Chapter 1779


    Alyssa cast a doubtful nce at them, “What’s up with you two? Strangers now?”


    Robin snapped back to reality, forcing an awkward smile, “Mother, what brings you here?”


    “What? I can’t see my own son now?”


    Robin pursed his lips. “I’m happy to see you, mother”


    Alyssa sighed inwardly. Her son could sometimes be too serious, not the type to handle jokes well.


    “Tve finally managed to divorce. Came over to celebrate with a meal “c2


    Robin took a moment, ncing at the expressionless Royce, then back at his mother’s demeanor


    from start to finish. She seemed oblivious to the recent happenings. He rxed a little upon


    realizing this, quickly saying, ‘I’ll have the cooks prepare something right away.”


    “No need I’ll cook today and prepare the dishes you used to love”


    Robin looked surprised, unable to believe what his mother just said. ‘No, no need


    “Don’t worry I won’t make it too spicy I guess with age, tastes change the most


    “But your health.


    “I know my limits “Hannah gave him a reassuring nod and guided Alyssa inside


    Robin stood there looking at Royce, lips moving but no words forming


    Royce merely held Elizabeth close, giving him an indifferent look before entering the house.


    Robin stood outside for a moment longer before following them in His wife had grown ustomed


    to life in Hong Kong and had returned there after just a few days here He had been busy with work


    and had been living alone. The vi wasrge but simply furnished. Most of his time was spent at


    Harper’s Mansion Sometimes he even stayed overnight at the office so the house rarely felt lively


    Alyssa looked around, feeling a pang of sympathy Elizabeth was also surprised by his living


    conditions


    Though Robin always kept his concerns to himself, his intentions were not hard to figure out. Since


    he had the intention to fight for the Harper family it was surprising to see him leading such a simple


    life


    “What are you thinking? You are a Harper after all. Why live so frugally? Alyssa was displeased with


    his current state, “We work hard to earn money so we can enjoy life You’re at an age where you


    should be enjoying life. We spend the first half of our lives working for ourselves, the second half for


    our kids. Your kids are doing great, your life should be fulfilled. You need to let go of whatever’s


    troubling you”


    Alyssa was blunt, but her words were somewhat subtle. He was a man after all, and she worried


    that being too harsh might hurt his pride


    Robin merely nodded. “You’re night, Mother As long as the kids are happy I should be content”


    “d you understand it’s not toote”


    The living room fell silent for a moment. Not just Alyssa, even Elizabeth sensed the unusual


    atmosphere “What’s wrong? Why the long face now? Is something bothering you?”


    Robin shook his head. “No.”


    Alyssa was a bit upset. Even if there was, you probably wouldn’t tell me. I’ll head to the kitchen. You


    two brothers should catch up.”


    Robin tightened his lips. “Take care, Mother”


    Elizabeth was still puzzled, but she followed Alyssa to the kitchen to help


    Royce sat on the sofa Robin sat in a chair beside him, brewed the coffee and pushed the cup in


    front of Royce Royce’s expression was indifferent as he picked up the teacup and took a sip.


    “Im sorry for everything it was a while before Robin spoke.


    Royce didn’t respond The atmosphere in the room was frosty


    After a few minutes, Royce finished his tea. He stood up and said, “Let’s go for a walk.”


    Robin put down his cup and followed silently


    They walked along the covered walkway towards a garden, surrounded by several small buildings.


    “Have you sorted everything out? Royce asked


    “There’s nothing to sort out. I don’t want to make a scene.


    “You’re not going to handle it, then? Have you thought about what you’re going to tell our mother?


    And your wife, your son, how will you exin to them? Do you really think disappearing without a


    trace is a good solution? Or do you think that since you’re going to jail, it doesn’t matter what


    happens to them?”


    “Of course not Robin was silent for a moment before he finally said, “I’ll tell them I’m going on a


    business trip, expanding the Harper family’s market. A few years should suffice When when Mother


    passes, I’ll tell my wife”


    “After Mother passes Royce muttered


    They reached the park, surrounded by neatly arranged pines and cypresses. Even in the harsh


    winter, they were lush and green.


