bChapter /b154

Mason

…

:

b93 /b

E35 vouchers

My hands around my steering wheel tightened, and I pressed on the elerator. My car sped across the highway. “What do you mean, there was a press conference?” I asked, stopping in front of a red line.

“Well, it was hmm…” Daniel was reluctant to speak. “Speak,” I ordered, and at once he began.

“Julia and your mom held a press conference. I’ll send you the video.” He said in a hurried tone.

“I don’t have time to watch the video, just tell me what they said.”

“Well…” he began, then paused, “it’s about Lydia.” His voice lowered with each word, as if this were difficult to

say.

At the mention of her name, my breath hitched, and dread filled my stomach. “What about Lydia?” I asked.

“Well, she…” the car behind me honked loudly. I had almost forgotten about the red light, which had now turned green. “You really should watch this yourself.”

“I’ming over to the office immediately.” I switchednes and drove straight to the airport.

After I left Lydia’s house yesterday, I had to leave for an urgent meeting, which took ce in another city. It had been so sudden that I didn’t have time to inform Lydia because she was asleep. The meeting would conclude in ia /ifew hours.

It did. I concluded the meeting three hours ago, but something else came up at a site my men were working on. The ident caused the death of five men, and ten were critically injured. It called for a meeting, I would have attended had I not received Daniel’s call.

I would never have known about what was going on at home if not for Vivian, the temporary P.A. who was assisting me. She was the first to show me the article.

The flight took two hours. Daniel was already outside waiting for me in the car. After settling into the car, Daniel handed me a tablet. “You should watch it for yourself,” he said.

My chest burned with anger as I watched the video of Mom and Julia seated with teary eyes. How could Mom be iso /iheartless? I couldn’t wipe the image of Mom’s face from my head as we drove to the mansion.

I dialled Lydia’s number multiple times, but it didn’t connect. It makes sense for her not to want to speak to me. My heart clenched at the thought of Lydia’s name being tainted.

“Has Lydia dropped any statement?” I questioned. The car stopped in front of a gate. “No, nothing yet.” I drummed my hand on the tablet.

The car made its way into the mansion through the driveway,

As I tookrge strides to the door, a final resolve brewed within me. It was time for the truth to be revealed.

11:01 bWed/bb, /bbSep /bb24 /b..

:

b93 /b

35 vouchers

Once the door opened, I brushed past the maid and went straight into the house, fuming in anger. Mom was seated by the side, sharing a drink with Julia. They clinked their sses at the same time I walked in.

Noticing my presence, Mom turned to me and her lips stretched into a smile,pletely ignoring the anger wiped bacross /bmy face.

“Mason, I didn’t know you wereing.” The ss made a gentle clinking sound bas /bshe set it on the table. Mom walked towards me, spreading her hands apart.

My eyes

darkened with each step she took. Her legs halt a few inches away. It seems she finally got the message. My jaw ticked as I stared down at her, sping and unsping my hands.

“Why did you do that?” My voice is low but has an authoritative undertone. My eyes shifted to Julia, who was looking anywhere but me.

“What are you talking about?” Mom asked, ying dumb.

“You bloody know what I am talking about,” I screamed, running one hand through my thick hair. “Was lying to me not enough? Do you have to lie in public as well?” My lips trembled from anger.

“Mason, calm down.” She said, taking a step back.

“Calm down?” Was she joking? “How can anyone be calm after what you did? And you had to drag Zoe into your mess, again!”

“I did what I had to do, what mother would sit still after what Lydia did. Besides, I think it’s a good thing; after all, it brought you running over. After thest time we met, I was actually scared you would not being over again.”

“You what?” bI /bscoffed, cursing myself for having even the tiniest expectation from her.

“Mason, Mom had your best interest at heart,” Julia said in a gentle voice as she stood and walked over to stand at Mom’s side. “Revealing who Alissa was to the public will do more good than bad for you.” She says. “Besides, Lyd-”

bI /bcut her off, “Don’t you dare mention her name with those rotten lips of yours.” I said through gritted teeth, enunciating every word.

