The Bride They Replaced Came Back Richer Chapter 04

The Bride They Replaced Came Back Richer Chapter 04

More than twenty years had passed.

Yet the way my mother looked at me was still just as cold.

After entering, she first looked around my home.

Then she gave a humorless laugh.

“So you nursed this grudge for twenty years.”

“Ms. Whitaker, say what you came to say.”

My mother looked at me.

“You waited twenty years for today, didn’t you?”

I frowned.

She stepped forward.

“Claire, you’re my daughter.”

“I know you hate me.”

After saying that, she stood right in front of me.

Then she dropped straight to her knees.

I stared at her in shock.

“Mother?”

“If it will make you feel better, I’ll beg you for forgiveness.”

“Cece.”

She looked at me.

“I still prefer the name I gave you.”

The hand I had started to reach out froze in midair.

Her gaze locked onto mine.

“What happened back then was my choice alone.”

“I won’t regret it. But I will take responsibility.”

“I apologize to you.”

I looked at her with a bitter smile.

“For Serena, you’re willing to go this far.”

“Yes.”

I slowly withdrew my hand.

“Mother, there’s one question I’ve never understood.”

“Can you answer it?”

“What is it?”

“You’re an internationally known philanthropist. You’ve helped so many poor children.”

My voice trembled slightly.

“Why were you never willing to treat me right?”

My mother froze.

I looked at her with red eyes.

“I even secretly did a DNA test.”

“I am your child too, aren’t I?”

My mother lowered her head.

“Mother, say something.”

“I’m sorry.”

She looked at me, her gaze unbearably firm.

“But I don’t want Serena to be sad.”

I laughed.

She couldn’t bear Serena’s sadness, so mine didn’t matter?

My smile turned mocking.

“Get up.”

“I won’t forgive any of you.”

“Cece!”

I said nothing.

“Claire…”

Her voice was almost pleading.

I stood by the window.

“Show her out.”

She looked at me with red eyes.

Her sorrow gradually turned bitter.

Then it became resentment.

Even hatred.

She slammed the door behind her.

I stood by the window and watched her leave.

Then I gave my order.

“Arrange a private matchmaking reception for Oliver. Regardless of family net worth, any woman with a good reputation and an age appropriate for Oliver may attend.”

“Except Isla Ashford.”

“Yes, Chairwoman Whitaker.”

The private matchmaking reception was arranged quickly.

Oliver was impeccably dressed.

“Do you resent me for arranging something that looks like a matchmaking event?”

“No.”

Oliver looked at the young women in the room.

“I’ve always remembered that you raised me by yourself.”

“I should make some contribution to the Whitaker family too.”

I smiled.

“If there’s someone you like, it doesn’t matter if her net worth isn’t impressive.”

Oliver looked at me.

“As long as I like her?”

“Yes.”

“Really?”

“Of course. Even if she isn’t here today, you can still choose her.”

“In that case.”

Oliver stood.

He lifted his hand.

He swung his arm and knocked over the champagne tower, nearly twice as tall as a person.

Glasses shattered across the floor.

The young women in the room screamed and backed away in panic.

The champagne also splashed all over me.

I lifted my head.

Oliver was gripping the hand of Isla Ashford, who had just come through the door.

“Sorry, Mother. I know you don’t like Isla.”

“But I’m going to marry her.”