Chapter 71: Let’s Talk About Compensation

Everyone nodded like bobbleheads.

The troublemakers were handled smoothly—except for the unconscious mistress still lying on the floor.

One of the guards grabbed a bucket of ice water and dumped it over her head without ceremony.

The woman—still half-dazed—gasped and sneezed her way back to consciousness.

Austin approached with his usual pleasant smile.

“Mr. Watson has instructed me,” he began mildly, “that although you attempted to physically attack him, he’s a generous man and doesn’t wish to press charges. However, we regret that both of your arms were broken in the scuffle. One arm costs a hundred thousand in compensation, so two make two hundred thousand. Of course, if that price doesn’t satisfy you, we could add another limb—each leg also goes for a hundred thousand.”

The mistress burst into wails loud enough to shake the walls.

“I was wrong! I know I was wrong! Please forgive me! I’ll never do it again—never! I didn’t know who you were, Madam! I was blind! I deserve to die—please, spare me!”

Austin’s voice stayed smooth. “About that compensation…”

“No compensation! I don’t want anything! Not a single cent!” she screamed in terror.

“I believe you’ve misunderstood, ma’am,” Austin replied, smiling even more kindly.

“Earlier, you went on quite the rampage and destroyed Watson Group’s newly acquired beauty center. Tell me—how do you plan to compensate us?”

Her mouth fell open. She—destroyed—the salon?

“If you intend to deny it,” Austin said pleasantly, “we’ll have no choice but to pursue it through legal channels.”

“I—” she stammered, searching for words. But one glance at Austin’s calm, mocking eyes made her shiver all over.

“I’ll pay!” she blurted out, defeated.

Austin nodded in satisfaction, pulled a contract from his folder, and handed it to her.

“Since you have no objections, sign here. The renovation costs are to be transferred into our account within one week. If you miss the deadline, we’ll have to charge you with intentional assault.”

—

Inside, Austin managed the aftermath.

Outside, Julian and Cora sat in the car with Cora’s mother.

Finally, her mother found her voice. Her hands trembled as she gripped Cora’s tightly.

“Cora, Jule… you already knew, didn’t you? Tell me the truth. Don’t lie to me!”

Cora looked helplessly at Julian.

He placed a reassuring hand on her back. “We only found out this afternoon,” he said calmly. “What you saw is what it is—though there may be more we don’t yet know. But right now, what matters is your decision.”

“My… decision?” Cora’s mother repeated, her voice hollow. She couldn’t cry anymore—she was past it, numb and gray.

“Yes,” Julian said evenly. “This situation seems beyond repair. Unless you choose to endure it—to pretend nothing happened.”

“Impossible!” she cut him off, her tone sharp and final. “Absolutely impossible!”

Her fists clenched, knuckles white.

“Mom,” Cora said softly, “there’s something else you need to know. Dad doesn’t just have one woman outside—he’s been going on blind dates, trying to find someone who can give him a child.”

It was absurd—especially since the one who couldn’t have children was him, not her.

“So what are you going to do?” Cora asked nervously. The shock on her mother’s face made her heart ache.

Her mother stayed silent for a long time, then finally broke down. “I don’t know, Cora. What should I do?”

Julian’s expression darkened, unreadable.

Cora leaned forward and hugged her tightly. “Mom, whatever you decide, I’ll support you. You’ve protected me my whole life—it’s my turn to protect you.”

Julian glanced at his watch. “It’s late. Let’s go back to the hotel first. You can decide in the morning.”

Cora nodded quietly.

Julian drove them away.

Not long after, Laura finally arrived at the beauty salon—out of breath and far too late. By the time she reached the entrance, Julian’s car was already pulling away.

She ran a few steps, shouting his name, but he didn’t even hear her. He was gone.

—

Back at the hotel, Cora wanted to stay with her mother, but Julian stopped her gently.

“Let her rest,” he said in a low voice. “She needs time to think. No one can make that decision for her.”

Cora opened her mouth to argue, then hesitated. He was right.

Her parents had been married for over twenty years. Her mother’s endurance came from love—cutting that tie overnight wasn’t easy.

She nodded. “Mom, we’re right next door. Call us if you need anything.”

“I know,” her mother said quietly. She gave Julian a small, polite nod, then turned and locked herself in her room.

As soon as the door clicked shut, she slid down to the carpet, clutching the frame, and finally let the sobs tear through her.

For more than twenty years she’d lived like walking on glass—dutiful, patient, endlessly accommodating.

She’d endured her mother-in-law’s cruelty, her husband’s silence, and the family’s coldness.

But this? This betrayal—this she could never forgive.

She wanted to see him.

She wanted to ask him why.

—

Cora and Julian sat in silence. Neither spoke.

Cora lay down early but couldn’t sleep. Julian didn’t speak either, just stayed beside her.

It was a long, sleepless night for all of them.

By dawn, Cora woke to find her mother already up, neatly folding her blanket, eyes distant.

“Mom…” Cora murmured, kneeling beside her.

Her mother stroked her hair gently. “I’m sorry, Cora. I’ve made you worry.”

“Don’t say that,” Cora said, tears welling. “Please don’t. You have to take care of yourself. I need you, and so does the baby.”

Her mother finally met her gaze and sighed. Seeing the dark circles under Cora’s eyes, she reached out and caressed her cheek. “Cora, I want to go home.”

“Okay,” Cora said softly. No hesitation, no questions. Whatever her mother decided, she would stand by it.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

Julian’s voice came from outside: “The cars are ready. We can leave whenever you are.”

Her mother froze. “You’re all coming?”

Cora smiled faintly. “Of course. If you’re going home, how could we not go with you?”