Chapter 538

Chapter 538

Aline didn't finish what she was going to say, but Elsie already understood what she meant.

She'd seen a lot of dirty dealings in wealthy families. Not to mention the Borgia family had a track record of these kind of things.

"Where are you now?" Elsie asked.

"I'm still downstairs at the Borgia Group Building."

"Don't panic, and don't do anything rash," Elsie reassured her. "Here's what we'll do, find somewhere to wait for me, I'll come to you. We'll go check out the situation at the Borgia family together."

"Okay!" Hearing Elsie say this, Aline's anxious heart settled down a bit. "I'll wait for you!"

After hanging up, Elsie looked at Harold. "Harold, I need to go out. Aline might be in some trouble."

Harold nodded. "The Borgia family? Need any help?"

"Not yet, we'll go see what's going on first." Elsie grabbed her coat. "If it's really what Aline is worried about, those Borgia family people need to be put in their place."

Her voice was calm, but carried an unmistakable sense of determination. Whether it was the person behind Missy's situation, or potential scheming within the Borgia family, she wouldn't just stand by and watch.

The Borgia Mansion.

Larry stood in front of the large desk, his voice a bit hoarse, but every word was clear.

"Mom, this is the Borgia Group's development plan for the next three years."

"Follow this, and within five years, the Borgia Group's market value will double, making us the real industry leader."

Sandra didn't even glance at the proposal, she just lifted her chin to look at him.

"Just tell me, what are you really trying to do?" Sandra's voice was tight.

"Just one condition." Larry met her gaze, speaking clearly. "My marriage, I decide for myself. I won't marry someone I don't have feelings for."

The moment he finished speaking, Sandra's teacup smashed onto the polished floor, porcelain shards scattering everywhere.

"Freedom to marry?"

"Larry, for some woman of unknown background, you don't care about the Borgia family's future anymore?" Sandra's voice rose several notches, almost distorted. "Did that Aline put some kind of spell on you?"

"What kind of family is she from? What's her background? What can she do to help the Borgia family? Don't think I don't know she has a gambling addict father. I heard she owes a lot of money. A woman like that getting close to you clearly has bad intentions."

"Mom! Aline isn't what you think!" Larry couldn't help raising his voice, his chest heaving. "I like her, it has nothing to do with her background!"

"Haven't I done enough for the Borgia family?"

"The company's doing well now, and I can't even decide who I marry?"

"Got some skills now, so you think you can fly solo?" Sandra pointed at him, her voice trembling with rage. "You really think everything you have now is because of your own abilities?"

"Without the Borgia family, what are you?"

"That Aline, besides making you act stupid, what good can she do you?"

"She makes me happy!" Larry shouted, his eyes reddening. "She understands me better than anyone, she's on my side more than anyone!"

"Happy?" Sandra laughed mockingly, looking him up and down. "Look at yourself now, talking back to your parents over some woman. Do you have any sense of Borgia family propriety left?"

The more she spoke, the angrier she became. She lifted her hand and slapped him hard across the, creating a gust of wind.

Larry didn't dodge, taking the full force of it.

His face burned with pain, but that pain was nothing compared to how cold his heart felt.

"Enough!" His voice was terribly hoarse, full of disappointment he couldn't suppress. "When have you ever really cared about what I think?"

"All you care about is the Borgia family business, your own reputation!"

"Outrageous! This is outrageous!" Sandra clutched her chest, her body swaying.

"Someone! Lock him in the attic!"

"When he comes to his senses, then he can come out!" Sandra pressed her temple, her words carrying a chill. "Take his phone and everything. No one is allowed to see him!"

"I want to see how long he can be stubborn!"

Several burly bodyguards came in on command. Ignoring Larry's resistance, they dragged him up from the floor.

"Let go of me!" Larry struggled, but the men were too strong, he couldn't break free.

"Mom... Are you really going to do this?" His voice trembled as he looked at Sandra.

Sandra turned her face away, not looking at him anymore.

His body hurt, his heart felt even more suffocated. Larry's head spun, everything went dizzy.

In his daze, he seemed to hear Sandra say one more thing: "I think that Aline has him completely bewitched. Lock him up so he can clear his head!"

The car stopped in front of the iron gate of the Borgia Mansion.

Aline's hand had just touched the door handle, and before she could push it open, Elsie gently but firmly pressed down on her wrist.

"Don't rush." Elsie's voice wasn't loud, but it was steady. "Let's go in first and figure out what's going on."

Aline took a deep breath, then slowly let it out, and nodded.

Her palms were still sweating.

A servant went in to announce them, and soon came out, leading the two into a side room.

The side room was unnaturally quiet. Those antique pieces that looked expensive now gave off an indescribable chill.

After waiting about ten minutes, they heard footsteps.

A well-dressed middle-aged woman, surrounded by several servants, walked in unhurriedly.

This must be Larry's mother, Sandra.

She first glanced at Elsie, then fixed her gaze on Aline, looking her up and down.

"Isn't this Ms. Glover?"

"What brings you here?" Sandra's tone was strange, hard to tell if it was polite or something else. "Do you need something?"

Elsie didn't beat around the bush. "Mrs. Borgia, we're here to see Larry."

"Aline hasn't been able to reach him these past few days, she's a bit worried about him."

"Worried?" Sandra laughed coldly. "The Borgia family's business doesn't need outsiders worrying about it."

"Larry is just fine. He's just been working too hard lately, the doctor told him to rest for a few days."

The dismissal and contempt in those words were obvious to anyone.

Aline's anger flared up, and just as she was about to speak, Elsie shot her a look, making her hold back for now.

"Mrs. Borgia," Elsie continued, "Larry is the president of the Borgia Group. Being absent without reason for several days with his phone turned off can't be explained away with just 'resting.' We just want to confirm his safety."

Sandra's face darkened. "Ms. Glover, I respect you as the sister of Pinnacle Bank's president, and I'm willing to show you respect. But Larry is my son, and his affairs will naturally be handled properly by me, his mother. Please leave and don't disturb his rest."

She turned to Aline, no longer bothering to hide the sharp sarcasm in her tone. "Especially certain people should have some self-awareness and stop trying to climb the social ladder. The Borgia family isn't something just anyone can aspire to."