Shrouded Affections Winning Back My CEO Wife

Chapter 278 Chapter 278: "You can just telldirectly. I can only advise and guide you in your life without interfering too much," Eileen said. The elevator door opened, and Eileen stepped out first. She and Roderick stood at the building's entrance for a while. Then, Roderick said softly, "Eileen, honestly, Mom's life hasn't been good since she remarried. Our stepfather had smoney, but after he was diagnosed with a terminal illness, he spent it all before he died..." He hesitated and lowered his head. "After that, things were tough. She raisedwith great difficulty. I remember her holdingand a few times... She even arranged for someone to introduceto a girlfriend. Judie's parents didn't want her to marry me, but Judie insisted. Her parents made things difficult by demanding a large dowry. I almost gave up then." At that time, Judie had been young and not so materialistic. She hadn't known how poor Roderick and his mother had been, and she had fallen in love with him. Roderick had struggled to find a girlfriend who truly loved him, and since Judie had appeared, Denise had done bad things to keep Judie by Roderick's side. Denise's husband had bought an expensive cemetery plot for himself before he died, so Denise had used the plot. Roderick couldn't believe she would dig up the ashes and move them elsewhere, but she had really done that.

The absurd part was that someone had actually been willing to buy the cemetery plot from Denise. Judie still didn't know how Roderick got that large sum of money. Denise insisted he keep it a secret, fearing it would bring bad luck. Denise's borrowing from loan sharks had caused Roderick significant pain. But before that, Denise had done her best to care for Roderick.

Eileen understood what Roderick was getting at. She didn't know what to say. She had no personal feelings for Denise, treating the situation rationally, forgetting that Denise was Roderick's mother and had lived with him for over twenty years.

"Eileen, I know I've let you down. I'll take Mom and Judie back to South Town and talk to Bagot. I'll work hard to make money and pay off the loan sharks. If Mom gambles again, I will not take care of her anymore," Roderick said. Roderick was optimistic about his future. Just over twenty years old, he didn't mind enduring shardship. He continued, “I'll make it clear to both of them. From now on, apart from family ties, we have nothing to do with each other. If Judie wants to stay with me, she'll have to endure a few tough years. If not, I'll divorce her." Eileen, hands in her pockets, considered the situation. She could give Roderick five hundred thousand dollars directly, but Judie and Denise would take advantage of her kindness toward Roderick, causing him more trouble. Every tale finds a hat gVlnovдlsAfter a long pause, Eileen said softly, "Lethelp you a bit.” "Except for givingmoney, you can do whatever you want," Roderick would not refuse. He valued his sibling bond with Eileen.

Eileen sighed with relief. Seeing Roderick so familiar with her financial help before, she had thought he wouldn't accept any help from her.

"Let's go shopping first. We can have lunch at my mother's house. In the afternoon, I'll take you shopping for clothes and a phone. Then, you can call Judie and Denise to discuss your plans and see if they agree. After that, we'll figure things out step by step," Eileen said. She believed she had to find out what Denise and Judie were thinking before making a plan for Roderick. Roderick agreed right away. They picked up sgifts nearby and shared a meal with Ruby.

Ruby had met Roderick twice before. The last tRoderick and Judie had visited Eileen, Roderick had made a courteous visit to Ruby in the hospital. Despite limited interactions, they got along well. Roderick's simplicity meshed well with Ruby's laid-back nature, making their meal comfortable.

In the afternoon, Eileen and Roderick went to a mall to shop. After getting his new phone, Roderick immediately called Denise.

"Mom, where are you and Judie? Did Bagot find you?" he asked.

Since Eileen hadn't paid Bagot, he would still ask Denise for money. A substantial sum like hundreds of thousands was not easy for them to ignore, prompting a possible trip from South Town to Onaland.

Previously, Bagot had pursued Denise for money, and Judie had kicked Denise out. So Denise was capable of surviving outdoors.

Lately, she had taken refuge in an unfinished building, avoiding danger but suffering from hunger and cold. When Roderick's call came, it made her excited. “Roderick, please help me! I raised you. I'm counting on you now!" "Mom, where are you exactly?" Roderick asked.

But Denise was clueless about her location.

"Get Judie on the phone!" Roderick urged anxiously. Mentioning Judie enraged Denise. "She kickedout of the hotel and took all our money! I'm in sunfinished building. I don't know where I am. My phone is about to die." Hearing this, Roderick grew more anxious, but the call ended before he could learn more. Attempts to call back were futile. Denise's phone was off. Roderick was filled with worry.

