Chapter 22

Chapter 22

“Happy birthday, Amber.” Madison’s cool voice came from the phone, inexplicably dissipating the anger that had been building up in Leo all day.

He glanced at his mother, who was still in the kitchen, and spoke slowly, “And I thought you have forgotten about Mom’s birthday? Don’t you plan to come back to visit?”

There was only silence from the other end.

Leo furrowed his brows. He took a look at the phone. It still showed that the call was. ongoing.

“Madison?” he spoke again, intending to say something to ease the mood, but all that remained was the busy signal.

The call was hung up.

It lasted 29 seconds.

Leo stared at the slowly darkening screen of the phone, his eyebrows furrowing even more tightly. His grip on the phone was so tight that he almost crushed it.

“Is it a call from Madison? Why didn’t you say anything?” Amber asked as she came out of the kitchen with the last two dishes.

Leo didn’t say a word. He casually threw the phone back on the table and reached out to help his mother set the table. His expression was dark. It was obvious he was in a bad mood.

Amber glanced at him. She wiped her hands clean and picked up her phone. After seeing the brief call just now, she raised her eyebrows slightly.

However, she didn’t say anything. She just took another glance and placed the phone back.

“You’re not going to call back?” Leo suddenly asked.

Amber took a spoonful of soup and was just about to drink it. When she heard him, she put it down. “It’s dinner time. It’s not appropriate to call back now. Besides, Madison. undoubtedly called to convey birthday wishes. I knew that. If I call her back, what should I say?”

Leo did not ask further questions.

With that, the mother and son fell into silence again, as if they were two strangers sharing a table.

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09:28 Tue, 23 Jan

Chapter 22

It wasn’t until the bowl of soup was finished that Amber broke the stalemate. “I heard you and Madison have already divorced. Are you planning to marry that girl from the Hale family after that? Have you discussed the wedding details?”

This series of questions left Leo unsure which one to answer, so he chose to respond to the one he wanted to answer.

“We’ve only signed the divorce papers, and the formalities haven’t been completed. Legally speaking, Madison is still a member of your Palmer family now.”

The somewhat childish words made Amber raise her eyes and give her son a sidelong glance.

What did he mean by Madison is still a member of my Palmer family? Was he not part of the Palmer family?’ she thought.

Amber couldn’t help but point out, “I know that back then, when your grandfather forced you to marry Madison, it made you unhappy. Now that he is gone, I also understand that I shouldn’t have pressured you so much. But let me say one thing. Since you’ve decided to divorce, complete the formalities as soon as possible. It’s not good to drag it out like this.”

Leo remained silent. “I know what I’m doing when it comes to the divorce.”

Amber couldn’t hold back her tongue anymore. “You say you know? If you knew what you were doing, you wouldn’t have sent Madison abroad and left her alone for three years without care or concern for her! You knew nothing at all.

She did not continue further and refrained from saying anything harsher. She drew in a breath to suppress her emotions.

The relationship between her and her son had been stiff for these years, and because of the marriage, it had almost turned them into enemies.

If they started another dispute, Leo might not even want to come back to the main. Palmer residence again.

Trying to keep her tone gentle, Amber continued, “As for the marriage with Madison, it was your grandpa and me who forced you into the marriage. It was our mistake, but Madison is innocent. She had been all alone overseas, and we don’t even know how she managed to suffer through all that. Since you’ve decided to divorce her, remember to compensate her for what she’s been through.”

Leo showed an indifferent attitude, responding with a perfunctory “mm”.

Amber knew she couldn’t control him now, but seeing his demeanor, she felt a surge of frustration.

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Chapter 22

She went on. “If you like that girl from the Hale family, then marry her. I won’t stop you anymore. But I want to make it clear. I don’t like her. Don’t bring her around to me.”

Thinking about the woman’s hypocritical mannerisms, Amber felt a headache.

Sally’s personality wasn’t as good as Madison’s, and she wasn’t as good-looking either. Amber didn’t know how her son could be so blind!

With these thoughts in mind, she couldn’t help but massage her throbbing temples.

Suddenly, there was a loud noise!..

Leo had smacked his utensils loudly on the table. A cold, mocking expression appeared on his face. “You don’t like it? How many decisions have you made for me based on your preferences since I was young?

“You don’t like Sally, so even when she visited the Palmer family, you didn’t let her in. You like Madison, so you let me marry her to please you. The childhood engagement was decided by you, and in the end, who I should marry was also decided by you. Now, even in the divorce, I have to follow your requirements, right?”

Amber froze, and her face showed a moment of shock and disbelief.

This was the first time her son had questioned her like this.

Even three years ago, when they got married, he reluctantly went through with the marriage registration, carried out a wedding, and then quietly sent Madison away.

Amber had a severe headache by now, and her voice also carried a tinge of exhaustion. “Fine. I won’t interfere in your matters. You can discuss it with Madison when you want to complete the procedures. And you can discuss it with your Sally when you want to marry. As for me, when you need me to make a symbolic appearance, just let me know.”

She no longer had the appetite to continue eating and stood up from the dining table.

At her age, it did not matter if she celebrated her birthday. If she didn’t, she could deceive herself that she was a year younger.

Leo was left alone at the dining table.

He looked at his phone, located a familiar number, and then pressed the call button.

As with every call made over the past three years, the voice on the other end of the line was still the cold, mechanical female voice, reminding him again that the number was

out of service.

After a moment of silence, as the screen on the phone dimmed, Leo finally came to his senses and dialed another number with a calm

gaze.

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Chapter 22

When Madison received a call from Amber, she hesitated for a moment about whether to answer it.

It wasn’t that she was afraid of anything. She simply found Leo’s voice annoying.

However, thinking it over, she realized that he was the one who owed her an apology, so she had nothing to feel guilty about. Even if it was Leo was on the other end, she could always hang up again if necessary.

She decided to answer, and Amber’s inquiring voice came through the phone. “Amber, have you returned to the country fecently? Why haven’t you come and visit me? Are you angry with me?”

Madison was left momentarily speechless by how friendly Amber was.

If the presumptuous tone that Leo used just now annoyed her, then Amber’s affectionate tone left Madison a bit bewildered.

In the past, there was a legal relationship that linked them together, but what about

now?

“Amber, you should already know that Leo and I have divorced, so there is no need to be so… nice to me. I’ve been back for a few days and have been busy looking for a job. That’s why I haven’t had the time to visit you. Please don’t misunderstand. I’m not upset with anyone. Even if I am, it has nothing to do with you.” Madison clarified things first. before responding to Amber’s questions.

Of course, she didn’t forget to appease the older woman. “When my job is stable, I’ll visit you during my free time. Is that okay?”

Amber couldn’t help but smile. “You can’t lie to me, okay? When you’re free, you must come and visit me!”

Madison nodded. “Rest assured, Amber, I still remember your culinary s

Madison grinned, too. However, in the next moment, her smile vanished.

Amber asked softly, “Why are you being so polite? I’ve watched you grow up for so many years. We are so close. If you distance yourself from me, I won’t be able to get used to it. How about this, Madison, I will consider you my daughter from now on, and we can continue like before. What do you think?”

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