<h4>Chapter 244: A Difficult Choice</h4>


    E stared at Eric in shock. What had he done to expose Grace’s true nature?


    "Henry, why are you so anxious? Back then, why couldn’t you spare my mother?" Eric’s voice dripped with sarcasm. Not long ago, Henry was confident that it would be Eric who would lose. But now, here he was, like a beaten dog, begging him to spare Grace. What right did he have? What nerve?


    "I’m sorry... We were wrong. No matter what, she’s still my mother, even though she’s cruel. I’m sorry..." Henry’s voice was filled with regret.


    "Henry, if it were you, what would you do? Would you be so forgiving toward a murderer? I suggest you stay out of this, or else... you’ll find yourself on a dead-end path too!"


    Eric hung up, feeling no satisfaction—only a heavy weight on his chest.


    He had always despised Henry, but now that Henry was pleading with him, why wasn’t there a trace of joy?


    Because this cycle of hatred had cost both sides dearly.


    "If you’re feeling down, let’s change the movie. How about something lighthearted?" E suggested softly. Eric smirked. "Let’s watch a romantic action movie instead."


    E: ...


    Meanwhile, by the seaside...


    Henry gripped his phone tightly, too ashamed to call Eric again.


    Grace was cruel, but she had always taught him to live an honest life, with a clear conscience.


    When Eric had been hostile toward their parents, Henry had been angry and confused. Why would Eric act that way?


    Now, he finally understood.


    If he were Eric, he would have been just as extreme in his retaliation against James and Grace.


    What should he do?


    On one side was his biological mother, and on the other was the sense of justice he had always cultivated. His moralpass had always been straight.


    Now, forced to choose, he felt a deep, agonizing pain and conflict.


    Suddenly, his phone pinged. He nced at it, seeing a new message notification from his chat app.


    Henry’s heart skipped a beat, his pulse quickening with a sense of excitement and anticipation—like a teenager in love catching sight of their crush.


    He opened the app and saw a new post from E.


    She was the only person he followed on social media.


    "Someone is having a rough day. I’ve always believed in the saying that the wicked get what they deserve and the good are rewarded, but sometimes life is cruel. Some people leave and nevere back. Why must people’s hearts be so full of greed and envy? It’s the root of all evil."


    "Thinking about what I could cook to cheer someone up... but with my cooking skills, it might take me 800 years to make something decent..."


    Henry’s hands trembled slightly.


    E... He had fallen for her, deeply and uncontrobly. But they could never be together. It was impossible.


    All he could do was try to make her happy, to make her smile.


    If he became like Grace—deceitful and maniptive—E would end up hating himpletely, wouldn’t she?


    After a long inner struggle, Henry finally came to a realization.


    To live as a person, no matter where or when, one must hold on to their core principles—kindness, goodness, and integrity. Only then would one be worthy of respect and affection.


    He didn’t want to be the viin. So... he had to let things unfold naturally. Even though Grace was his mother, she was evil and maniptive, and she had even tried to kill Eric...


    That fire...


    Henry’s heart froze as he realized that the fire was likely Grace’s idea too. If E hadn’t been careful, she might have died in that ze.


    The pain in his chest felt like it was tearing him apart. The thought of abandoning someone so close to him—his own mother—brought an unbearable kind of suffering.


    For several days, there was no movement from the other side, but during that time, Eric had managed to gather a lot of confidential information. He and his inner circle had alreadye up with several ns.


    It was then that Eric received a call from Grace, inviting him and E to her housewarming party.


    "Eric, I know you and your father have had many misunderstandings, but I hope we can let the past go, alright? And about the things your father said before—don’t believe a word of it," Grace said in a soft, pleasant voice. It was rare for Eric to take her call, so she made sure to put on her best "virtuous" act.


    Eric let out a coldugh. "Send me the time and address. Whether I show up depends on my mood."


    With that, he hung up. Talking to a woman like her for even one more second made him feel sick.


    But how could he let that venomous woman enjoy her housewarming celebration so easily? James had really outdone himself this time—he spent five hundred million to buy Grace an ultra-luxurious mansion!


    They were currently living in Victoria’s old property, which, at the time of purchase, had been in both James and Victoria’s names.


    Naturally, Grace wasn’tfortable living there, so she manipted James into buying her a new mansion. A year ago, the renovation began, and in seven days, they would be holding the housewarming party. Grace was feeling triumphant, but she had the nerve to invite Eric?


    "Boss, should we prepare something special for the asion?" John asked with a chuckle, noticing Eric deep in thought.


    "Boss, is that venomous woman inviting you to her housewarming party?" Michael sneered. That woman was truly arrogant. Did she think that just because Eric hadn’t acted over the past decade, he was too weak to take her on?


    Eric had long suspected who was behind everything, but without concrete evidence, he couldn’t move too quickly. Plus, the person Grace was working with was extremely powerful, and Eric hadn’t yet built up enough strength to confront them head-on.


    But things were different now. Eric wasn’t the naive kid from years ago.


    "You guessed right. The venomous woman invited me to her party. Looks like I need to prepare a nice gift for her." Eric smirked. "Grace has been attending quite a few charity gstely."


    Michael and John exchanged a knowing look. "Got it, Boss. We know what to do!"


    On Monday afternoon, E had just returned to her dorm after lunch when someone delivered a box of choctes to her.


    "Wow, heart-shaped choctes!"


    "It’s not the most expensive gift, but... chocte is definitely a favorite among girls. E, your man’s got great taste!" Lauren eximed, practically drooling.


    E opened the box but found no note inside. She decided to call Eric to ask if he had sent them.


    When Eric’s answer came, E’s heart sank—the choctes weren’t from him.


    That meant the choctes were not safe to eat.


    "Toss them. They’re not from him." E had be very cautious. If the food didn’te from Eric, she wouldn’t touch it.