Chapter 116 Why Are You So Heartless
Thinking of this, I took the initiative to hold Atlas's hand and said, "Let's pick a time for me to visit your family with you."
Atlas was both surprised and delighted. "Helena, have you thought it through?"
I nodded. "Yes."
I answered readily, but Atlas hesitated. "Let me go back and prepare them first. You know my family situation is complicated, and there are a lot of people. I'm worried they might target you."
"There's no 'might.' Even if they do, I'm not afraid." I'm not a fragile person. I'm the future leader of the Lockwood Group. I need to experience all kinds of challenges—that's the only way to grow.
"Besides, you'll be there. No matter how difficult it gets, we'll face it together."
Henry applauded and praised. "Good, well said! That's my daughter!"
Then Henry looked at Atlas. "Atlas, you must live up to Helena's devotion."
Atlas nodded solemnly. "Mr. Lockwood, don't worry. I will."
After Atlas left, I returned home to find Henry and Maria waiting for me, as expected.
Seeing me come in, Henry motioned for me to sit down. "Have you really thought this through?"
I nodded. "Yes, and Atlas is someone worth trusting."
Henry nodded. "He is indeed trustworthy. He's been on his own all these years and has a good reputation in the industry. Apart from those rumors about his private life, I haven't heard of him doing anything unethical behavior."
Hearing this, Maria asked nervously, "But Helena, are those rumors about his private life true or false?"
I shook my head. "I asked him. He said someone framed him."
Maria was still worried. "We can't take this lightly. If needed, have your father find someone to investigate privately."
"No need. I trust Atlas's character."
In my previous life, before I died, Atlas's reputation took a dramatic turn. He actually sued the women who slandered him and won the case. Some of them confessed they were instructed by other members of the Lancaster family to frame him deliberately.
So I'm certain that Atlas's tarnished reputation was deliberately smeared by someone.
Seeing my determination, Maria's eyes showed concern. I knew she was thinking of me, but Atlas wasn't Knox.
Henry consoled her, "Alright, Helena's grown up. She knows what she's doing. As parents, we should learn to let go."
"Easy for you to say. This is my daughter. How can I not worry?"
Maria muttered in dissatisfaction, then said to me, "We support your choice, but remember, if you're wronged, you must come back and tell us."
"The Lockwood family isn't to be messed with. Anyone who wrongs you will pay the price."
"Okay, thank you, Mom."
Maria patted my hand. "Alright, go upstairs and rest."
I nodded and headed upstairs.
The next morning, I drove to the office. Just as I left the house, someone blocked my car.
An unexpected figure appeared before me—it was Knox.
His eyes were bloodshot, his hair messy and unkempt, his clothes wrinkled. He looked completely disheveled, making me realize he must have just been released from the police station.
Seeing me stop the car, he rushed over.
"Helena, I need to talk to you."
I didn't get out of the car. I just rolled down the window and looked at him coldly. "Knox, I have nothing to say to you. When you chose to cheat with Natasha and scheme against the Lockwood Group, we were done."
"Helena, you can't be so heartless. This is all a misunderstanding. I can explain."
Knox gripped the car window tightly, refusing to leave.
"No need for explanations. Videos don't lie, and those contracts in black and white don't lie either. If you want to explain, save it for court."
I looked up at him. "Though I'd rather not end up in court with you. After all, we were together once. It's better to end things amicably."
"If possible, go back and discuss with your father about settling the loan matter privately. What do you say?"
"Helena, how can you be so heartless? Do you know how much I suffered in that police station!"
Knox said, veins bulging on his forehead, his face full of resentment.
"I couldn't eat or sleep well, worrying about you day and night, afraid you'd be gossiped about. As soon as I got out, I came straight to you without even resting."
"But what about you? You only care about contracts. You don't care whether I live or die. Why are you so heartless to me!"
Hearing his tearful accusations, I found it laughable.
"Knox, you were arrested because you brought it on yourself. I care about the contract because it's my family's money. I'm being gossiped about because of you! All this pain comes from you!"
I sneered at Knox. "If it weren't for you and Natasha fooling around, how could things have gotten to this point!"
Seeing me mention Natasha, Knox clearly felt guilty.
"Helena, that was a misunderstanding. Natasha deliberately seduced me. You can only blame me for not resisting her seduction."
Knox slapped himself hard twice on the face.
His cheeks immediately turned red. I never imagined Knox was such a good actor.
I laughed coldly. "Enough. I don't want to know about what's between you two. Knox, from the day of the wedding, we were done. There's nothing between us anymore."
"From now on, whether you marry Natasha or anyone else has nothing to do with me. Don't come looking for me again."
"Helena, how can you be so heartless?"
Seeing me about to leave, Knox became furious. "Helena, you can't do this to me!"
I ignored his words, pressed the gas pedal, and the car sped away.
"Helena, Helena!"
Through the rearview mirror, I saw Knox shouting frantically behind me.
My heart turned cold. In this life, I've finally gotten rid of Knox, that demon.
But Knox definitely won't let this go. Fortunately, I now have Atlas by my side.
Just as I was thinking about him, my phone suddenly rang. I checked and it was his call.
"Helena, my grandfather has heard about us. He wants us to come back tonight. If it's not convenient for you..."
"It's convenient."
Before he could finish, I interrupted.
Since I'll have to face it sooner or later, let this meeting come sooner.
Atlas didn't expect me to agree so readily. After a moment of silence, he said, "Helena, if you're not ready, we can wait. You don't need to deliberately cater to anyone in the Lancaster family."
"No, I just think this meeting will happen eventually, so we might as well face it early."
Hearing my natural tone, Atlas on the other end relaxed considerably.
"Alright then, I'll pick you up tonight."