Chapter 166: Let's Apologize Together
"Helena, why are you still holding a grudge against Natasha? She was confused that day. I already scolded her when we got back. She's here today to apologize to you!"
John said, pulling Natasha over. "Hurry up and apologize to Helena. There's no deep hatred between family members. Just clear up this little thing and it'll be fine."
"Hurry up and apologize!"
John pushed Natasha again as he spoke.
Natasha's lips moved but she couldn't get a word out. Seeing this, I had no choice but to speak up reluctantly, "Helena, Natasha really is here today to apologize about the press conference."
Before I could finish, Helena raised her hand directly to cut me off. "Knox, we're not that close. Please call me Ms. Lockwood, thank you."
"As for you, are you really here to apologize?"
Seeing her gaze turn toward her, Natasha finally spoke.
"Yes, I'm here to apologize. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have talked nonsense at the press conference. It was my fault. Please forgive me, okay? Is that good enough?"
Unexpectedly, after hearing this, Helena said seriously, "Natasha, you're not wrong. I'm the one who's wrong."
Everyone in the room froze, not understanding what she meant.
But soon, we understood why Helena said that.
"I was wrong to keep indulging you, letting you use me again and again!"
As she spoke, her gaze swept past Natasha and landed on me. "From now on, whether it's you or the person you like, I won't let either of you off!"
Hearing her words, I shivered. Helena and I had been together for many years, and I knew her temper.
Helena usually seemed easy to talk to, but when she got stubborn, she was extremely obstinate.
If she said this, she must have already made up her mind. Natasha's actions had truly angered her.
My gaze fell on Natasha. This incompetent woman was truly stupid!
Hearing this, Natasha shouted furiously, "I've already apologized, Helena. What more do you want?"
"Exactly, Helena."
John on the side tried to ease the atmosphere. "How can you say that? Natasha was wrong, but she's already apologized to you. You can't hold a grudge forever, right?"
"She did apologize, but that doesn't mean I have to forgive her just because she apologized, right?"
Helena said coldly to John, "You are you, she is she. My break with Natasha doesn't mean a break with you. This matter has nothing to do with you. It's between me and Natasha. Please don't take it personally."
After Helena finished speaking, her gaze fell on me again. "Knox, what are you here for? Don't tell me you're also here to apologize with Natasha?"
"Helena, don't drag other people into this. I haven't offended you. I'm here today to talk about the loan."
Seeing me mention the loan, Helena stretched out her hand toward me. "Oh, you're here to pay back the money? Then pay it back."
Seeing her hand stretched right under my nose, I said coldly in anger, "I don't have it."
"Then what are you here for?"
Helena crossed her arms. "Knox, I made it very clear a few days ago. Either pay back the money or use equity as collateral. It's been so many days now, you should be ready, right?"
Seeing her string of aggressive remarks, I suddenly felt very awkward.
In my memory, Helena always had a smiling, easygoing appearance. When did she become so harsh?
It must be because she's with Atlas that she's become like this.
I glared at Atlas somewhat resentfully. This bastard not only took Helena away but also encouraged her to be so heartless toward me. I definitely won't let him off!
"Ms. Lockwood, you know my company's situation. I really can't come up with that much money all at once. I'm here today to ask you to give me more time. How does that sound?"
As I spoke, I gritted my teeth. "I'll have the finance department calculate the interest for this period first. As for the money, starting next year, I can pay back a portion each month. Is that okay?"
"Knox, are you playing word games with me?"
I didn't expect Helena to flatly refuse my proposal.
"What you owe me is not a small amount. Last time I gave you a one-month deadline. Now the month is up, just these two days. If you don't pay back the money, then wait for the court summons!"
Helena turned her back and said coldly, "York, show them out."
"Yes, Ms. Lockwood!"
York outside the office pushed the door open and made a gesture of invitation toward us. "Please, everyone."
I turned and left resentfully. John behind me wanted to persuade her a few more times, but seeing that Helena didn't turn her head at all, he could only sheepishly pull Natasha along and leave the office with me.
Back in the car, the air was thick with tension. The three of us, all frustrated, had angry looks on our faces.
Natasha on the side couldn't help but shout, "Dad, you have to think of a way. Look how arrogant that Helena is. Not only does she have no respect for us, she even brazenly says she won't let me off. If you don't think of something, I'm going to be ruined by her!"
"What death or ruin? We're not at that point yet."
John waved his hand and sighed. "But Helena being so aggressive now is indeed difficult to handle."
He shook his head. "Alright, I know what to do. Take me home first."
The car soon drove back to John's house. After John got out, Natasha still sat there without moving. I glanced at her. "Aren't you getting out?"
"Knox, I want to keep you company. We haven't been together for several days. Please don't send me away, okay?"
As she spoke, she deliberately rubbed her protruding chest back and forth on my arm.
But having been frustrated by Helena, I had no interest in anything else. I reached out and roughly squeezed her chest a few times.
"Get out first. I'm going to see my father. This Helena matter is not a small thing. I need to discuss a strategy with my father. After you go back, coax your dad properly and get him to come up with a solution. We can't keep being passive and let Helena take the initiative."
Hearing my words, Natasha finally let go, pouting with dissatisfaction. "Alright then, but remember to miss me."
"I will, I will."
I said, taking the opportunity to pinch her thigh again, then helped her open the car door. "Alright, go back first. I'll call you when I'm done."
"Okay."
Natasha kissed my face before unbuckling her seatbelt and preparing to get out.
Just as she was about to leave, she turned back and cupped my face with both hands. "Knox, you're not allowed to mess around with those women. If I find out again, I definitely won't let you off, and I won't let those women off either!"