidence. You’re here too, Margaret?”
Margaret felt apprehensive around Wyatt. She knew his words weren’t directed at her, so she simply replied in a low voice, “Your brother is having dinner with the Saunders family.”
Wyatt let out an “Oh” and made a thoughtful gesture. “The Saunders family… It must be about the annulment, right? I heard the Saunders girl has a mental illness. My brother is such a proud man – how could he ever accept someone like that into our family!”
Talking about someone like this to her face – how shameless.
Margaret glanced awkwardly at Yunice before saying, “That’s just a rumor. Ms. Saunders is perfectly fine. Your brother is very happy with this marriage.”
Wyatt smirked. “So tonight’s dinner is for discussing the wedding? Congratulations.” He stepped out of the elevator, his cane making a dull thud against the marble floor. Only then did Margaret pull Yunice into the elevator.
As the doors closed, Yunice stared at the man’s towering figure and instinctively asked, “He’s Wyatt Cooper?”
Sensing Yunice’s curiosity, Margaret warned her, “Don’t be fooled by his looks. He’s a bad guy.”
Yunice had heard of Wyatt’s notorious reputation since childhood. At a Powell family banquet I attended as a child, I had witnessed him knocking over an entire champagne tower, causing a huge scene. Back then, Wyatt had been a rebellious teenager without a disability, already displaying his defiant nature. No wonder I had found him familiar in the alley. I had met him before.
As for Wyatt’s position, Paul had to call him “Uncle,” though he never did, nor did he acknowledge any relationship with Wyatt. After all, Wyatt was an illegitimate son. The Powell family had wanted him to change his surname to Powell, but he refused, insisting on keeping his mother’s surname. As a result, the Powell family never accepted him. But judging by Margaret’s reaction earlier, the power dynamics in the Powell family seemed to be shifting.
The elevator chimed, snapping Yunice out of her thoughts. She followed Margaret into the private dining room.
Not long after, Owen and Lily arrived.
10:46 AM
Chapter 13: He Is Wyatt Cooper +8 Pearls
Today, Elsie is the main focus.
Margaret held Yunice’s hand and said to Owen, “I just wanted Yunny to chat with me. Do you have a problem with that? If not for Yunny’s father, we wouldn’t even be sitting at the same table. Don’t forget your roots, Mr. Owen.”
Margaret’s words made Lily lower her head, while Owen’s face darkened in silence. Because of the power of the Powell family, he couldn’t argue with Margaret when she was defending Yunice.
A while later, Paul’s father, Jensen Powell, arrived with a young woman. Everyone immediately stood up, and Yunice looked at the unfamiliar woman beside Jensen in confusion. I had never seen her before.
Noticing the sudden change in Margaret’s expression, Yunice finally understood what she meant by “having a difficult life.” The woman took her seat next to Jensen, smiling graciously at Margaret before turning her attention to Lily. These powerful figures were masters at maintaining a perfect facade, hiding the storm brewing beneath the surface.
Yunice only later learned that Jensen had been with this woman for years. Margaret had endured the humiliation and divorced him three years ago.
Paul entered the room holding Elsie’s hand and addressed everyone, “Elsie and I were just ordering food. Sorry to keep you all waiting.”
Jensen’s new wife smiled warmly. “And this must be Yunny? She’s so graceful and refined. No wonder Paul adores her.”