Falling For My Ex's Uncle - Chapter 252: Chapter 252

Helena looked at Bonnie with pure disbelief before suddenly bursting into laughter. "Maddox? She's Maddox's daughter?
"How is that possible? Everyone in Wadiff City knows that Mr. Parks and Mrs. Parks have always been deeply in love. He's never even had a single scandal, so where would a so-called illegitimate daughter come from?"
Her voice was filled with doubt and sheer disbelief.
It was true. Maddox and Melody's relationship was admired by many. His business empire was unparalleled, but more than that, he was known as a devoted husband.
Even after decades of marriage, their relationship remained sweet and affectionate.
Anytime Maddox attended an event, Melody was always by his side.
Every year, he threw extravagant birthday parties for her, and everyone knew about it.
People believed their relationship was unshakable. After all, a man like Maddox, with his wealth and power, could have any woman he wanted with just a snap of his fingers. But he had always remained faithful.
They had a son and a daughter, making them the perfect family.
Plenty of wealthy wives envied Melody.
Most men turned reckless once they had money, but someone like Maddox was rare.
"You think just because your last name is Parks, you can claim any relation you want? Didn't Kailyn once say she was the only daughter in her family?
"So there's someone out here pretending to be part of the Parks family? What, did you start believing your own lies?" Helena sneered at me, her voice dripping with mockery.
I said nothing. No one would believe it.
Even I hadn't believed it at first.
If I truly had such a wealthy father, there was no reason my mother should have struggled so much to raise me.
Even as an illegitimate daughter, with all his wealth, he could have easily given us something. He had more than enough to spare.
It wasn't until I met Henry and learned the truth from him that I began to doubt everything.
Still, it was hard to believe I was really Maddox's daughter.
It wasn't until Bonnie admitted it herself that I knew my suspicions were right all along.
"Enough, Helena," Alex said sharply.
Helena turned to see the displeasure on his face and immediately lowered her head in grievance.
Bonnie didn't bother arguing further. Instead, she let out a disdainful chuckle.
Meanwhile, Javier leaned in close to me and muttered under his breath, "Laurel, is Maddox really your father?"
I didn't answer him.
Javier frowned, suspicion flashing in his eyes. "Logically speaking, my mom has never been one to lie. Don't tell me you don't know either."
I remained silent. I didn't understand why Bonnie would reveal something so private in front of everyone.
And then, there was the person my mother met on Westgate Street before she died, whose identity remained a mystery.
That person might have been connected to her death in some way.
"Alex, are you really going to let them bully me like this?" Helena's voice trembled as she looked at Alex, her dark eyes brimming with unshed tears.
Alex furrowed his brows and said coldly, "Apologize."
"You heard him, didn't you? Alex told you to apologize to me!" Helena glared at Bonnie furiously.
Bonnie smiled faintly, unfazed.
"Did you not hear him tell you to apologize?" Helena pressed on, unwilling to back down.
"Are you sure he told me to apologize?" Bonnie spoke slowly, a hint of amusement in her tone.
Helena frowned in confusion, looking at Bonnie warily.
"Helena, apologize!"
"What?" Helena froze, looking up at him in shock.
"I told you to apologize," Alex said coldly, his deep voice carrying undeniable authority.
Helena hesitated. "But Alex, she was the one who hit me—"
Alex's brows furrowed, his expression darkening with irritation.
"I'm sorry." The next second, Helena mumbled an apology, her eyes red with unshed tears, looking utterly wronged.
"What?" Bonnie asked lazily, her voice unhurried.
"I'm sorry." As soon as the words left her lips, tears slipped down Helena's cheeks.
"You should apologize to Laurel, not me," Bonnie said with a teasing lilt in her voice.
"And don't look so pitiful. If you don't want to apologize, that's fine. Just remember one thing."
Bonnie's smile faded, her voice slow and deliberate. "Your words can get you into trouble."
"Alex."
"Apologize." Alex's tone was cold.
Helena stiffened. She had never seen this side of him before. He had always been indulgent, yet now, he was unwavering, almost ruthless.
But I understood. He wasn't doing this for me. He was saving her.
Alex believed what Bonnie had said. He believed that I was Maddox's daughter.
Yet, it made no difference. My so-called father was a man who had never even laid eyes on me, someone who had never shown the slightest concern. There was no reason to believe he would treat me any differently now.
Alex was giving me too much credit.
A chill ran down my spine as realization hit me.
That wasn't right. If Maddox had no choice but to acknowledge me, then he wouldn't allow anyone to humiliate me so openly.
After all, I was part of the Parks family.
And Alex had met Maddox before. He knew his personality, his temper, so...
He wasn't afraid of me. He was afraid of the Parks family.
"Sorry." Helena choked on the word as she apologized
Her red-rimmed eyes carried a trace of sharpness and resentment.
"Then I'll be the bigger person and let it go," I said calmly, my gaze indifferent as it landed on her.
Helena had likely never suffered such humiliation in front of so many people.
She turned toward Alex, but his face no longer held the tenderness and affection he used to show her. Realizing this, she burst into tears and ran out.
"Tsk, what a perfect mix of fake innocence and manipulative charm," Javier said bluntly, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he shot Alex a knowing look.
Bonnie glanced at her watch before turning to me. Her voice softened. "Laurel, I have a last-minute meeting this afternoon. I need to head back to the company."
Then, she looked at Maliyah and Javier. "Javier, stay here with Laurel. I'll drop Maliyah off first."
Javier quickly nodded.
As I watched Bonnie leave, an odd feeling settled in my chest. It felt as if she was deliberately avoiding me.
"Are you feeling unwell?" Alex stepped closer, his voice calm and laced with concern.
"Shouldn't you be checking on your dear Helena?" I smiled faintly.
Beside me, Sophina tugged at my sleeve.
A man who didn't love someone could never be tied down, no matter how much effort was spent trying to keep him.
There was no point in making things difficult for others and putting myself in an even worse position.
I had always been the kind of person who let go easily. If something wasn't meant to be mine, I wouldn't force it.
People who lack a sense of security never waste time hoping for someone else's love.
Because in the constant fear of losing it, they would eventually lose themselves, becoming someone unrecognizable.
"Mr. Herrera, Mrs. Herrera suddenly collapsed at home. The doctor said she's malnourished and anemic. We tried calling you, but you never picked up," Lawrence reported.
Alex looked at me, his dark eyes unreadable.
But I knew he must be furious. After all, I was the one who had driven his precious first love to such despair.
"Tell Dorothy not to come back anymore," Alex said coldly, his tone laced with irritation as he turned to Lawrence.