Falling For My Ex's Uncle - Chapter 286: Chapter 286

I didn't bring Sophina back. Instead, I went to a nearby mall.
I thought the two bodyguards who'd been trailing us had left some time ago.
Unexpectedly, they had been following me.
Their eyes watchful, they trailed closely behind us when they learned we were heading to the mall.
It attracted the attention of the people by the roadside. Some even recognized me.
In that moment, I desperately wished I could vanish.
The two burly bodyguards, even disguised with masks and hats, were too conspicuous.
I felt compelled to buy myself some black sunglasses while shopping for Sophia's glasses. Just after I'd made my purchase, a group of children ran out of the amusement park, frightened and on the verge of tears.
"Laurel, I sent you the money for the glasses. Take it," Sophina said, gently pulling my arm.
"I frowned. 'Don't worry about it. It's covered by employee benefits. Besides, I was the one who broke them."
Sophina shook her head quickly. "I've had these glasses for a long time. It's understandable that they're broken."
She kept badgering me to take the money, so finally, I said, "Fine, you're buying me lunch, then."
Sophina went quiet for a moment, then gave a silent nod, seeing I was resolute.
We found a quiet corner in the fine dining restaurant and sat down. Lawrence and his bodyguards took a table nearby.
I only breathed freely once the strange stares I felt on my back faded away.
Midway through the meal, my phone rang, and my heart skipped a beat when I saw the caller ID.
It was a call from Isaac.
Two hours later, I saw him in the cafe, looking at me with dark eyes.
Isaac, his face clouded with concern, slid a document across the table to me at the cafe.
When I opened it, I discovered it was a check for 1.5 million dollars and the deeds to two shops, property awarded to my mother in her divorce settlement from Maddox.
A sneer escaped me. My mother's decision to leave with nothing suddenly made perfect sense.
Defying her family, she had joyfully married Maddox, only to face betrayal and suffering within his family. Now, their meager attempt at compensation felt cold and heartless.
Isaac explained that his parents had misinterpreted the situation: Maddox married Melody to safeguard the Parks family.
To clear his debt to my mother and me, Maddox decided to give me 10% of the company shares, worth over 300 million dollars. I was unsure if this meant he was finally ready to acknowledge me.
Before I could understand, Isaac's impatience and disgust were clear. "Laurel," he said, his face a mask of frustration, "you're only returning to the Parks family for the money, right? These shares should be more than enough to satisfy you."
I wasn't upset by Isaac's sudden change in demeanor. I simply looked at him curiously and asked, "You know what happened then. Why did you only treat Melody and Kailyn as your family?"
"What else?" Isaac asked, his dark eyes fixed on me with a sardonic smile. "Melody raised me herself. I consider her my mother, and Kailyn my sister. The past doesn't matter to me. It's all family history."
Hearing Isaac's words, my heart suddenly ached.
I fought back tears and said softly, "If it weren't for Melody, Mom wouldn't have left the Parks family. She wouldn't have left you."
Isaac considered this for a moment, then looked at me and said calmly, "The past is the past. We must look to the future."
"You're right." I stared at his indifferent and cold eyes.
I often wondered how Isaac would react when he discovered his true identity.
I was unsure if he would accept me as his sister, reject me entirely, or remain indifferent.
But I never thought he could be so cold.
However, it made sense. After all, he was raised by Melody.
He was indifferent to the mother he'd never known. Did he ever regret being born?
After all, the Shepherd family was a rich family.
But was my mother wrong? Was I wrong?
"I won't take this money," I said coldly.
Surprise flickered in Isaac's eyes. Frowning, he said, "Laurel, didn't you want to return to the Parks family for money? Getting the company shares isn't that easy. Dad decides to give them to you because you're family. Don't take that for granted."
"Did you really believe I'd accept Maddox as my father just for money?" I asked Isaac, my heart heavy with anger.
If mother saw her son protecting the Shepherd family, she must be very sad.
"Then what do you want? You think marrying into the Herrera family will bring justice for your mother?" Isaac's voice dripped with disdain and mockery as he leisurely took a sip of coffee. "Or did you think I would be your pawn?"
I rose to my feet, my frustration evident. "These shares mean nothing to me. My mother deserves justice, and the Parks family can't simply buy their way out of this with stock options."
Isaac stood up, anger flashing in his eyes. "Laurel, what are you hoping to accomplish? The Parks family is not to be trifled with. If anyone is to blame, it's your mother for her choices. She must bear the consequences of her actions."
I was slightly stunned. I didn't expect Isaac to say such vicious words.
"Isaac, remember, my mother is your mother too. You wouldn't even be here without her." I fought back my anger, fixing him with a sharp glare. "Now I understand why my mother hid me away. She feared the Shepherd family would poison my mind, leaving me unable to distinguish right from wrong."
Isaac let out a mocking laugh. "Laurel," he scoffed, "what do you have to fight the Shepherd family with? You? Or the husband who nearly died saving you?"
I asked, "If that's the case, why are you here asking me to do it? Why can't you just suppress public opinion online?"
Isaac's expression turned even darker as he growled, "The Parks family will not tolerate anyone threatening the family's reputation and interests."
I didn't give in. "The Parks family are the ones who want to reconcile, not me!"