Chapter 513 Threat
Emelie kept her gaze fixed on the television, ignoring William as he left the room.
Once William was outside, his expression turned glum.
He asked Ashton in a low, stern voice, “Has someone informed my father about me taking Emelie to the company today?”
Otherwise, Henry wouldn’t be so eager to see him.
Ashton replied softly, “It should be Vanessa.”
The Middleton Residence was shrouded in darkness that night. It was only when William’s car entered the residence that it cast a faint light in the gloom.
The servant hurried to open the car door.
William got out and asked, “Why are the lights off?”
The servant replied, “It was Mrs. Middleton’s request. Mr. Middleton Senior has been having trouble sleeping at night. It might be due to the brightness, so she ordered the lights turned off.”
Henry was no longer like before where he would either berate or slam the table every time he met William.
Ever since he had learned that Emelie was from the Pierce family, his condition had deteriorated from having an elevated blood pressure and nightmares to being completely bedridden in just half a month. He was barely able to speak coherently.
William approached Henry’s bedside and said, “Dad.”
Henry mumbled, “The account book… The account book…”
William said, “Mrs. Hoven is no longer conscious. No one knows the whereabouts of the account book. Similarly, no one can retrieve the account book or revisit the old cases from that period.”
Henry shook his head stiffly. “Emelie…”
“Emelie has never seen the account book, nor would she delve into the old records. She is my wife now, and she is carrying my child. She is on my side,” William said.
Henry continued to shake his head. “I don’t believe it…”
William said calmly, “Haven’t you known how much she adores me? If not, why did you push so hard for us to be together?”
“I don’t believe it…” Henry repeated his disbelief.
He didn’t believe that the account book wouldn’t resurface or that Emelie would suppress the deep–seated grudge of her family’s ruin. He only trusted in the destruction of the account book and the elimination of future threats.
Henry struggled to grasp William’s hand, insisting that he handle the matter thoroughly.
William gently placed his father’s hand back under the blanket. “It’s already the end of March. It’ll be inconvenient to hold the wedding in April since it’s the rainy season in Capebatt City, so we plan to hold it in May. Your priority now is to recover so you can officiate the ceremony.”
Henry’s eyes widened. “She… She’s from the Pierce family…”
William replied, “She is a Hoven, not a Pierce.”
Henry opened his mouth, but his exhaustion made it difficult for him to produce any sound. He leaned back wearily against the headboard.
Despite his lack of emotional attachment to Henry, William frowned at the sight of his father’s deteriorating state.
He finally said, “As long as I’m here, Cloudex Corporation will remain intact. I assure you, while you’re alive, you will see Xander defeated.”
Perhaps it was these words that finally gave Henry some semblance of relief. He closed his eyes while breathing heavily.
William adjusted his father’s blanket and left the room.
In the hallway, he encountered Vanessa, who was carrying a tea tray.
She said to William with concern, “Will, I’m sorry for all the trouble. You’re so busy with work and yet you still have to come home frequently. Unfortunately, this is your father’s
condition.
“We’ve consulted with several psychologists with no effect. The doctors say he has been worrying too much. We’ve even contacted Dr. Stephen from abroad for a consultation.”
William said coldly, “The less you mention outside matters to him, the better he will be.”
Vanessa quickly said, “It’s not me who said it. You’ve misunderstood, Will. Your father is still the chairman of Cloudex Corporation, and he has people in the company. They were the ones who told him.”
“I know better than you who my father has in the company and whether they would tell him about these matters,” William said.
Vanessa tried to defend herself. “I…”
William suddenly called her by her full name. “Vanessa Rowe.”
Vanessa froze. She clutched the tray tightly and remained silent.
William looked at her coldly. “If you keep playing these games behind my back, your daughter Xenia might never see your granddaughter Lena’s first birthday.”
Whether it was to take Xenia’s life or Lena’s life, his threat has clearly struck Vanessa with fear. William’s seemingly aloof but ruthless demeanor made it clear that he wasn’t making empty threats.
Vanessa’s face went pale, and her expression froze for a while.
William didn’t want to waste anymore time. He brushed past her and headed downstairs.
Just then, Vanessa softly said, “Sometimes, I feel exhausted. No matter what I do, it never seems to be enough for you. After all these years, I still don’t know how to be a good
stepmother”
She looked up, and her usually gentle demeanor turned sharp for the first time.
Chapter 513 Threat
She said, “If I’m destined to be a bad stepmother, then I can only strive to be a good mother. If you dare to harm even a single strand of my daughter or granddaughter’s hair, Will, you might have to find yourself a new wife.”
The moment she finished her sentence, William suddenly turned and grasped her by the throat.
