Billionaire's Regret: Losing Me And Our Son - Chapter 211: Chapter 211

I froze for a second, my first thought being, "Is York testing me?"
I recalled how York had gone to great lengths to prevent me from reuniting with Shirley. He must have been afraid my return would threaten his position as the sole heir.
I narrowed my eyes and said in a low voice to York, "As I've told you before, I have zero interest in the Smith family fortune. York, let's be frank with each other."
Thinking about how York managed to turn Arthur to save me, I realized I owed him a favor.
At that, York curved his lips into a smile. "Maple Media is lucky not to be losing money right now. Do you really think the Smith family is doing any better? Why else do you think Mom went back to the Lee family alone?"
My head snapped toward York. "What are you implying?"
I knew Maple Media was struggling right now, but why was York suddenly bringing up Shirley?
York's gaze deepened as he said, "Before everything went south, Dad planned to run and pawned all our family's real estate. Now that money's gone without a trace. Mom sold her dowry and jewelry to save the Smith family's ancestral home, but we're still barely scraping by."
My heart skipped a beat as a sudden realization hit me.
During one of our casual chats, Shirley once told me that Ben's parents had always treated her kindly, though unfortunately, both of them were in poor health.
They passed away shortly after Ben and Shirley's wedding. On his deathbed, Ben's father remained deeply concerned about the ancestral home, making Ben and Shirley promise that, no matter what, they would never leave it.
This was Shirley's solemn pledge to the deceased—true to her character, she never breaks her word.
"Why didn't Mom tell me..." I murmured.
York frowned. "Mom's too proud to show weakness. And she doesn't want the Madden family to look down on you."
No matter how tough things got, Shirley would never turn to her children for help.
My heart ached at the thought of Shirley having to return to Sea City to ask her family for money. Who knew how much humiliation she might have to endure?
I hated feeling so powerless—unable to share the burden with my loved ones.
York's words snapped me out of my thoughts. "If you really care about Mom, you should come work at Maple Media," he said.
"I still don't get it," I said, frowning at York. "What exactly could I do there?"
Honestly, with my solid professional experience, I might be qualified for a managerial position at Maple Media.
But what difference would that make? Adding me to the mix could turn things around for Maple Media?
I voiced my doubts to York.
After a thoughtful pause, he said meaningfully, "Right now, Mom has a fifty-fifty chance of convincing Uncle to approve the acquisition deal. But if you join Maple Media, those odds would improve significantly."
My eyes widened in shock. "Why?" I demanded, York's words only deepening my confusion.
York swiveled his office chair around, his distant gaze fixed on the floor-to-ceiling window. He said solemnly, "Because you're the Lee family's daughter. With you there, the family can finally feel reassured."
"But you're a Lee too!" I blurted out, confused.
As the words hung in the air, York swiveled his chair back to face me.
He gave me a warm smile. "Exactly. If the Lee siblings join forces, won't we get twice the results with half the effort? So, Natalia, are you willing to come to Maple Media and work with me?"
York extended his invitation to me once again.
After hearing all this, I had no reason to say no. More than anything, I wanted to help take some of the burden off Shirley's shoulders.