    Robin nodded. “From now on, please take care of Father and Mother You and Elizabeth should


    settle down. And I hope you and Damon can keep this from Travis He’s at a crucial stage of his life I


    don’t want to ruin his life’s efforts.”


    Royce stopped abruptly, turning to look at him with icy gazes “You realize what you’ve done could


    ruin your son’s life?”


    Robin kept silent. Suddenly, he felt a punch to his face, causing him to stumble and finally fall to the


    ground.


    He looked up at Royce. He had never seen his brother, who always kept his emotions in check, so


    angry


    His anger was palpable, it was more than just being irate. The cold emanating from him was almost


    lethal


    “I’m sorry”


    Royce stepped towards him, grabbing his cor and pulling him up beforending another punch in


    his stomach. Tell me, what exactly have you done? And think about whether your apology deserves


    a response”


    A punch to Robins gut had him crumpling in pain, his face contorted in a grimace with a thin trail of


    blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. His eyes were rimmed red


    the pained expression on his face unmistakable


    “I’m sorry”


    “Smack!”


    N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    Another punchnded on his stomach, “Why can’t you just talk to me about your grievances? You


    want control of thepany? I can relinquish it. You want to prove yourself? I could give you


    opportunities! But do you really need to msort to such underhanded tactics? You even got involved


    with the royal family of country and that’s quite a feat! Just for the sake of thepany you


    disregarded the lives of others. Even towards me, you showed no mercy


    “Robin! Who am I to you? Hmm? We share the same blood. Do you realize that? What the hell is


    going on in your heard? For the


    atrocious actions?


    few shares, you’ve resorted to such


    “Have you ever thought about the consequences when everythinges to light? How are Mom


    and Dad supposed to live with this? You asked me to take care of them. Do you think you have the


    right to say these words “”


    Robin closed his eyes tightly “Other than Tm sorry I have nothing else to say Royce, I’m sorry”


    Robin was punched to the ground once again.


    Tm only hiding this for the sake of our parents and Travis Letting him take the me for your


    misdeeds ruining the life he butt from scratch, it’s simply not worth it You almost destroyed your own


    son’s life for your own selfish desires Robin, you truly deserve to die Royce said furiously, coldly


    standing them and straightening his clothes


    Robin wiped the blood from his mouth and slowly rose from the ground, clutching his stomach


    Both men fell silent with Royce leaving first after straightening his clothes


    Robin remained standing gathering his bearings for a moment before following Royce with a slight


    stumble


    When they returned to the living room, Elizabeth was standing there Seeing Royce, she stepped


    forward clearly displeased. “Where have you guys teen? ) just prepared some snacks, and when I


    turned around, you were nowhere to be found”


    Before she could finish, Elizabeth’s gaze fell on Robin who had juste in Even though most of


    Royce’s punchesnded on Robin’s stomach, the first punch hadnded on his face. At the


    moment, half of Robin’s face was visibly bruised and swollen


    She nced at Royce her eyes asking what had happened. In their family, only Royce would dare


    toy a hand on Robin, However, Royce simply took her arm and led her away his face taut and his


    expression clearly not good


    Robin asked a maid for some ice before heading back to his bedroom alone. He sat by the bed,


    silently applying the ice to his face. His gaze was foxed on a certain spot. unblinking, his mind


    seemingly nk It was hard to tell what he was thinking


    It wasn’t until a maid knocked on his door to tell him dinner was ready that he rose opened the door,


    and went downstairs


    Although the swelling on his face had subsided, it hadn’tpletely disappeared. The bruised area


    was still quite noticeable


    Alyssa immediately noticed the wound on his face. She nced at Royce but didn’t say anything


    Instead she picked up some of Robin’s favourite food and put it on fisi te “Here, try this I made it


    with less salt. As we age, we should eat less salt. Eating light is good.”


