Chapter 99: Apologizing in Person
"Honey, how can we just turn them away like that? They're already here. Why don't we at least hear what they have to say?"
Seeing this, Henry stood up and said anxiously.
Maria frowned, "The wedding just ended, and we're still angry. How can we let them in so easily? No, absolutely not. They're not allowed in today!"
It was rare for Maria to be so assertive. Seeing this, Henry didn't dare say much more and just waved his hand, telling Peter to leave.
After Peter left, Henry sighed, "After all, they're family. We can't make the situation too tense."
"You're right, but if we forgive them so easily, what happens if something like this occurs again?"
Henry said helplessly, "What else could happen? This incident has already brought complete disgrace to Natasha, and Mom was so upset she's in the hospital. They've already learned their lesson the hard way."
"So you mean we should just forgive them?"
Maria turned around and looked at Henry with clear dissatisfaction.
Henry quickly shook his head, "I'm not saying we should forgive them, but rather that we should let this matter settle down."
"You want to settle it, but when Natasha and Knox were having their affair, did they ever think this day would come? Did she feel any guilt at all?"
Seeing that Maria kept pressing the issue, Henry finally gave up. He waved his hand, "Fine, fine, I get it. Do whatever you want then."
Maria had finally won this round against Henry, and naturally, she was beaming with joy. She took my hand and said, "Come on, Helena, let's not worry about others. Let them do whatever they please. Come downstairs with me for dinner."
"Okay."
I held Maria's hand and obediently went downstairs.
The dining table was full of dishes I loved, and Maria kept serving me food.
Seeing that she hadn't touched her utensils, I looked up at her and said, "Mom, I kept this from you all along. Aren't you angry with me?"
"Why would I be angry? You did this because you didn't want me to worry."
Maria said while putting more food on my plate, "Besides, you already had a plan. Even if you had told me, I might not have been able to do better than you."
"Rather than telling me, making me unable to help while worrying anyway, it's better not to tell me. That's better for both of us."
Hearing Maria's words, my anxious heart finally settled.
"Thank you, Mom."
I looked up and gave Maria a big smile.
"Alright, eat up."
Then Maria sighed, "I really misjudged Knox. I never thought he'd be so unfaithful. How shameless!"
Maria snorted heavily, "No, we can't just let this go. The Pemberton family must pay a price!"
Seeing Maria angry, I quickly consoled her, "Didn't I already say? About the shares, Mom, don't worry. I won't let the Pemberton family off, but everything needs to be done step by step."
"Alright, you just go ahead and do whatever you think is right. Your dad and I will always support you."
Then Maria explained, "Don't look at how your dad seems to defend others, but in his heart, he's always been very worried about you."
"You didn't see your dad's expression at the wedding today when he saw the big screen. Really, I've never seen your dad that angry before."
"Too bad your grandmother happened to be unconscious at that moment, otherwise I feel like your dad would have fought the Pemberton family people to the death!"
She shook her head, "He's just stern with his words, but privately he really cares about you."
"Mom, I know. Don't worry, no matter what Dad says, I won't take it to heart."
I picked up a shrimp and put it in her bowl, "Mom, you eat too."
"Okay."
We had just finished eating when I saw Peter pacing back and forth outside. Seeing this, Maria called Peter in directly, "What's going on?"
Peter frowned, "It's still John's family. They're still waiting outside. Mrs. Lockwood, should we have them driven away?"
"Forget it. If we drive them away again, wouldn't that make us seem too heartless? We've eaten now and have the energy to settle accounts. Let them in."
"Yes."
Peter responded and hurried to invite them in.
As they were speaking, Henry also came down from upstairs.
Seeing Henry, I quickly said, "Uncle John and his family are still outside. Peter has already gone to invite them in."
Henry nodded, "That's fine. The matter needs to be resolved eventually. It's okay to let them in and talk."
As they were speaking, John led his whole family in.
Willow showed no displeasure at all, and her face even carried some cheerfulness.
Looking at Natasha behind her, she looked dejected, but her delicate makeup was unaffected.
The fact that John could appear together with Willow already struck me as very strange.
Seeing these two showing no sign of remorse, my heart jumped. Had they already come up with a countermeasure so quickly?
"Henry."
After everyone was seated, John looked at Henry, shook his head, then looked at me and said, "Helena, Natasha wronged you this time. We came today to apologize!"
I looked up at Natasha and saw that her usually arrogant face showed no expression, calm as if she hadn't done anything wrong.
"There's no need for an apology. On the contrary, I should thank Natasha. If it weren't for Natasha, I wouldn't have discovered that Knox had such behavior."
Hearing my words, John frowned and looked at Natasha with displeasure, "What did you say on the way here? Tell Helena exactly how Knox deceived you."
After John's scolding, Natasha reluctantly spoke, "Helena, this is all my fault. I couldn't resist Knox's temptation and fell for his trick. Please forgive me."
I said, "Things don't happen one-sidedly. Natasha, are you saying all the fault lies with Knox?"
She hesitated, then nodded.
Seeing this, I laughed coldly, "When it comes to things between men and women, if it's not mutual, how could they end up having sex together? Besides, in the video, you looked like you were really enjoying it."
As soon as I said this, Natasha's face changed instantly.
She said through gritted teeth, "Helena, I've already come to apologize. What more do you want?"
"You came to apologize, but that doesn't mean I have to forgive you."
I laughed coldly, "Alright, I've heard your apology. Now, please leave."