Chapter 44: They’re family, isn’t that right?

Chapter 44: They’re family, isn’t that right? [The Young Residence] "That rebel!" Lawrence slammed the bottom of his fist against the dining table. His fist trembled in anger as he gazed at his pitiful daughter and the irritated Jasmine. Melissa sniffed and forced a smile. "Dad, it’s okay—" "How is that okay?" Jasmine scoffed. "Lola was playing dirty — again! How dare she go to your audition and cause trouble for you?" "Ever since she came back, she’s been causing too much trouble," Lawrence grumbled, now reminded of the money he had to shell out just to buy back Loren’s property. "Had it not been for her..." He clenched his teeth and quietly seethed, thinking of how Chairman Lancaster was pressuring him to transfer the lands to Lola as soon as possible! It wouldn’t be much of a problem if only the current owner of those lands weren’t trying to scam him! All of this was because of Lola, and now? She was causing trouble for Melissa as well? "Mom, Dad..." Melissa sighed heavily, trying to hide the sadness in her eyes. When she came home last night, her parents were already asleep. Even so, she had already planted the seeds in Derek, which was why her parents knew about the audition even before she told them. However, that wasn’t the plan. If they find out that Lola is a successful creator... their opinions might slightly change. Melissa glanced at her father and huffed heavily. "Dad, it’s really fine. I’m just glad that Director Sarian still gave me a chance. Don’t worry! I’ll do my best today to make everything worthwhile." "Oh, my poor daughter," Jasmine sighed as she reached out to hold her daughter’s hand. "My dear, I know you can do it." "Hmp! Of course! I invested in this series even without knowing much about it because I know you deserve it." Lawrence nodded. "Besides, the Lancasters and even Summit Partners shelled out a lot of funds for this project." "All because of you. All because we believe in you," Jasmine squeezed Melissa’s hand. "Lisa, don’t worry about Lola. I’ll make sure to put her in her right place later." "Once I get back all of her mother’s properties, she’s out of this family," Lawrence nodded. "She won’t get even a cent from this family!" Hearing all of this, Melissa’s mood lightened up a little. However, it was not enough. After all, this was not her real plan. "Thank you, Mom, Dad," she expressed, almost a bit teary-eyed. "I told Derek not to tell you, so you don’t get worried, but..." "Melissa, we’d rather you tell us about things like this instead of hearing from someone else," Jasmine frowned. "I’m glad that Derek truly cares for you, that he’d tell us about it." But then again, it wasn’t really Derek who called them. It was Jasmine and Lawrence who reached out because they wanted to know about Derek’s meeting with the Summit Partners. Melissa pursed her lips as she smiled, then she carefully spoke. "Mom? Dad?" "Yes, honey?" Jasmine cooed. "Is there something else we need to know?" "Well..." Melissa massaged her neck as she hummed, as if trying to choose her words carefully. "Yesterday, I met... Lola’s kids." The moment those words rolled out of her tongue, silence fell in the room. Seeing how Lawrence’s face darkened, she continued with an innocent tone. "They were very cute too," she smiled and chuckled. "Although Lola didn’t introduce me to them, I also saw the father of her children. I’m not sure if they’re married, but he actually works at Lion Square Hotel." "He works at the Lion Square?" Lawrence furrowed his brows while Jasmine arched a brow. "She married an executive?" "No." Melissa shook her head and smiled subtly. "I think he’s a server there." "That little—" Lawrence felt his chest tighten the second he heard that. Surely, that child was problematic through and through! Had Lola forgotten that she was still a Young?! And she was carrying his family name!? Jasmine, on the other hand, snorted as she rolled her eyes. "Goodness. That child... she’s really hopeless. She got herself pregnant while her father was breaking his back just to support her, and now she’s married to a... server?" "She’s doing this on purpose, is she?" "Dad, I don’t think Lola would do something like that on purpose," Melissa chimed in, trying to calm her parents down. "I think Lola... Lola just fell in love! They say love is blind. So, I want to believe that she has done this because of herself and not because she wants to hurt us." She smacked her lips as she perked up a little. "Mom, Dad, I know this hurts you, but please... give Lola a chance to explain," she whispered. "If not for her, for her kids! For my... nephew and niece—for your grandchildren!" "The Lancasters kept a tight relationship and valued their relationships," she added, smiling. "I want to try again, Mom, Dad." "Melissa." Jasmine frowned, but then, Lawrence spoke. "Melissa, you’ve always tried to fix your relationship with Lola, but she’s always too stubborn! You might get hurt again!" "But that’s been a long time ago," Melissa argued pitifully. "Mom, Dad, please? Let me invite Lola, her kids, and even her husband to my engagement party with Derek." Her request instantly made Lawrence’s face sour. Even Jasmine didn’t think it was a good idea as she eyed her daughter. "Since I’m getting engaged to Derek and the Lancasters have already approved of it, I just think it’s a perfect event to reunite our family!" she intoned enthusiastically. "Besides, if she’s happy, perhaps... she will not ask for her mother’s estates anymore." Hearing this, Lawrence perked up while Jasmine pondered it. "The chairman is already old and his health hasn’t been the best," she added, deliberately mentioning the chairman’s health to insinuate something. "But if he sees that Lola has come back to our family, he’ll put off some pressure on us." Meaning, kicking Lola out of the family wasn’t ideal right now. It was best to keep her around, make her "happy," and then toss her aside once Chairman Lancaster took his last breath. In that case, they didn’t need to give the entire estate to Lola. Problem solved! Lawrence leaned back as he weighed their options, nodding in understanding. "It’s your engagement, Melissa. Invite her if you want, but if you’re not comfortable, then do not bother." "Dad, even if Lola had kids out of wedlock and her husband is a humble man, they’re family," Melissa mused, her eyes drooping as she dawdled, "...isn’t that right?"