Female Novel
Chapter 396
Shouldn't he feel shocked when he hears about his son's existence in the world? Lionel was befuddledby Holden's reaction because the latter appeared unruffled. There wasn't even a hint of surprise in histone when he replied to Lionel.
Lionel questioned, “You have such a son all of a sudden, yet you aren't shocked?”
Holden retracted his gaze and walked toward the couch at the side to sit down before he answeredflatly, “Why should I feel shocked? I once lost my memory, so I've forgotten everything in the past sixyears. This boy looks six or seven-year-old, which means he was born before my memory was lost. Isthat strange for a normal man to sleep with someone and have a child?”
His response left Lionel speechless.
Seeing Holden being so open-minded, Lionel could not help but laugh a little. “You're open-minded. Itseems I've guessed it correctly. Indeed, you've lost your memory. I should tell you something thathappened in the past.”
He paused right then and did not continue, seemingly considering how he should break the matter toHolden. A long moment later, he finally explained the experience he and Wendy had gone through.
Holden's mood finally seemed to change after hearing his words. A glint of surprise flashed across hiseyes.
He was well aware that Lionel's wife was the eldest daughter of the Hoffman family, Wendy, eventhough the outside world had no idea about it.
There was no way Holden could stay calm now that Lionel suddenly told him that Wendy was once hiswoman, and she even gave birth to a son for him.
“I've completely forgotten what happened six years ago. Maybe you're telling the truth, but she's yourwife now. Are you planning to give her back to me?”
“No. She isn't my wife. We aren't married. She doesn't love me, and neither do I. After all, both of ushave the love of our life. Holden, I've already told you about your past. It's up to you whether you wantto get your woman and son back. I have no right to interfere with your decision.”
With that, Lionel stood up and walked toward the door.
Narrowing his eyes, Holden watched him leave. “The grudge between Tarragon and the Hoffman familyhasn't ended for over a century. If I indeed slept with that woman and made her fall in love with me, Imust have used her and abandoned her after I got what I wanted.”
Clang!
The sound of something heavy hitting the floor sounded from the door.
The duo looked up instinctively and saw Wendy standing outside the door in a daze. Her pretty facewas covered in tears, and her phone was on the ground. There were countless cracks on the phonescreen.
“Wends, why are you here?”
Wendy didn't answer Lionel's question and made her way in with a stagger instead. When she passedby Lionel, he grabbed her arm.
“Wends, let's head back first.”
“No.” Wendy abruptly brushed his hand off and walked toward Holden. Without hesitation, she raisedher hand to slap him.
A loud slap echoed through the space.
Logically, Holden could have avoided that slap. With his speed and capabilities, no one in the worldcould hit him in the face.
However, it was as though he was in a trance because he only watched her hand getting closer to himand eventually landing on his face.
Just then, a series of rapid footsteps rang from the door. A few bodyguards in black equipped with gunsdashed through the door and pointed the guns at Lionel and Wendy.
Lionel's gaze turned cold, and he immediately raised his guard.
Meanwhile, Wendy grabbed Holden's collar without a care in the world before she roared, “Is this yourexplanation to me? I was pregnant before I got married and turned my family away for you. I gave upon power and status and almost gave my father a heart attack by making him mad. I caused a big stirin my family. Moreover, my child was called an illegitimate child. It's all because of you! Alas, all I gotwas your callous remarks in the end. Holden, I must have been blind to have given up on everything foryou.”
As she trailed off, she began to burst into tears. She went weak at the knees and slumped to theground.
On the other hand, Holden remained seated on the couch as he stared coldly at her, who was sitting onthe ground beside him. There were no changes in his emotions. It was as if her accusations hadnothing to do with him.
In reality, he had no recollection of her at all.
To him, she was merely a stranger.
Wendy couldn't stand his nonchalant gaze and felt an excruciating pain coming from her heart, causingher to curl into a ball.
Instantly, Lionel walked toward her to carry her before he said in his hoarse voice, “I'm sorry. Perhaps Iwas wrong. I shouldn't have let you gather your courage to face him again. And I shouldn't have methim and allowed him to hurt you once more.” novelbin
Wendy buried her face into his chest and bawled her eyes out.
Lionel looked at Holden icily and uttered solemnly, “Since you're so heartless, I have nothing to say toyou. What Wends said is true. She has been blind to falling in love with you and giving up everythingfor you. As you've made yourself clear, let's settle things once and for all. From now on, she and herson have nothing to do with you anymore.”
At that, he held Wendy in his arms and turned to leave.
After taking two steps, Wendy poked her head out of his embrace and stretched her neck to look atHolden, who was behind them. “People from the Hoffman family kidnapped Sebastian. They'll surelyskin Sebastian alive if they know he is your son. If you still have some kindness left in you, you shouldfulfill your responsibility as a father and save your child.”
Holden frowned at her words, and his gaze landed on the coffee table. Complex emotions churnedwithin him as the photo of Sebastian came into sight. Honestly, I have no idea why I approached theeldest daughter of the Hoffman family six years ago. Why did I abandon her in the end? Did I exploither or fall in love with her? I can't even recall any of these. I wonder what happened in the past sixyears. I should probably look into it, or I can ask... Shannon.
...
At Shurmer Group's branch company, Zeke was working through the documents while leaning back onthe swivel chair.
The door to his office was pushed open, and Juliana barged in through the door.
The secretary, who followed behind her, uttered anxiously, “Mr. Shurmer, I'm sorry. I can't stop her.”
Zeke furrowed his brows and waved his hand before replying, “You may leave now.”
With that, the secretary scurried out of the office.
Juliana strode toward the desk before she slammed her palm on the desk. “Zeke, are you not willing tomarry me?” she queried through clenched teeth.
Zeke held his head. “I've already answered this question numerous times. Even if you keep asking methe same question, I'll never change my answer. I won't marry you.”
When Juliana heard that, she let out a soft chuckle. A dark look flashed across her eyes before shereplied bitterly, “Fine. It's just my one-sided feeling. I promise you this will be the last time I'm askingyou this question because my family sent someone, and I'll follow the elder to return to Adrune a fewdays later. Zeke, I'm telling you one more time. I really like you a lot, and I'm not being frivolous andwillful like I was at the peak of my youth. Bear in mind that a girl from the Hoffman family namedJuliana will continue to like you until the end of her life.”
Narrowing his eyes, Zeke lifted his gaze to her. He sighed, “You don't have to do this. I...”
Before he could finish his sentence, Juliana raised her hand and stopped him. “I have one finalquestion. Do you love Shirley?”