Chapter 32 Argument
“Jonathan’s right,” Joseph said. “Just like how Mom and Cameron are enemies, that’s how it’ll be with Angie and Madeline. Angie has been bullying Madeline for years. Once Madeline finds out that Angie took her place as our sister, do you think she can get along with Angie? Do you think she can do that once she knows everything that Angie has is supposed to be hers?”
He answered his own question, “I don’t think I can if I were in her place.”
Michael nodded silently. He shared the same sentiment. Madeline was her real daughter, while Angie was the girl whom he had spoiled for more than two decades. If the paternity test showed that Madeline was his true daughter, then the best case scenario for him and his wife would be Madeline coming back into the fold, and they could still keep Angie around.
They were rich. Even if they had more kids, they could still afford it. The problem was, Angie and Madeline were enemies. Just like what Joseph said, Angie had bullied Madeline for years.
Everyone thought Madeline was Cameron’s daughter back then, and Cameron was an illegitimate child. Even though Madeline was a legit child, since Crystal was Cameron’s nemesis, Angie never did like Madeline ever since Dan took her into the Taylor household. She kept trying to chase Madeline out.
Dan was in his rebellious phase at that time, and going against everyone was what he liked. The more someone didn’t want him to do something, the more he would do that exact thing. Angie wanted to chase Madeline out, but he refused. He even made her cry because of that.
Madeline was supposed to sit with them during meals, but Angie threw a tantrum and splashed a whole bowl of food in her face, chasing her off the table. Ever since then, Madeline never did sit with them for meals anymore. On top of that, ever since Madeline knew how to cook, Angie loved to order Madeline to cook for her.
Every time they went to the Taylor Residence, she would ask Madeline to cook. Nigel spoiled Angie, so he actually told Madeline to cook for the whole family. Every time they visited, Madeline would be the one to cook the whole family’s meal. He never felt bad about it because it had nothing to do with him, but now it broke his heart. Why should my daughter cook for Cameron’s? If Crystal finds out about this, she’ll be livid.
Madeline used to avoid Angie like the plague and let Angie do as she pleased, but once she knew she was the real darling of the Wendel Family, she would never get along with the usurper who had taken her place for more than two decades.
But I did raise Angie like she’s my own for two decades. I’d probably even cry if a pet of mine died, let alone a human whom I’ve loved as my own. He couldn’t chase Angie out, and the fact that he had to choose between Angie and Madeline made his head hurt.
“What should we do?” Cedric frowned. “We can’t chase Angie away. Cameron’s evil and twisted, yes, but Angie is innocent.”
“She is innocent,” Connor said. “But Madeline’s the victim here. She suffered a lot because of Cameron’s twisted actions. Angie, on the other hand, has gained from this. Because of what Cameron did, she took Madeline’s place and enjoyed the life that was supposed to be Madeline’s.”
“What’s that supposed to mean, Connor? Are you ditching Angie? We practically watched her grow up. You can’t abandon her just like that.” Cedric was displeased. “Dad, Jonathan, Joseph, Connor, I don’t mind even if you tear Cameron apart limb from limb, but Angie is innocent. She knew nothing about this. She didn’t ask Cameron to do the switcheroo. We spent two decades with her. That must mean something. Guys, I don’t care what the results are. Angie will always be my sister, and this house will always be her home. I don’t care what you think, but I will defend her.”
“Calm down, Connor.” Jonathan frowned. “Why are you so worked up? I know you want to defend Angie, but what about Mom? Have you ever thought about how she would feel? Cameron switched her real daughter out just to get back at her. If she tries to send Angie away after knowing the truth because she can’t face her, are you going to argue with her? Are you going to turn your back on her for Angie?”
Cedric shut up. Angie was important, but not as important as his mother was. His mother had a heart condition, and it would palpitate at times. His father, him, and his brothers always took great care of her. They would never make her angry. A moment later, he muttered defiantly, “She loves Angie the most. Mom won’t ever abandon her.”
“That’s because she thinks Angie is her own daughter, and she’s the youngest of us all,” Jonathan answered coldly. “But now she’s not. Not only is she not Mom’s own daughter, she’s also her nemesis’ child. Do you really think she can love Angie the same after she finds out about this?”
“I think she can…” Cedric answered stubbornly.
But not even he believed that. His mother could be paradoxical. She was sweet and kind, but she also had a strong sense of justice. To them, she was the gentlest, most gorgeous, and most reasonable mother in the world, but to Cameron, she was a cruel tyrant.
Before their mother was married, she had her father and brothers to keep her safe, and after she got married, she had Michael to protect her. She wanted for nothing in life, and she had no enemies, save for Cameron. Asking Mom to accept Cameron’s daughter and love her like she’s her own? Come on. That’s impossible.
Michael massaged his forehead. “Keep this a secret from your mother. She must not know about this before the results are out.”
The brothers nodded.
Michael stood up. “It’s almost time. Jonathan, come with me to Dusktown. We will meet Madeline. Cedric, stay with your mother. Before I come back, she must not know about this.”
Jonathan and Cedric nodded.
He then told Joseph and Connor, “You two focus on work. Once we have news, Jonathan and I will inform you.”
Joseph and Connor nodded.
Once arrangements were done, Michael and Jonathan left for Dusktown on a private jet.
