CHAPTER 89: CHAPTER 89-RIDICULOUS

"Of course not. I’m genuinely happy for Philip," Charles said sincerely. Life had been far too harsh and lonely for Philip over the years. If he could have a child of his own, Charles would be glad for him. But... Janet. He couldn’t let her go, and for that, he could only feel sorry toward Philip.

"Mm. You should go visit Philip," Derrick said smoothly, deliberately sending Charles away. Then, as he turned to Janet—who was clearly terrified—he gave a cold, mocking smile. "If the procedure is successful, I’ll have a grandson in ten months."

"Why?" Janet raised her head, forcing herself to meet the eyes of this unfamiliar man before her. As a father, he was using his own son for revenge, and now he was doing something so cruel behind his back. Janet couldn’t help but feel sorry for Philip. If it were truly for his sake, she wouldn’t question it—but Derrick’s obvious favoritism chilled her to the core. She felt it was terribly unfair to Charles.

"Charles is your son too. Why can’t you accept a child from him?" she asked, her voice full of grievance.

"Charles has far more important things to accomplish. No one can get in his way now. And you—don’t think that just because you’re his woman, you can run your mouth without consequence. You’d best keep your tongue in check around him... or don’t blame me for turning my back on you," Derrick warned darkly.

His words exploded in Janet’s heart like fireworks—each spark leaving a burning sting. Her eyes welled with tears as she stared at Derrick’s ruthless, inhuman face, unable to utter another word.

On the drive back from the Elwin estate, Janet remained silent. Charles glanced repeatedly at her pale profile, watching her gaze drift blankly out the window. He reached over and gently took her hand in his.

"What’s wrong? Did my father say something to you?" he asked.

"Huh? No, nothing," Janet replied, her voice flustered as she forced a smile. Somehow, just holding his hand calmed her. Derrick’s madness had only deepened her resolve—she had to stay by Charles’s side, always. She wanted to warm his cold heart with her love, to give him everything she had.

"Philip’s surgery is tomorrow. I’ll try to stop by—do you want to come?" Charles asked as he steered the car onto the pine-lined road leading out of the estate.

"No... I’d rather not." Janet’s gaze dropped suddenly. She couldn’t bear to see Derrick’s hopeful expression—it would only make her hate him more. The warmth he gave Philip, the cruelty he showed Charles...

"Philip’s had a hard life. Maybe having a child will give him something to look forward to," Charles said with a sigh. He had no objection to Derrick’s arrangement. After all, in this world, money could solve just about anything. Philip didn’t want to get married—that was fine. They just wanted a child. The woman selected for the procedure wasn’t even someone they paid much attention to.

"Charles..." Janet hesitated before speaking again, her voice low and uncertain. "Did Philip... agree to this willingly?"

No man would want to have a child this way—not if he had any self-respect. And from what Janet knew of Philip, he was a proud man. For someone like him, this arrangement was nothing short of humiliating. And he wasn’t even whole—his body was broken.

"He must have... at least he didn’t object." Charles thought for a moment, then turned to look at her. "Why do you ask?"

"Oh, it’s nothing." Janet shook her head and returned her gaze to the window. When she noticed the direction Charles was driving—toward their home—she asked in surprise, "You’re not going to the office?"

"I’ll drop you off first," Charles replied mildly, casting her a quick glance. He couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something she wasn’t telling him.

"It’s fine, let’s go to the office together. I’ve got nothing to do at home anyway," Janet said, propping her chin on her hand. The word home now came to her naturally—wherever he was, that was home to her.

Charles said nothing more and adjusted their route toward the Black Rock Co. headquarters.

"Has the market in the States already opened? Is the capital fully secured?" he asked as soon as he stepped into his office, calling in Giles and Novia to discuss the recent maneuver that ousted the Louis Corporation from its financing deal with mb Group.

"Yes. The finance department transferred five billion dollars—through August. He’s also the one who signed the contract," Giles reported, placing the document bearing August’s signature in front of Charles.

A cold, cutting smile tugged at the corners of Charles’s lips. "Good. Let’s see how August plans to plug that massive hole he’s just created."

He had deliberately held back until now, allowing August to get cocky. But now, the time had come. It was time to make them understand the cost of provoking Charles.

"And what about Harold...?" Giles asked cautiously, reminding him of a plan that had been shelved due to the wedding—Charles’s original intention to crush the Louis Group after learning about Janet’s background.

"No need. Leave that side for now. I need to clean house first." Charles lifted his chin, his expression as cold as steel. His fingers tightened around the contract on his desk with calculated force.

It had been over three months since August joined Black Rock Co. He had enjoyed his moment in the sun for long enough. Now, Charles would strike.

"What’s the result? Will it work?" Derrick asked impatiently as he waited for the compatibility report. Philip had already been moved to a recovery ward. He hadn’t seen the woman who had provided the egg, nor did he care who she was.

To him, this was nothing more than a task—a box to check. Derrick had been pressuring him for years to marry and have children, and Philip was simply tired of resisting.

"I’m sorry, Chairman Elwin," the hospital director said apologetically, having personally overseen the procedure. "The chances of success this time are very low. But it’s not unusual. These procedures often require multiple attempts before implantation succeeds."

Derrick’s expression collapsed into disappointment before hardening again. He reminded the director sternly not to let the information leak before turning and heading for the ward.

By then, Charles had arrived, and Philip was just waking up. As Derrick entered the room, Charles asked anxiously, "How did it go?"

"It failed. But I’m not giving up. We’ll try again next month," Derrick snapped. He didn’t believe in fate—he believed only in results. And he wouldn’t accept failure.

"No. I only agreed to do this once," Philip said quietly. His face remained calm, almost detached. Perhaps to him, this failure was a sign—a confirmation that he was meant to live alone. He had never asked for much, but he was also tired of letting Derrick control his life.

"Ridiculous! You’re my son—how can you be so spineless?" Derrick shouted, his anger erupting like a storm.

Philip didn’t flinch. "If you want a grandson that badly, let Charles and Janet have one instead."