Her entire body tensed up.

I looked between her and mom, and that was when it urred to me, “Do you even know what you just did?” I questioned, “You looked smart, but you’re actually senseless.” I sneered. “It seems you are still in the dark.”

“I don’t know what you mean, but speaking to your mom in such a tone is not a nice-”

“You don’t get to lecture me, Julia.” I deadpanned. She straightened.

“Mason, don’t speak to her in such a tone.” Mom warned, “She is my daughter–inw.”

A lowugh resounded in the room. I looked pointedly at Julia, who shifted from one foot to another. “Do you really think this will make me love you?”

b93 /b

b35 /bvouchers

I raised a brow, “I have told you before, I am done with whatever we had.” I took one step closer to them, “Mom, you should tell her.” I said, my eyes still trained on Julia. “Or should I?” Mom’s eyes darted around.

“Ju-”

“Mason, that’s enough. I get that you’re angry, please take it out on Lydia, not us.”

It was Julia’s turn to be anxious. She looked at Mom, who avoided her gaze, “Tell me what?”

“I never liked you or loved you. You were just a recement, and you didn’t do a good job. You are a pawn in Mrs Woods‘ game.” I stated firmly.

It took me a long time to realise this, but I was also a pawn in her game once.

“That’s not true, Julia. He’s saying that out of spite,” Mom eagerly exined.

“Even if it’s true, I don’t care. I love you and always have. My love is enough for both of us.”

She really was stupid.

I was done with these two women, it seems the trip over here was a waste of time.

“For thest time, I’ll ask you to correct the message you passed at the conference you held,” I said.

“And for thest time, I have no intention of doing so,” her tone matched mine. My eyes narrowed, and I seized her up. The air thickened.

“Fine. Since that’s what you want.” I began, then continued, “I will no longer see you as my mother. Henceforth, I have no mother.” I dered, forcing the words out of my mouth.

My voice caught in my throat as I continued, “Mywyers will be in touch, seat tight, Mrs Woods, you’re in for a long, bumpy ride.”

I turned around, ignoring her calls as I walked out.

There, I’ve done what I should have done ages ago. I’ve severed ties with her. My heart suddenly feels light, like a weight has been lifted off my chest.

“How did it go? Did ma’am agree to-” I shook my head before Daniel finished speaking. He held the door open for me.

“I got news that Miss Lydia is in the hospital,” he said, driving out through the gate.

“What? What happened to her?”

“Not her,” Daniel said, holding my eyes briefly through the rearview mirror. “It’s your son, Liam.”

The car pulled over in the hospital, and I alighted. However, immediately I stepped down, cameras went off, and a sea of reporters surrounded me.

“Are you here to see Lydia?”

11:01 Wed, Sep 24 …

“Are you aware she killed your stepdad?”

:

“Is she truly the cause of your breakup with Julia Everett?”

“Did she try to drag you into the life of her bastards?”

Bastards?

I was ready to push my way through the crowd, but that word stopped me.

My eyes flickered to the reporter, “You,” I called, “what is your name?” I inquired.

b93 /b

B35 vouchers

He beamed, probably thinking he got noticed, pushing his chest out, he spoke, still pointing the microphone forward, “Dave Johnson. From the KFC newsroom.”

I nodded, tasting his name in my tongue, “Mywyers will be in touch. Even if you were to leave prison, let’s see if you’d ever show your face in this industry.” The smile on his face fell as the realisation of the damage he caused grew rapidly across his features.

I didn’t need another word before they created a path for me to walk through.

“Make sure no reporter is there. You have ten minutes to make sure they are gone.”

“Yes, bossb./bb” /b

I will deal with every news outlet that broadcasts the news about Lydia. For now, I need to see her and make sure Liam is fine.

AD