Chapter 1020

Tessa remained silent at the side, her eyes fixed on Julian’s every move. Something didn’t sit right with her; he was being far too quiet today. Wasn’t he supposed to be mentally impaired? Why wasn’t he spouting nonsense or acting erratically? He almost seemed normal. And was he eavesdropping on their conversation?

Tessa’s eyes flickered with suspicion. She leaned closer and quietly shared her observation with Grace.

Hearing this, Grace also turned to look at Julian. Sure enough, she too began to sense something was off. Julian was unusually calm, almost as if he fully understood what they were talking about.

Albert’s gaze, meanwhile, never left the stack of contracts on the table. He knew exactly what signing those papers would mean for the company. The outcome was clear—either bankruptcy or a slow death. In any case, it would never be the same again.

“I… I failed to raise my son properly. I apologize,” Albert said, sweat beading across his forehead. His fists were clenched tightly at his sides. In the end, he made a decision.

He bowed deeply to Grace and Tessa, speaking with forced conviction. “You’re right. My way of parenting was wrong. I take full responsibility. My son is already beyond saving, but the company—that’s my life’s work. I can’t let it be destroyed. Otherwise, I won’t be able to face my family or the shareholders.”

For the first time in his life, Albert’s once-proud back bent in submission. Both Carol and Julian were stunned. Julian’s pupils widened–it was the first time he had seen his father like this. Even Carol felt a wave of shock ripple through her. She had spent most of her life with Albert and had never seen him like this. In her memory, he had always been proud, never willing to bow his head. Even in their younger days, during arguments, he would never humble himself to coax her. But now…

Carol made a decision in her heart as well. She stepped forward, shedding her earlier arrogance. Turning to Tessa, she offered a gentle smile and played the sympathy card. “Tessa, it’s me who owes you an apology.”

She bowed to both Tessa and Grace, her tone full of remorse, “We truly recognize our mistakes this time. I hope the two of you can give us—and our company—a second chance. It really is my husband’s life’s work.”

Grace looked at the two of them bowed low, while behind them stood Julian with a dazed expression. He looked completely blank, glancing around like a child who didn’t know where he was. Seeing the two elders shoulder the blame for their son’s mistakes stirred something in Grace. After all, it was their son who had done wrong, yet they were the ones bearing the consequences.

Tessa was also watching Grace. Everyone in the room had their eyes on her. Tessa herself was curious–at a moment like this, would Grace still be able to steel her heart? Because this woman saw only profit in her eyes. Even Tessa knew that much.

The living room suddenly sank into an eerie silence.