Chapter 257

chapter257

Jamison was left speechless!

Emerson’s two associates were equally stunned. They had planned to intimidate the lone woman, thinking they could use their numbers to exert pressure, but they hadn't expected her to be so formidable. Her composure and sharp, commanding presence were enough to make them reconsider their entire approach.

Even Emmanuel, watching from a distance, was astonished. My wife is truly something else. He realized then that she didn't need a "hero" to step in; her own strength was more than sufficient to handle the situation.

“Are the rest of you planning to stand there all day, or do you have something else to say?” Mackenzie’s voice was like ice.

She had been in a tense mood for days, and the encounter with these troublesome individuals provided a rare outlet for her pent-up frustration. Her gaze was so piercing that Jamison involuntarily retreated, not even daring to help his father save face.

“Let’s go! Now!” Emerson’s lackeys didn't wait for another word, turning and retreating in haste.

“Cowards,” Mackenzie muttered. She had no time to waste on such people and immediately turned to leave the scene.

Emmanuel let out a long sigh. The father and son from the Cadigan family had proved to be a minor distraction at best. It seemed his plan to use a "rescue" as an icebreaker had failed. He would have to find a more sincere and direct way to resolve the ongoing conflict with Mackenzie.

The news of the couple’s cold war quickly reached the Quillen estate through Terence’s network of informants. Terence, the seasoned patriarch, had even seen reports of Emmanuel’s unsuccessful attempts to reconcile.

“Grandpa, it looks like your strategy didn't work!” Beatrix was anxious. Though she lacked personal relationship experience, her bond with her sister was deep. Seeing Mackenzie so gloomily focused on work made her worry to the point of losing sleep.

It felt as though she were the one going through a difficult time. If it weren't for the need to protect Mackenzie’s secret identity, she would have marched over to her brother-in-law and given him a piece of her mind.

“Haha, it’s not a failure yet. Relationships, much like high-level business, require immense patience,” Terence remained calm. At seventy, he had seen every kind of storm. He maintained a detached but observant attitude, seeing through the surface of the conflict.

He knew that as long as Mackenzie hadn't brought up the word "divorce," there was still hope. The tension itself was a sign that she still cared deeply.

“I won’t listen to this anymore!” Beatrix huffed, frustrated by his cryptic optimism, and stormed out of the room.

Once she was gone, Alfred approached respectfully. “Sir, shouldn't you intervene? A few words from you might settle this misunderstanding between the young couple.”

“I won't interfere,” Terence said, a faint gleam in his eyes. “A marriage must find its own equilibrium. I will only step in if they truly reach an impasse.”

That afternoon, Emmanuel headed to the headquarters of the Terence Group as usual on his electric scooter to start his part-time shift. On the way, his phone rang. It was Quintus.

“Emmanuel! We didn't get to finish our conversation last time. Let’s grab a drink tonight!”

“Quintus, I have work tonight, I’m afraid I can’t make it.”

“Work again? Come on, I’ll introduce you to some new friends. I’ll even cover whatever wages you’re missing out on,” Quintus offered generously.

Emmanuel forced a smile. He felt a deep sense of loneliness and a desire to drown his worries, but he knew that alcohol wouldn't help him reconcile with Mackenzie. In fact, it might only make things worse. “Maybe next time, Quintus. I’m really not in the right headspace tonight.”

“What a pity. Fine then!” Quintus hung up, though he wasn't too bothered.

Emmanuel arrived at the entrance of the Terence Group building just as the evening shift was starting. He spotted Mackenzie leaving the building. He had come hoping for a chance to talk, even if he expected to be ignored.

Today, she looked even more distant than usual, her eyes lacking their typical sharp brilliance. The weight of their silence was clearly taking its toll on both of them as they stood at opposite ends of the busy street.