Chapter 388: Meeting A Mother

The next day, Justin had already left for the Eastern Country. He was all fresh and energetic—while Natalie dragged herself to the office in a groggy state.

Justin hadn’t let her sleep at all the previous night, claiming that since they’d be apart for a while, he had to make up for all that lost time in advance.

Natalie had no choice but to give in to him.

Now, gulping down painkillers to soothe the stiffness in her muscles, she somehow made her way to the Harper Group, silently cursing her husband for his endless stamina.

----

Meanwhile, at the Ford Group, Briena was finally allowed to return and resume her position as CEO. Though people in the company gossiped behind her back, on the surface, they had to maintain a respectful attitude.

Briena couldn’t wait to get her life back on track.

"Mom, Ivan hasn’t contacted me even once. When I call him, he doesn’t answer," Briena complained bitterly. "After the disaster with my movie, no respectable man from a wealthy family would want to marry me. I’m only left with Ivan now."

Clara was well aware of that fact too. The media had been buzzing with speculation about whether Ivan would break off the engagement—but reporters hadn’t been able to get a word from him.

"He won’t be able to disappear that easily," Clara said. "After all, he has major projects with the Ford Group. He’ll have to show up eventually to meet with the CEO."

"You’re right, Mom. Once I meet him, I’ll try to explain everything."

Clara hummed in agreement, then added, "Now forget about Ivan for a moment and think about how to stop your father from bringing Sephina back."

"I didn’t see Dad in his office. Did he already leave to get her?" Briena asked, alarmed.

"He wasn’t in the office?" Clara asked in shock. She quickly made a few calls and confirmed—Jay had indeed gone somewhere.

----

Jay reached Valena Town. Though he had rarely visited in recent years, he still remembered the place like the back of his hand. When he was a child, Sephina would often bring him here whenever Albert was away on business trips. She loved the peace and quiet, and during those days, she gave her full attention to her son.

The memories tightened around Jay’s heart as the car finally stopped in front of the short wooden gate that led to the house nestled in the center of the farm. The place was still surrounded by lush greenery, just as peaceful and untouched as he remembered.

A servant came out to welcome him.

"Where is Mother?" Jay asked.

"Madam is at the back of the farm," the servant replied, then led the way.

Jay followed the long pathway, flanked by trees and flowers, until he reached the back of the home. From there, the view opened up to a clear sky and distant mountains—still breathtaking after all these years.

There, sitting quietly in a chair, was Sephina. She was facing the horizon, still and composed.

Jay paused, remembering—it had always been her favorite place.

"Mother," he called gently.

Sephina looked at him but showed no surprise at his arrival. "You should be at the company," she said simply.

Jay approached her. "You didn’t tell me you were coming here. I was worried."

"I’ve decided to live here from now on," she replied without turning her gaze away.

"Mother, are you really going to abandon our home?" he asked quietly.

"That’s not home," she said, her tone calm and detached. "In fact, it never was. Albert built that house in the city for his own convenience. But home was always here. And now, that place is yours. You can take care of it."

The more composed she sounded, the more it hurt.

"Mother... are you abandoning as well?" he asked, his voice faltering.

"You were never mine to abandon," she said, her voice firm but void of bitterness. "You got what you wanted, Jay. Now go. Live your life. You don’t have to worry about me."

Hearing that she no longer considered him her son, Jay felt deeply hurt. He immediately knelt in front of her and held her hand.

"Mother, don’t say that. I your son," he said, his voice tight with emotion.

Sephina didn’t respond.

"I did everything for my daughter—

granddaughter. But I’m still your son, and I’ll always take care of you."

"I can take care of myself," she replied, gently pulling her hand away from his. "I may be old, but I’m still capable. I don’t hate you for what you did, so there’s no need to feel guilty. I just want to live out my life alone, surrounded by the memories I have here. I don’t want anyone disturbing my peace."

"Mother..."

"I hope you take care of the company," she said, her tone shifting to firm. "If you fail it—don’t even think about showing your face to me again. I can accept betrayal. I can accept deceit. But I will accept you failing what Albert built from scratch. That company is his soul."

"I won’t fail you, Mother," Jay replied quickly. "Briena and I will take care of it. And I will continue to visit you—whether you want me to or not. When you’re ready, I’ll take you back home."

Sephina didn’t respond to that, but instead said, "You can leave now."

Though unwilling, Jay stood up. "I’ll be back soon, Mother," he said quietly.

She gave no reply.

Jay walked toward the car. Just as he was about to sit inside, one of the servants called out behind him.

"Master! Madam asked me to give this to you," the servant said, handing over a small box.

Jay accepted it silently and sat in the car as the driver started the engine. Curious, he opened the box—and his breath caught.

Inside were honey biscuits.

His eyes turned moist.

When he was a child, these were his favorite. He used to beg Sephina to make them for him, and she always did—patiently, lovingly.

Even now, when she was supposed to be angry with him... she remembered.

She still made them for him.

The guilt of betraying his mother gripped his heart as tears rolled silently down his cheeks.

----

In the evening when Jay returned home, Clara came to him, "Jay, where were you? I was so worried..."

He pulled his hand out of her hold and looked at her angrily, "If not for you...."

"Jay?" Clara felt scared to see him angry.

he swallowed his anger. Though Clara was the one to brainwash him, she didn’t force him to do anything. It was he, himself, went with what she suggested.

"Get lost," he spat out and went to his room.

"Mom, what happened?" Briana came to her. "What is dad so angry."

"Seems like he is regretting what he did," Clara replied in a daze.

"Does that mean he will return everything to grandma?" Briena asked with a worry.

"Don’t worry. Just like we fooled Sephina, we can fold him and get everything on our name," Clara replied, her gaze filled with determination.

"But what if he creates trouble after that?"

"He won’t be able to do anything," Clara smirked. ’Time to use that drug.’