He remembered the hotel they stayed at. Since she was evicted from there by Judie, she couldn't be far from there. Eileen found the hotel on a map and examined the area. Within ten minutes, she concluded Denise might be in the unfinished building about ten kilometers from the hotel.

Without explaining, Roderick also asked Judie to meet at that building.

Half an hour later, Judie arrived at the site in a taxi, her frown deepening at the surroundings. Noticing Eileen's car, she muttered, “I knew it! Eileen wouldn't just leave Roderick behind!" In the unfinished building, Eileen and Roderick cupon Denise sobbing in a corner.

Denise had been too scared to use her cell phone recently. She had only managed to answer Roderick's call just before her phone's battery died. Why did misfortune always find her? Then, she heard footsteps approaching. Fearing it was Bagot, she covered her head and dropped to her knees. "Don't hit me! I don't have any money. You know my daughter; she has money. Go ask her for it!" "Mom!" Roderick's face grew stern at this.

He approached and helped Denise to her feet, both angry and worried about her state.

"Roderick?" Denise caressed Roderick's face, as though she couldn't believe he was real. His face still bore smarks from the beating.

"Mom, let's go back to South Town. We'll sort things out with Bagot. I'll settle your debt, but you must promiseno more gambling, okay?" Roderick brushed her hand aside and got straight to the point.

He was anxious to get the response he wanted to hear.

Denise was greatly displeased at his words. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Eileen standing at the doorway and released Roderick's arm.

She exclaimed, “Eileen, you can't just stand by and watch us struggle like this! That's half a million dollars! Roderick couldn't earn that much on his own in a lifetime! You're wealthy. Why can't you just cover it?" Eileen remained silent, her expression indifferent as she watched Denise approach her.

If Roderick couldn't handle this today on his own, it would only lead to more trouble when they returned to South Town.

So, she stayed out of it.

Roderick pulled Denise away from Eileen. "Please stop taking advantage of Eileen. She made her money on her own! Plus, you didn't raise her. You have no right to demand her money!" Roderick's outburst silenced Denise.

Judie, who had just arrived on the scene, overheard Roderick's words and paused outside the doorway.

Seeing Judie, Roderick said, "If you two still want to be part of my life, you'll return to South Town with me. You only have me, and you have nothing to do with her anymore!" By "her," he referred to Eileen.

"Then... What about the gambling debt?" Judie asked. She assumed Eileen would handle the debt.

It was Denise's debt, after all. Why should she and Roderick bear it? Why not let Eileen, Denise's daughter, pay it? Roderick replied, "As for the gambling debt, I'll negotiate with Bagot when we return. It might take a long tto pay it off. If that's too much for you, we can consider divorce." He then turned to Denise and said firmly, "Mom, Eileen owes you nothing. You're turning to her now because you're desperate for money. That won't work. You either stay here and face the consequences, or you cback withand quit gambling. I'll take care of your old debts." He was prepared to shoulder the burden himself.

Eileen remained silent, clearly not going to repay Denise's debt.

For a while, neither Denise nor Judie spoke.

Denise, inexperienced in worldly matters and unaware of the significance of a lawyer's letter, had been told by Judie that harassing Eileen could lead to jail.

If Eileen wouldn't settle her debt, Denise couldn't force her.

Now, Denise faced two options. One was to rely on Roderick to pay her debt; the other was to suffer severe consequences from Bagot.

Denise moved decisively closer to Roderick. "Roderick, you're my only son. I'll listen to you."

"But how can we live peacefully if we return like this?" Judie voiced hem concern, saying "Bagot will harass us daily. How will we earn money if he does?" "I'll handle him," Eileen interjected.

Judie almost spoke up, but under Roderick's intense stare, she ultimately held her tongue.

After a moment, she asked, "Do we leave? After we attend Eileen's wedding?"

"You won't be attending her wedding," Roderick answered promptly. Noticing Eileen's frown Roderick continued We'll head back to South Town as soon as possible. I'll attend Eileen's wedding by myself. Judie, you and Mom will stay home. If you two can't accept this, we can part ways now." The message was clear: he would eventually return to South Town. If Judie disagreed, they would get a divorce. If Denise objected, he would sever ties with her.

At that moment, Eileen felt relieved.

She turned and walked away, giving them space.

With Eileen gone, Denise and Judie found it easier to speak openly with Roderick, Denise. Om e "Roderick, When will you settle the debt? If you discuss it with Eileen, she'll definitely take care of it!" Denise said.