Reborn As Mr. Coldwell's Wife
Chapter 163: A Mother’s Plea

Chapter 163: A Mother’s Plea

Clara stormed into Gerald’s office, her heels clicking sharply against the smooth marble floor. Oliver barely had time to greet her before she pushed through the door, her eyes blazing with fury. Gerald, seated behind his massive desk, looked up in surprise, his expression quickly shifting from confusion to a guarded mask. His mother’s sudden arrival was not something he had anticipated.

"Mom," he greeted. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Clara didn’t bother sitting down. She stood in front of his desk, her hands on her hips, her gaze sharp enough to cut glass. "Don’t play games with me, Gerald. You know exactly why I’m here."

Gerald sat at his desk, staring blankly at the door his mother had just walked out of. Clara’s words echoed in his mind, and he let out an annoyed sigh, leaning back in his chair. He rubbed his temples, feeling the beginnings of a headache forming. He knew exactly what his mother would demand of him after this confrontation.

She’d expect him to go and apologize to Ellen. She probably thought she could intimidate him into doing it. Gerald scoffed at the thought. Apologize to Ellen? That was laughable. There was no way he’d ever do that. Not in a million years.

He could already picture it—Clara cornering him, her eyes filled with that motherly mix of concern and anger, telling him to make things right with Ellen. She’d insist that it was the "right thing to do," that he needed to swallow his pride and be civil. Gerald’s lip curled in distaste at the thought. What did his mother know about what was right? She didn’t understand what was going on. None of them did.

Gerald’s eyes narrowed slightly, and he leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly against the armrest. "I’m afraid you’ll have to be more specific."

Clara leaned forward, her eyes never leaving his. "Why are you so determined to ruin Ellen’s marriage?"

Gerald’s kept a straight face, but his eyes flashed with something darker. "And where did you hear that, Mom?" he asked. He folded his arms over his chest, leaning back further, as if to put distance between himself and her accusation.

"It doesn’t matter where I heard it. What matters is that you’re crossing the line, Gerald," Clara shot back, her voice rising slightly. "I want answers, and I want them now."

Gerald stared at her, a flicker of something passing across his face—annoyance, frustration, maybe even guilt. But he quickly masked it. It had to be her, he thought bitterly. Who else would have told his mother?

"Ellen," he muttered under his breath, shaking his head. "She’s more manipulative than I thought."

Clara’s eyes widened, a mix of disbelief and outrage in her expression. "What are you talking about, Gerald? Ellen has only been trying to get along with you. Why are you acting like this?"

Gerald let out a bitter chuckle, his eyes meeting his mother’s. "You’re so blind, Mom," he remarked. "You think Ellen’s marriage to Mason is perfect? That he’s happy? She’s deceiving everyone, including you."

Clara stared at him, her mouth opening and closing as she struggled to find the right words. "You... you honestly think like that?" she finally said after processing her shock. "What on earth has Ellen done to make you think that she’s deceiving anyone? They’re happy together."

"Do they?" Gerald challenged. "Or are they just too blind to see the truth? Ellen isn’t right for him. She’ll only make him miserable in the end."

Clara shook her head, taking a step back, her expression filled with shock. "This is ridiculous, Gerald. You’re getting involved in stuff you have no right to interfere with. Mason chose Ellen. They love each other. Why are you so determined to destroy that?"

Gerald tightened his jaw, a muscle twitching as he shot a glare at his mother. "Because I know it’s all a lie," he snapped. "Mason deserves better. He deserves someone who truly understands him, someone who won’t bring him down."

It was Aubrey. But Gerald won’t say her name in front of his mom.

Clara’s eyes searched her son’s face, and she saw something there—something more than just anger or resentment. There was a pain, a deep-seated bitterness that she couldn’t quite understand. She softened her tone, taking a step closer. "Gerald," she said quietly. "What is this really about? This isn’t just about Mason and Ellen, is it? There’s something else."

Gerald looked away, his jaw clenching even tighter. "You wouldn’t understand."

"Try me," Clara urged. "I’m your mother. If there’s something bothering you, you need to tell me."

Gerald’s eyes flickered back to hers, and for a moment, Clara thought he might actually open up to her. But then he shook his head, his expression turning serious again. "You’re wasting your time, Mom. This has nothing to do with you."

Hearing what his only son said made Clara’s heart drop. "Gerald, you need to stop this. Whatever your reasons are, you can’t keep trying to interfere in Mason and Ellen’s lives. It’s not fair to them, and it’s not fair to you."

Gerald didn’t say anything, just stared blankly ahead. Clara took a deep breath, her eyes narrowing as she looked at her son. "Listen to me, Gerald," she continued. "You’d better stop whatever stupid schemes you’re planning. I’m warning you—if you do anything to hurt Ellen or Mason, you’ll regret it."

Gerald raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Is that a threat, Mom?"

Clara leaned forward, her gaze intense. "I just don’t want anyone to get hurt, sweetheart." She held his gaze for a moment longer before turning on her heel and walking out of his office.

As the door closed behind her, Gerald let out a slow breath, his smirk fading. He stared at the door for a moment. His mother didn’t understand—no one did. He was only doing what was best for Mason, even if no one else could see it. He wasn’t the villain here. He was trying to protect his best friend, to save him from a mistake he’d regret for the rest of his life.

And yet, as he sat there, alone in his office, a small part of him couldn’t help but wonder if maybe, just maybe, his mother was right.