Chapter 165 Humiliated
"Dad, what do you mean by that?"
Hearing this, Natasha panicked. John flicked his sleeve and said, "If you ruin Ivan's future, then I'll have no choice but to cut ties with you."
"Dad."
Natasha tried to act cute to make John change his mind, but this matter concerned Ivan's future, and John wouldn't allow her to mess around.
"If you want to cut ties with me, then don't follow us!"
After John finished speaking, he looked at me and said, "Let's go, right now."
I didn't expect John to be even more anxious than me. It seemed Ivan was his weak spot.
I nodded, "Okay."
With that, I turned and left with John. Seeing us leave just like that, Natasha instantly panicked.
"Dad, Knox, what are you two doing? Isn't there any other way? Do we really have to apologize to Helena?"
Then I heard Willow's voice, "Natasha, your father is right. Just apologize to Helena. It's not a big deal. Once you apologize, this will all be over."
"Mom, I won't!"
Natasha was still unwilling. Then Willow's voice came again, "Natasha, I've spoiled you too much, which is why you're so out of control."
"Look at what time it is. If you don't back down now, it'll affect Ivan's future. If Ivan succeeds later and takes over the Lockwood Group, won't you benefit from that too?"
As Willow spoke, she tapped Natasha's head in frustration. "Once the Lockwood Group is in Ivan's hands, dealing with Helena will be easy then. Why can't you understand this?"
Natasha covered her head without speaking. It wasn't that she didn't understand—she just couldn't let go of her pride.
But seeing John and me walking away without looking back, Natasha finally gave in.
"Mom, do I really have to go?"
Seeing Natasha's pitiful look, Willow hardened her heart and said, "You must go, right now!"
I heard footsteps behind me and knew Natasha had caught up. I didn't stop and got straight into the car.
"Knox, Knox!"
With Natasha's calls, the car door opened and she got in.
"Knox, why didn't you wait for me?"
I stepped on the gas and said, "I thought you weren't planning to go."
"How could that be? I was wrong just now. I've thought it through now. I can't be so selfish. I need to go with you guys."
It was best that she thought this way. I immediately took her and John to the Lockwood Group.
"Ms. Lockwood asked you to go up."
The receptionist gestured for us to proceed. Natasha huffed, "Now she's putting on airs, not even coming down to greet us herself. Really!"
Hearing her words, I frowned. "We're here to apologize today. Please lower your attitude. If you keep acting like this, don't bother going up."
"What are you doing!"
Natasha complained to John in dissatisfaction, "Dad, look at Knox, he's just bullying me!"
"Knox is right. At a time like this, you need to rein in that selfish temper of yours."
John said coldly, "When we see Helena later, don't say anything unnecessary, just apologize. Even if she says something harsh, pretend you didn't hear it and swallow your pride. You can settle the score later when you get the chance."
Seeing that John was now siding with me and wouldn't back her up, Natasha reluctantly agreed.
I knew very well that in John and Willow's eyes, Natasha was just a pawn to pave the way for Ivan, not really that important.
If it weren't for the fact that John could help me out, I'd really want to call off this engagement.
But even if I don't break off the engagement this time, I'll have to collect some interest later.
I was calculating in my mind, and before I could figure out what interest to collect, the elevator arrived.
Someone came up to greet us outside the elevator. I recognized him as York, an ordinary employee of the Lockwood Group.
He smiled at us and said, "Mr. Pemberton, Mr. Lockwood, Ms. Lockwood is waiting for you in her office."
He gestured for us to proceed. We walked toward Helena's office, and when we entered, we discovered Atlas was there too.
Seeing Atlas, my expression darkened. Why was he here too? Did Helena deliberately call him here to watch me make a fool of myself?
I said with a cold face, "Helena, we came today to discuss company matters with you. Please ask unrelated people to leave first."
"Unrelated people?"
Helena's gaze fell on Atlas. "I don't need to introduce him again, do I? Atlas is my boyfriend, so just say what you need to say. He's not an outsider."
These words were like an invisible slap across my face.
I was furious and about to argue further when John quickly spoke up, "Helena, when will you bring Mr. Lancaster home for a visit? You two have been dating for so long, it's time to meet the family."
Hearing this, I knew John was playing the emotional card.
Sure enough, John continued, "If your grandmother saw that you found such an excellent boyfriend, she'd be very happy."
"You're right."
Helena glanced at me and smiled, "Atlas is the boyfriend I carefully selected. Naturally, no one can compare. Don't you agree, Knox?"
She was clearly trying to provoke me on purpose, and she succeeded in making me angry.
My face darkened and I clenched my teeth, but Helena clearly didn't want to let me off. She smiled at me sweetly, "Knox, why aren't you saying anything? Others might not know how excellent Atlas is, but you should know perfectly well."
"Is this fun for you?"
Hearing my words, Helena smiled, "It's fun, very fun!"
She pointed at me with a grin, "Those entertainment media always like to compare you with Atlas, but in my opinion, you're not even qualified to be compared with Atlas!"
"Helena, you're exaggerating. There's one thing about Mr. Pemberton that I can't match."
Atlas spoke up, "That's his ability to get girlfriends. When it comes to that, Mr. Pemberton's ability is unmatched!"
After he finished, the two of them burst into laughter.
"You're going too far!"
Before I could speak, Natasha beside me couldn't hold back anymore and shouted.
"Helena, you two are going too far! No matter what, Knox is my fiancé now. You two are openly humiliating him like this—do you have any respect for me at all?"
"Sorry, I really don't!"
Helena's cold voice rang out, "Natasha, I've given you many chances, but you've provoked me time and again. I haven't even come to your door about the press conference incident, and here you are. Well, since you're here, speak up—what do you want to do?"