Chapter 35 I Don't Want the Stuff Anymore
"Too sweet, doesn't taste good."
Watching Rosalind completely ignore my gesture, Willow laughed smugly.
"Helena, your grandma doesn't like sweet things. Remember that next time you buy something."
I nodded, "Okay, got it."
"Alright, the food's ready. Let's eat and talk."
Rosalind stood up as she spoke. Willow quickly moved to help her, but Rosalind waved her off and reached out to Henry instead.
Henry quickly stood up. As they walked, Rosalind said, "Henry, Ivan's coming back soon. He's always loved studying mechanical equipment. When he gets back, let him work at your company, will you?"
Hearing this, Henry casually asked, "Ivan's coming back? When?"
"End of the year."
Henry nodded, "That's only a few months away. What does he think? He's finally coming back—won't he join John's company?"
Rosalind waved her hand dismissively. "John's company can barely take care of itself, let alone support a whole family. Your company's doing well, so let Ivan get some experience there. He can help you out in the future."
Seeing that Rosalind was determined to get Ivan into the Lockwood Group, Henry frowned slightly but went along with her. "Alright, when Ivan gets back, I'll ask what he thinks."
"Good. I knew you've always cared about Ivan."
Rosalind was very satisfied with Henry's answer.
What used to be secret scheming was now out in the open. This meal suddenly lost all its flavor for me.
After we finished eating, Rosalind finally looked at Henry. "Henry, there's something I need to know if you're aware of."
"Mom, go ahead."
Rosalind glanced at me. "Helena says Natasha took her things and sold them, and now she wants them back. Do you know about this?"
"This happened?"
Henry looked at Maria with some surprise. Seeing Maria nod slightly, he asked, "Does Helena have proof?"
"Of course I do."
My expression didn't change, but my heart went cold. Just as I suspected—Natasha must have run crying to Rosalind.
Hearing my words, Rosalind's expression turned cold.
"Helena, Natasha is your cousin. We're family. Talking about proof—won't that make outsiders laugh at us?"
As soon as Rosalind said this, a smug look appeared on Willow's face.
I'd already guessed this dinner had bad intentions, but I didn't expect them to have this whole act waiting for me.
My expression grew colder. "Grandma, I've never seen family treat me like this. Taking my things and selling them without a word—is that what family does?"
"You brat! What are you trying to say? Are you challenging me?"
Rosalind pounded the table angrily, her face ugly.
Watching her get angry, I felt bad about the necklace I'd given her last time.
I'd forgotten—Rosalind has always favored John and his family. This favoritism wasn't going to change overnight.
What a waste of my necklace. It was worth quite a bit of money.
After Rosalind scolded me and saw I still wasn't backing down, she lost her patience and turned angrily to Henry. "Henry, Helena is your child. What are you going to do about this?"
Maria looked at Henry with some worry. I knew what she was worried about.
Henry had always been dutiful and obedient to Rosalind. No matter how unreasonable John and his family were, Henry never said a harsh word and even quietly helped them out.
Everyone's eyes fell on Henry. He calmly glanced at me and said, "Helena's grown up now and has her own ideas. This is between the kids. Let them handle it themselves."
Hearing this, Willow nearly exploded.
"Henry, what do you mean by that? Isn't Helena your daughter? Are you just going to let her make such a mess?"
Henry frowned and explained, "Willow, that's not right. Helena is my daughter, but kids grow up and have their own thoughts. I—"
"What nonsense thoughts! She's clearly bullying people. Henry, you're using your money and power to let Helena hurt Natasha, aren't you?"
Willow turned to John and yelled, "John, are you blind? Your daughter's being bullied like this and you don't see it?"
After her outburst, John looked uncomfortable, rubbing his hands and looking at Henry. "Henry, you know kids bicker all the time. Why don't we just let it go?"
"Let it go? That's easy for you to say, Uncle John."
I knew Henry valued family ties. If John spoke up, Henry couldn't refuse. I might as well be the bad guy myself.
I spoke directly. "Uncle John, what Natasha took from me is worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Hundreds of millions! I'm not even pursuing anything else—I just want my things back. Why is that so hard?"
"Helena, you're going too far!"
Natasha cried to Rosalind, "Grandma, Helena's lying. Those few broken things I took aren't worth hundreds of millions. Grandma, Helena's trying to destroy me!"
"If this continues, I won't live anymore!"
Seeing Natasha crying, Rosalind's face darkened. "Helena, apologize to Natasha right now, and this ends here!"
"I refuse!"
Seeing my cold expression, Rosalind became furious.
Her finger trembled as she pointed at me. "Rebellious! So rebellious! You won't even listen to your elders!"
"Henry! Look at what your precious daughter has done!"
"Mother, Helena is in the wrong here."
The moment Henry spoke, the room fell dead silent.
Willow and Helena looked absolutely triumphant, while I stared at Henry in shock: "Dad..."
Henry raised his hand to stop me, glancing my way before addressing Helena: "Helena, today you're going to learn something. Pay attention."
He stood up, towering over us all: "Helena's first mistake was putting those items in Natasha's hands."
"Her second mistake was trying to use family sentiment to fix this mess when she knew perfectly well what the situation was."
After Henry finished speaking, the room was tomb-quiet.
"Henry, what exactly are you saying? Helena's being ridiculous - are you planning to join her?"
"You know perfectly well who's being ridiculous, Mother. Helena is my daughter. I can compromise on some things, but when it comes to Helena, I won't back down."
"Fine! Just fine!"
Rosalind's sharp gaze swept back and forth between Henry and me: "She's nothing but trouble, and now you're going to defy me too?"
"Think carefully about who's really causing trouble here, Mother."
"If Natasha wants to keep those things, so be it. However, the company's finances are tight right now, so John's funding might be... delayed."
Henry finished speaking, then turned to me: "Come on, let's go home."
"Okay!"
I was still reeling from the shock of what Henry had just said.
Henry had actually stood up to Rosalind to defend me. My heart felt like it was soaking in warm honey - completely overwhelmed with warmth.
"How dare you!"
Behind us came Rosalind's furious voice: "My heart! Oh, my poor heart!"
"Mom, Mom, are you okay?"
Willow rushed over to support Rosalind, shouting loudly.
"Helena, you've made your grandma pass out! Call an ambulance, quick!"
As Willow spoke, John hurriedly pulled out his phone to make the call.
Soon, Rosalind was taken away by ambulance to the hospital.
At the hospital, seeing Rosalind lying there pale-faced, Henry frowned.
Even though I was angry too, I couldn't let Henry get branded as a disrespectful son.
"Dad, maybe we should just let this one go."
I thought Henry would take the out I was giving him, but to my surprise, he shook his head after hearing what I said.
"I can compromise on anything else, but I won't stand for anyone hurting my daughter."
"Go on home now, before your mother starts worrying. I've got this handled."
Seeing that Henry was deliberately trying to get me out of there, I had no choice but to nod and agree.
"Helena, you put your grandma in the hospital—where are you going?"
Willow's shrill voice came from behind me. I quickened my pace and left the hospital without looking back.
I underestimated how much Rosalind would protect John and his family.
I thought after giving Rosalind that necklace last time, even if she favored them, she'd at least think twice. I didn't expect her to go back on it so quickly.
I was too careless!
I hope Henry can resolve this matter smoothly this time and no longer be held back by Rosalind.