?


    Jane smiled and praised, "You''re such a good boy, Wil. Come here-Mommy wants to tell you something."


    Hesitant but trusting, Wilhelm slowly moved closer to her.


    The moment he was within reach, Jane grabbed his cor, her expression dark and menacing. "When I called you earlier, why didn''t youe immediately?"


    Terrified, Wilhelm turned pale, tears brimming in his eyes. "Mommy... I was scared..."


    "Scared of what?" Jane demanded.


    "Scared you''d hit me... Waaaah..." Wilhelm cried.


    When Wilhelm had been staying with Gabriel, he''d worried he''d never see his mother again.


    But now, seeing her up close, she seemed frightening-nothing like the gentle mother he used to know.


    Jane''s patience snapped at the sound of his crying. "Shut up! If you keep crying, I''ll throw you out!"


    Wilhelm immediately mmed up, though he couldn''t stop the little hups that followed. His face was streaked with tears, making him look pitiful. Just then, the door to the room opened, and Wendy walked in carrying some medicine.


    Seeing Jane gripping Wilhelm with such fury, Wendy quickly stepped in and pulled the boy away. Her frown deepened as she noticed Wilhelm''s pale face and hesitant, silent tears.


    "Ms. Wilkie, what''s the point of this? No matter how things go with Mr. Hackett, Wilhelm is still your son. If you and Mr. Hackett divorce, he''ll be your only hope. If you don''t treat him well now, don''t expect him to be filialter," Wendy reminded her.


    Jane let out a derisiveugh. "Hope? I can''t even rely on Gabriel. You think I''m going to rely on a kid?"


    "Ms. Wilkie, no matter how you feel, Wilhelm is still your flesh and blood. If you don''t care for him, who will?" Wendy pressed.


    Jane''s face twisted with bitterness. "Care for him? And who''s going to care for me?"


    Seeing that her words weren''t getting through, Wendy sighed wearily and dropped the subject.


    She tidied up the room and was about to take Wilhelm back to the vi when he refused to leave. "I want to stay with Mommy," he said firmly.


    Wendy''s heart ached as she looked at Wilhelm-clearly frightened but still unwilling to leave his mother. A child''s love for their parents truly was unconditional.


    "Alright, then I''ll stay with you both," Wendy replied.


    Wilhelm nodded vigorously. "Okay!"


    That evening, Pedro was reviewing some documents in his study when the butler entered to announce a visit from Gabriel.


    Pedro froze for a moment, then his face darkened. "He''s got the nerve to show up?"


    Remembering how Gabriel had


    spent five years ingratiating himself


    with the


    $1.96


    Wilkies, only to betray them


    and nearly destroy the Wilkie Group, Pedro felt his anger rise.


    "He says he has a business proposal for you. Should I let him in?" the butler asked.


    A business proposal?


    Pedro sneered. "Bring him to the study."


    He wanted to see just what Gabriel had to say.


    Soon, Gabriel was led into the room.


    "Grandpa," he greeted.


    "Don''t call me that. I''m not your grandfather," Pedro said coldly.


    Gabriel remained unfazed. With a faint smile, he walked over and sat opposite Pedro.


    "Grandpa, there''s no need to be


    here today to discuss et very lucrative business opportunity,"


    Gabriel remarked. Content belongs


    Pedro shot back, "I wouldn''t dare do business with you. Who knows when you might stab me in the back again?"