CHAPTER 1410: CHAPTER 1410: NOW YOU WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE ME, IT’S TOO LATE

Wang Hailan felt Stone was a bit too arrogant, so she stood up and said, "Your father is doing this for your own good. Think it through before you say anything."

Stone looked at Wang Hailan and replied, "You’re the mistress who made my so-called father abandon his wife and child all those years ago. What right do you have to lecture me? You’re not welcome here—get out."

Wang Hailan was furious. If Ning Ziping hadn’t insisted she come, she wouldn’t have bothered. Now, this brat was publicly humiliating her.

With tears in her eyes, she looked at Ning Ziping and said, "How can he say such things about me?"

Stone sneered and said, "Isn’t what I said the truth? Aren’t you just pretending to be the victim?"

Wang Hailan was incensed by Stone’s disdainful tone and retorted, "You’re just a junior. What qualifications do you have to judge right and wrong between elders?"

Stone stared at the angry woman in front of him and said, "I have every qualification—because you destroyed my family, hurt my mother, and did shameless things. Maybe others don’t have the right to judge you, but I do. You are the reason my childhood was miserable."

This time, Wang Hailan was truly heartbroken and said, "You were just little back then—what could you possibly know? It’s all hearsay. Your father and mother had long since lost affection for each other. How can you blame me for that?"

Stone thought of his imperfect but deeply loving mother and said, "Oh, so being the mistress has a justification now? Even if they didn’t love each other anymore, that still doesn’t give you a reason to interfere and become the third party."

Wang Hailan was both angry and flustered and said, "Is this how the Gu family raised you? No matter what you say, I’m still your father’s legitimate wife!"

At that moment, Gu Qianru and her husband walked in, followed closely by Lu Yichen.

Gu Qianru let out a mocking laugh and said, "It’s rare to see a whore lecturing people on proper upbringing. Oh, you’re saying we taught Stone to disrespect you? Do you really think you deserve respect? Did Stone say anything wrong?"

Right now, Wang Hailan just wanted to die. Why had she listened to Ning Ziping and come here to endure this humiliation?

Once the group reached Old Master Gu and stood by him, Lu Yichen finally spoke, "We won’t prevent Stone from recognizing you, but the condition is that Stone must agree to it himself. No one should force him. After all, he’s already twenty-two and no longer needs a guardian."

Ning Ziping furrowed his brow and looked at his son. "Stone, Zheng Lei, can’t you forgive your father?"

Stone replied calmly, "If you want me to forgive you, fine. But I have a few conditions."

Hearing this, Ning Ziping grew somewhat agitated and said, "Say it, tell me your conditions."

Wang Hailan, however, felt alarm bells ringing in her heart—she had a bad feeling about this.

Stone said, "Ever since I was eight, I’ve been living with my brother. My food, clothing, and daily necessities have always been top-quality. You need to compensate me for those costs. Also, the money you provided for my education over the years, as well as my pocket money during that time—you must pay it all back."

Ning Ziping nodded and said, "Of course, that’s only fair. Just give me a number. Even if I have to sell everything, I’ll make sure to pay it."

Stone said, "I’ve already calculated it before. It comes to around fifteen thousand. I’ll waive the exact figures—just pay fifteen thousand directly."

Ning Ziping felt a stab of pain at the amount, but after considering the family’s finances and possibly borrowing from his brothers if needed, he decided he could manage.

Meanwhile, Wang Hailan pulled at his sleeve desperately, her heart panicked, thinking, "This is unacceptable!"

Ning Ziping ignored Wang Hailan’s tugging and said firmly, "Alright, I agree to this."

Seeing him agree, Stone continued, "If I reconcile with you, I won’t spend a single penny of yours. But don’t even think about trying to take money from me either. I want us to stay out of each other’s lives and work completely."

Ning Ziping found this condition simple enough and said happily, "Of course, of course—there will be no interference. As long as you’re willing to come home, everything is fine."

Stone looked at the excitement on Ning Ziping’s face with nothing but disdain in his eyes. He continued, "One last condition: I’ll return to the Ning family, but she must leave. When I say leave, I mean she can have no further relations with the Ning family. If you can agree and do this, I’ll come back. If not, don’t bother."

Ning Ziping’s excitement was instantly extinguished by these words, which felt like cold water being poured over him.

He asked with difficulty, "Does it really have to be like this?"

Stone responded coldly, "Hmm. You think it’s possible for the person who harmed my mother and made my childhood hell to live peacefully with me? Do you think that’s something I can tolerate?"

Stone had never truly intended to reconcile with the Ning family. Since they insisted on pursuing him, why not let them suffer? This was what they deserved.

Ning Zijun wanted to step in to mediate but was silenced by a frosty glare from Stone.

Back then, everyone in the Ning family had known what had happened, but who had spoken up for him? Who had helped him? Now they wanted to reconcile—it was too late.

Stone had deliberately laid down such conditions because no matter what Ning Ziping decided, none of it would feel comfortable. That was exactly his goal.