Chapter 194 Let’s Get Married Together
Serenity actually dared to say that! At a time like this, what was she trying to achieve? Was she trying to push Natasha over the edge?
Henry already disliked Serenity, and his brows furrowed even more deeply. But before he could speak, John shouted from the side, "Serenity, why are you saying this? Get out of here right now!"
"Just let me finish what I need to say."
As Serenity spoke, tears streaming down her face. Seeing her in tears, John's voice immediately softened.
"Serenity, I didn't mean to yell at you, but look at Natasha right now—she's overwhelmed and can't handle any more stress."
"But I'm not wrong about this."
Serenity said through her tears, "Natasha has never liked me. I'm human too—I can tell who likes me and who doesn't. She doesn't like me, and I feel the same way about her."
"But whether we like each other or not, I'm getting married soon. I'm begging you—in the few months before my wedding, please don't cause trouble or upset Dad, okay? I promise I won't compete with you for anything."
Serenity's defense stood in sharp contrast to John and Natasha's bratty behavior. At this point, not only John, but even I was almost moved by Serenity.
"Did you hear that? Serenity has already said she won't compete with you for anything. What more do you want?"
John frowned and snapped at Natasha, "Get down from there right now!"
"It's exactly this fake victim act of yours that makes Dad favor you, Serenity. Who are you putting on that pitiful expression for?"
Realizing she was about to be scolded again, Natasha grew even angrier.
"No wonder your mom was a homewrecker—look at you, acting just as shamelessly as your mother. I wonder if Antony has seen this side of you. If he has, I don't believe he'd still marry you!"
"Enough, Natasha! What are you saying?"
Serenity's mother was a sensitive subject for John. The two had been forced apart by external pressures, which remained a lingering regret in his heart.
In middle age, at the height of his life, John learned that his former love had passed away, leaving him a child. But now Natasha's words directly insulted the love he kept deep in his heart—something John couldn't tolerate.
"Get down here!"
As expected, John couldn't hold back anymore. He rushed forward and yanked Natasha back down.
Natasha hit the ground with a loud crash, and John looked on coldly without a shred of sympathy.
"Dad, what are you doing?"
Ivan, who had just returned, witnessed the scene. He pushed aside Serenity, who was blocking the doorway, and rushed toward Natasha.
"Natasha, are you okay?"
As Ivan spoke, he noticed a large scrape on Natasha's arm. He looked up at John angrily and demanded, "Dad, what are you doing? Why did you push Natasha?"
"I pushed her?"
John's face darkened with anger. Pointing at Natasha, he said, "Ask her what really happened."
"Natasha, what happened?"
Ivan looked down at Natasha, who was leaning against him.
Natasha covered the wound on her arm and glared angrily at Serenity. "It's all because of you! If it weren't for you, Dad wouldn't treat me like this!"
"I didn't do anything."
Serenity shrank back behind John in fearfully.
Noticing Serenity's movement, John turned to protect her and said, "Don't be afraid. It's okay. I'm here."
Seeing this, Natasha said angrily to Ivan, "You see? Dad doesn't want us anymore. He only favors this homewrecker and has bought her so many things—expensive items I wouldn't even spend money on myself."
"Dad, is that true?"
When Ivan asked, John sighed deeply and said, "Ivan, it's not what Natasha said."
"You know, today was the first time the Turner family came to visit—they came to discuss Serenity's wedding. Oh, I haven't told you yet—Serenity's wedding is set for three months from now. You're all my children, and I love you all, but with Serenity's wedding approaching, I bought her a few things. I've already promised that Natasha and Serenity will receive the same wedding gifts."
"I don't agree!"
Natasha looked at Ivan emotionally and said, "Dad, this is totally unfair! Before Serenity came, everything good in the house belonged to us. Why should she get a share just because she suddenly showed up!"
"Natasha, calm down."
Seeing her upset, Ivan quickly helped her to her feet and guided her to a seat. After having someone clean and bandage her wound, he crouched down, looked at Natasha, and asked, "So what do you want?"
"Serenity's wedding gifts can only be half of mine—they must not exceed mine!"
After hearing this, Ivan looked up at John and asked, "Dad, what do you say?"
To keep the peace, John had to agree. "Fine, I agree. Is that okay now?"
"Alright, Natasha, you see Dad has agreed. It's okay now."
Ivan coaxed her and led her to the guest room next door. Seeing that the storm had passed, our group finally went downstairs.
"What a mess. Henry, what do you think we should do now?"
John continued to sigh. Seeing this, Henry comforted him, "It's okay. You see, Ivan is level-headed—with him around, things won't get out of hand."
"That's true, but I already promised to prepare wedding gifts for Serenity. Even if it's only half, they can't be too modest."
He looked at Henry hesitantly and asked, "Henry, could you lend me some money?"
Since he asked, Henry couldn't refuse. "Money's not a problem. As long as the company is running, I won't let you down. I'll inform the finance department when I get back—starting this month, household expenses will be covered as usual. On top of that, I'll give Natasha and Serenity one million dollars each. Consider it an advance wedding gift from me."
John hadn't expected Henry to be so generous. His face lit up as he said, "Great, great! I'll thank you on their behalf."
"No need to thank me. Just keep them from fighting. After all, they're both engaged—they won't be living under the same roof for much longer anyway."
After Henry finished, I thought about Natasha's wedding and jumped in, "Natasha has been engaged for a while too. If they could get married together, that would be perfect—it would be two weddings in one!"
As soon as I said this, John's eyes brightened. He nodded repeatedly and said, "Helena's right. Once they both get married, there won't be so much drama anymore."
He smiled at Henry and said, "I'll call the Pemberton family later to see what they think. If needed, I might have to ask you to step in."
Henry nodded, "Sure."