As soon as these words were spoken, Genevieve’s face underwent a drastic change, as if the sky itself was about to collapse.
“How many children in the world don’t resemble their father? One could only say that my genes are dominant, which is why they look more like me,” Genevieve tried to suppress her feelings and act as if nothing had happened, but her uncontrollable body trembled as she spoke.
“Genevieve, all I said was that they don’t look like my dad, I didn’t even say they look like Paul. Why are you getting so worked up?” The mere mention of this had already deeply wounded Genevieve, and now, with the name Paul brought up, she could barely stand.
“What are you talking about! How did other people get dragged into this?” Genevieve retorted.
“Others? But I feel like my siblings don’t look like my dad at all, rather they resemble Paul. Could it be you did something long ago and forgot?” Aurora’s smile was like a rose blooming secretly in the night.
Genevieve grabbed Aurora’s hand, “What exactly do you want?”
Holding an umbrella, Aurora’s smile faded, and her eyes became icy.
“Genevieve, it seems my mother asked you the same question years ago. What do you want?”
Back then, after being bombarded by various photos, videos, and audio clips sent by Genevieve, the strong-willed Victoria began to crumble. Once, when Magnus was drunk, originally his company’s secretary was supposed to take him home, but Genevieve sent the secretary away and took him to the Montgomery family’s doorstep herself. Victoria, seeing the two at the door, was furious at Genevieve’s audacity to come to the Montgomery family home and confronted her, “What exactly do you want to do?”
“Do? Mrs. Montgomery, I thought I made my intentions quite clear. I want your place. If you were wise, you’d leave him yourself, otherwise don’t blame me for using means to drive you away. A divorce might still preserve some of your dignity, otherwise it’ll be much more pitiful.”
“You… are utterly outrageous.”
“Heh, who made him like me this way? Mrs. Montgomery, I’ve set my sights on your position,” Genevieve declared haughtily before leaving.
Little Aurora rubbed her eyes and came over, “Mom, who was that just now?”
“It’s nothing, just a friend of your dad’s. He was drunk, and I helped him up.”
As she passed by Aurora, Aurora noticed her palm was bright red, marked by Genevieve’s nails.
The memories of Genevieve hurting her mother were vivid in her mind. The tables had turned, and she had waited years for this day!
“Aurora, I know I wronged your mother. If she were still alive, I would definitely apologize to her, but she’s long gone. When will this cycle of vengeance end? I’ve been with your father for so many years now; please let us be,” Genevieve pleaded, showing weakness.
Her plea only disgusted Aurora further, her expression unchanging.
“Let you go? Who will let my mom go? Genevieve, you must pay for what you did back then. What do you think dad would do if he knew that Ivy and Zachary aren’t even his children, that he raised someone else’s for twenty-one years?”
“Please, Aurora, you mustn’t let your dad find out about this. Hate me if you must, seek revenge if you will, but please, spare them. They are still children.”
Now Genevieve understood the urgency.
“They are just children, and am I not a child too? How did you treat me back then? And now, a simple apology is supposed to suffice?”
“As long as you can spare the children, I will do anything. I can leave Clothville and never approach your father again.”
The heart of a parent knows no bounds. Despite Ivy and Zachary’s failings, they were still Genevieve’s children. If their identities were exposed, their futures would be completely destroyed.
It was her own sin. How could she let her children suffer such hardships? Especially since they had been pampered all their lives.
Once they were expelled from the Montgomery family, lacking any survival skills or capabilities, how would they stand a chance in this dark society? The Montgomery family had been their shield against the storms; they could not afford to lose this protection.
“And what about what you did to me in the past? How do we settle that account?”
Genevieve looked at the noble woman standing before her, holding an umbrella. She bore a striking resemblance to her, especially in the air of austerity and innate nobility that surrounded her.
No matter the circumstance, she always stood tall, a demeanor Genevieve and Ivy could never emulate. It wasn’t about wearing branded coats or luxury items; it emanated from within.
Genevieve knelt down, slowly sinking into the cold water as the heavy rain soaked her clothes.
Aurora, holding the umbrella, looked down at the woman kneeling before her. The raindrops fell like broken pearls, dripping one by one onto Genevieve’s head.
Genevieve, usually so concerned with her appearance, now disregarded her disheveled state. Her eyes pleaded, “Aurora, I’m begging you, do whatever you want with me, just please spare my children.”
Aurora, seeing her kneel, felt not happiness but pity.
“Had you known this day would come, why act as you did? Genevieve, it’s useless. No matter what you do, I will not let you off. Only this way can I make up for the wounds you inflicted on my mother. It seems you won’t be needing me to see you home. Keep the umbrella. From now on, fend for yourself. Our feud is not over until death!”
With those words, Aurora threw the umbrella to the ground, where it landed slowly, facing upwards, as the rain continued to pour.
Genevieve reached out to grab Aurora, “I’m begging you, please don’t tell him!”
The only response was the sound of Aurora closing her door. Genevieve desperately pounded on the car door, “No, Aurora, please don’t!”
Aurora didn’t even glance back as she shifted gears and accelerated away. Genevieve fell forward into the mud.
Her designer clothes were now stained beyond recognition, her tears mixing with the rain on her face.
“No, don’t!”
She had never been so distraught in her life. Suddenly recalling something urgent, she quickly dialed Ivy’s number.
“Mom, have you found the hotel yet?” Ivy’s voice came through.
“Child, you must be careful. Never have any contact with Aurora, and make sure she doesn’t get any of your hair, nails, or even skin flakes. Stay far away from her, remember that!”