CHAPTER 270

"Do you still have no idea what you've done wrong when it has already come to this?" Belle looked plaintively at her son. "Brian, do you still remember who supported you financially when you attended high school?"

Discomfort laced Brian's face as he stumped at Belle's words. "Mom, you must be tired from all the traveling. Come, I'll take you home. We'll talk when we go back."

"Why should we do that?" Belle looked calmly at him. "Is it because we shouldn't wash our dirty linen in public?"

"Mom, that's not what I meant," said Brian awkwardly. "I'm just worried that you're exhausted, so I want to take you home for a rest…"

"Pfft…" Belle sneered. "If you're really such a loving son, Alex and I wouldn't be uninvited into your house."

"H-How is that possible?!" The news shocked Brian.

"How is it not possible?" Belle retorted. "Why would I come here if I couldn't go into your house? When Alex and I showed up at your place, the nanny stood at the door and claimed that your wife hates noise and mess. I'm old and disgusting, so I'm not allowed to step into your home, Brian!"

"N-No, that's impossible!" Brian shook his head, perturbed. "There must be a misunderstanding, Mom! I —"

"What misunderstanding is that?" Belle cut him off. "Are you saying that I'm talking nonsense and

deliberately coming all the way here to accuse your wife and the nanny of something that never happened?"

Brian's anxious face turned pale while sweat gathered on his forehead. "Mom, that's not what I meant!"

"What do you mean, then?" Belle sneered disdainfully. "Brian, I've only ever seen Rachael once in the six years you've married her, but I've never even seen my two grandchildren once! Tell me, what exactly do you mean?"

Shocked, Mack looked pale-faced with utter incredulity at Brian, causing the latter to flush crimson, wanting nothing more than to dig himself a hole to hide in. "Mom, it's not that Rachael and the kids don't want to visit you. The journey to our home is too long. Rachael and the kids have health issues that don't allow them to travel long distances."

"What about you, then?" Belle bore into him. "You only visited me once after marrying Rachael, and that was when I forced you to take Alex to Dusktown. Rachael and your two kids have health issues, but what about you? Do you have health issues that prevent you from traveling long distances as well?"

"I…" Brian stuttered, feeling ashamed. "I'm sorry, Mom… I'm sorry. I-I've been really busy… with work. Rachael and the kids are in bad shape, and they need me to care for them… I really didn't mean to not visit. I'm sorry, Mom. I'm really sorry. I promise I'll change, and I'll visit you all the time… No, Mom, don't go back anymore. Stay here, and I'll take care of you!"

"Huh, you? Take care of me?" Belle looked at him with disdain. "I should really thank the heavens for giving me two sons. As incapable as Aaron is, at least he's a dutiful son. If you were my only child, it'll

probably be ages before you realize I'm dead!"

"Mom…" Sweat dripped profusely from Brian's forehead as he went weak at the knees.

He was so flustered that he couldn't think straight. exclusive content.

His mother said everything calmly just now; she didn't shout or rant emotionally. However, the more she behaved so, the more apprehensive he got, for this meant that she hadn't said all of this in spite but actually thought so.

He couldn't believe his mother, who used to love him dearly, would look disdainfully at him now. She was looking at him as though she was looking at a piece of trash. Who'd have thought his mother already despised him so deeply by the time he realized it?

For a moment, he couldn't say anything but continuously reiterated how sorry he was and that he would change, begging his mother for another chance.

"Forget it. You're already stuck in your ways," Belle said plainly. "You wouldn't have even done all of that if you really had a heart. You're only sweet talking because your boss is sitting here, and you're forced to put on a show. I swear your true colors will show once Alex and I go home. Heartless people like you cannot be depended on. I already realized it when Alex returned to me in skins and bones."

"Mom…" Brian looked at his mother with incredulity.

He couldn't believe his mother was slicing him bit by bit with words as sharp as daggers. His mother actually said he was stuck in his ways; she called him heartless and that he would only put on a show. What would be left of his dignity when his mother reprimanded him like that in front of his boss?

"That's it. I'm done talking to you." Belle waved her hand in exhaustion and pulled a piece of paper from her shirt pocket, handing it to Mack. "Mr. Graham, please take a look. This is the statement I've gotten from the bank. It clearly states all the money Brian and his wife transferred to Alex and me over the years, not a penny less. It's all in here."

"I… I shouldn't." Mack felt somewhat awkward.

"Why shouldn't you?" Belle stood up and looked at Mack, saying, "Mr. Graham, you don't want to get involved in my family's issue, don't you? However, I'm an old woman from the country, and I've never gotten much education, so I don't know any profound principles. What I do know is that if anyone has a problem, they should go to their leaders. Mr. Graham, you're my son's boss. Are you the leader I should talk to? If not, can you kindly point me in the right direction? I'll look for the person myself."

Mack fell silent at that. It was true that he didn't want to get himself involved in his employee's family affairs, but rightfully speaking, he had an obligation to interfere. Since the elderly woman had already put it this way, it wouldn't be right if he continued to keep himself out of the situation.

Moreover, if Belle exacerbated the issue, his entire research institute would also be disgraced. Wouldn't it be better if he mediated and let Belle forgive Brian, alleviating the issue in the process?

Thus, he took the pieces of paper from her while nodding. "Alright, I'll take a look at them for you, Mrs. Carter."

After unfolding the papers and scanning through them, Mack's countenance turned awful. Belle had indeed handed him a bank account statement from the last six years.

"Take a look for yourself!" He shoved the papers at Brian after looking through them all.

Mack looked beyond grim. He could be considered Brian's mentor, for he was the one who had promoted Brian to his position today. Naturally, he wasn't pleased when Brian was a part of a disgraceful act. If he wasn't witnessing it for himself, he wouldn't have been able to believe his most promising junior was… so heartless!

It was obvious to Brian how displeased Mack was after seeing the papers, causing a strong sense of foreboding to surge within him. At that, he flipped through the papers with shaking hands.

After looking through it all, his head spun, and he looked at his mother with disbelief. "T-This… This is impossible…" he stuttered.