    When it came to her own son, Alyssa couldn’t help but nag a little. After all, they weren’t young


    anymore, and she sincerely hoped that they would all live long thes


    Robin took a bite


    “How is it Alyssa asked expectantly


    Robin nodded. ‘Its delicious*


    Alyssa beamed in relief. Then eat more.


    in no time his te was overflowing with food


    He had lived for so many years, and he knew that no excuse could justify an emotional outburst at


    that moment. As he stuffed his mouth with the food that he loved, swallowed down the lump of


    regret gratitude, guilt, and reluctance that surged up his throat


    All the things that truly mattered in life were right in front of him, bringing him a sense of happiness


    far greater than owning the Harper family fortune.


    And he had lost it all From then on, he would never have it again.


    “Eat slowly Royce. Elizabeth, you too, slow down Don’tpete with your brother”


    Elizabeth pouted” “Youre clearly favoring him it’s a rare asion that you’re cooking and it’s so


    delicious. If we don’t seize the chance to eat more, wust we be


    “Fine: You eat! If it’s not enough. I’ll cook more ”


    Only then did Elizabeth smile happily. I help youter


    Facing the current Elizabeth, Robin was still surprised He was starting to understand why his


    mother had been so protective of her


    If his future daughter–inw would be as sweet and cheerful as her he would also like her. He


    didn’t me his mother for paying more attention to her apud fugit, i wan natural but he never knew


    that in private, his sister inw had such a personality


    The Elizabeth he had seen before seemed just like a regr, dignified upper ssdy, reserved


    and seldom smaling.


    Robin continued eating until the table was almost cleared Alyssa couldn’t bear to watch anymore.


    “You’re a grown man. Cant you tell when you he you haven’t eaten in ages


    At her words. Rubenughed. ‘I might not be able to eat thus again in the fululu, su


    Alyssa frowned. “What do you mean you won’t be able to eat this in the future? (in noi dying anyt?na


    k?zn


    “You misunderstood Mom Robin put down his chopsticks and wiped his mouth already in a few days


    Ill be heading to U Country to set up a


    Alyssa’s face darkened and she put down her chopsticks Did all my naggin yourself? The Harper


    family is doing well as it is Are you guys trying to


    camborsang. Im not very alegi ( managing things, su tas aranged marything to expand the sou (at


    the Harper family buanssa. I might keep me busy for gate


    deal ears? You’re already of a


    Robin took a deep breath, “Mom, I just I wanted to prove myself. Recently, thepany has been


    facing numerous challenges under my leadership, leading to significant losses. The public doesnt


    think highly of me I just don’t want to appear ipetent in trust of Tiama for fun, I I just dein


    through life without aplishing anything Otherwise, i wouldn’t have the nerve to face him as his


    father


    Alyssa’s expression softened. Travis isn’t like that, you know? i don’t know what you’re always


    muling tower in your head


    1 just hope you stay healthy mom Please take care of yourself


    14.08


    With just a few simple sentences, Alyssa couldn’t help but feel a bit teary. She looked at Robin, and


    tears welled up in her eyes. “Do you think our divorce shamed you, and that’s why you want to


    distance yourself from us?”


    “No…


    “Then why? Travis has his own life, and he’s so aplished. He wouldn’t care about idle gossip.


    Even if your reputation isn’t the best, you’re still the head of the Harper Group. Those people have


    no right to judge you. Why do you always make things so hard for yourself? How many more years


    do you think I have? Can’t you just stay by my side?”


    Robin swallowed hard, his eyes stinging with unshed tears. ‘Mom, I’m truly sorry”


    Tears finally fell from Alyssa’s eyes. “You all make me worry so much Can’t you just stay?”


    Robin stayed silent, but his brother Royce interjected, “Mom, Robin has his own life. What we see


    as fulfillment may not meet his standards. We shouldn’t interfere too much in his life”


    Alyssa didn’t respond, just let the tears roll down her cheeks