Chapter 268

Declan hung up the phone and looked at Wendy, eyes full of anger. He said, “Mom, do you treat me like this because of Natalie? Weren’t we a happy family before she came along? Ever since she appeared, our family has been a mess. She’s nothing but bad luck.”

Wendy said, “Yes, she’s considered bad luck, but that’s a label you all put on her. Declan, you should experience what it’s like to be mistreated and falsely accused. There’s not a single decent person in the Simpson family. I wish the Simpson family a bright future and success in everything. Can you leave now?”

Seeing Wendy’s serious expression, Declan was scared. He held Wendy’s hand, looking at her anxiously. He said, “Mom, what’s happened to you? Didn’t you always dislike Natalie? Why are you helping her now?”

Wendy replied, “Because I was wrong about people. It’s the Simpsons who are truly terrifying. Natalie is the kindest person, and you shouldn’t call me Mom anymore. I’m not your mother…”

Wendy closed her eyes, feeling intense pain. She thought, ‘Everything is ruined. I can’t guide them back onto the right path anymore. It is my fault. Time couldn’t be turned back. I regret it, but all I can do is protect what I have left.’

She said, “If you like Jennifer, keep being her little pet and following her guide.”

Declan said, “Mom, how can you say that about Jennifer? She’s my favorite sister. Is it because of Natalie? If it’s her, I’ll handle her quietly.”

Wendy painfully slapped Declan. Her disappointment in Declan was beyond words.

She shouted, “Declan, get out! You’re in your twenties and still a lazy leech. Nick let you chase your dreams, but you wasted your best years. Did your dreams come true? Will a good father let his kids do anything they want? I tried to guide you, but you thought I was annoying and didn’t care about you. Now, you’re going nowhere, and your dreams have stalled. Declan, if this is the life you want, go ahead and live it. I’ve fulfilled my duty as a mother. I will not manage you anymore. I don’t want a son always looking to mess others over.”

Wendy was distressed. She had four sons, and only Jason was somewhat sensible. She was determined to take care of no one. It was too exhausting. Till now, she realized she couldn’t protect anyone, not even her daughter.

Declan sneered. He thought, ‘I understand. Mom now disapproves of Dad being an in-law.’ He said, “Mom, if you don’t want me, Dad will still accept me.”

Wendy replied, “Fine, then go and live well with them. Nick’s lover is nice and should treat you, the perfect son, properly.” Declan said, “Mom, I’ve already heard about it. It was Natalie who set Dad up…”

Wendy shouted angrily, “Declan, people die from being foolish. If Jennifer told you to eat dirt, you’d likely think it tastes better than meat. I was there. I witnessed it myself; Nick walked in by himself. Yet you all blamed Natalie. Jennifer orchestrated a fake kidnapping and blamed it on Natalie. The car accident involving Jason was also staged by people Jennifer hired. Vance’s whereabouts are unknown, and it is also Jennifer’s doing. She hired Khloe to lure Vance away, get him to give up his company, and turn him into a nobody. Now, your dad has control of Vance’s company. You have nothing. All Jennifer wants for you is to use you against Natalie and drive me crazy, so that her real mother and Nick can reunite. Declan, do you even know who Nick’s mistress is?”

Wendy stared at Declan in front of her. She didn’t want him to end up dead. Wendy had sent Jason away for his good. Vance was an idiot; he trusted Jennifer till he died. Declan was even more foolish because he was more cruel. But in fact, Wendy liked Declan most because he had a silver tongue. That was why she told Declan all these things. She wanted to give him a chance.

Declan said, “Mom, you must be joking. Natalie schemed against Dad. Who’s the woman Dad cheated with?”

Declan thought Wendy was out of her mind. In his opinion, Natalie was nothing but bad luck, bringing chaos to their family.

Declan’s stubbornness took Wendy aback. She laughed in frustration and said, “Declan, it was naive of me. I overestimated your intelligence. You’re right; I was joking. Now I see that Nick’s children are just born bad. Get out!”

She realized that bad people didn’t see themselves as bad; she had overthought it.

Declan called, “Mom…”

Wendy picked up her phone and called Maria. She said, “Maria, post what I just said on the official website. I, Wendy, am cutting all ties with my four sons.”

Nick disgusted her. She wanted nothing to do with her four sons anymore.

Declan choked, yelling in grief, “Mom, do you really have to do this?”

Wendy nodded and replied, “Yes! You people in the Simpson family are all sponges. I was going to save you, but you don’t need it.” She needed to hurry up and provoke Nick.

Declan was terrified. He thought, ‘I have nothing. What would I do if Mom abandoned me? Even though Dad is kind, Mom has so many assets.’

Suddenly, something occurred to him, and he yelled, “Mom, are you leaving us because of Natalie? Is she planning to take away Grandma and Grandpa’s inheritance?”

Hearing this, Wendy stepped back painfully, her heart aching with fierce hurt. It was pure agony. She thought, ‘It is unbearable. How could my life turn out this way?’

She shouted angrily, “Natalie again! Declan, all you do is pick on the weak and defenseless Natalie. Why don’t you bully Easton or Murray if you’re so tough? Why do you only pick on the vulnerable Natalie? Do you call yourself a man?”

Declan called, “Mom…”

Wendy interrupted him, “I told you to leave. Also, you’d better not mention today’s incident when you’re with Jennifer. It could hasten your downfall.”

Wendy knew Declan wouldn’t speak because he feared those words would upset Jennifer. Her four sons adored Jennifer since she was young. They always treated her the best. Jennifer could win over them without doing anything with just a few gentle words.

It turned out that some people were truly evil, always finding various reasons and excuses to justify their bad actions and avoid moral condemnation. They even deceived themselves and made excuses for their behavior.

Wendy’s heart hurt deeply. She needed help, but except for her two assistants, she could not trust anyone around her.

Wendy left after finishing her words, leaving Declan standing there, shocked and incredulous.

Declan was stunned. He couldn’t believe Wendy had abandoned him. He rushed to stop Maria’s announcement.

Looking at Maria, who had gained a little weight, Declan threatened her, “Maria, if you dare to release it, I’ll jump off the building.”