Chapter 535 No Big Deal
Chapter 535 No Big Deal
"What do you mean?" Sophie trembled with anger. "Are you trying to cut ties with me? Edmund, I'm telling you. Everything you possess was granted by my family. Even in death, you'll always belong to us. You're in debt with me, and it's one you'll never clear in this lifetime!"
"Don't you understand what he's saying?" Leigh impatiently interjected. "He has made it very clear. He acknowledges his debt to your parents, not to you. He plans to repay them in the next life. But when it comes to you, he wishes to sever ties. Isn't that clear enough?"
"No! No…" Sophie shook her head vigorously. "Edmund, you can't be this ungrateful! You're a part of the Foremans. Return to me. Come back right now!"
She had never anticipated that Edmund would completely cut ties with her.
Even though she had not seen him for over three years, she had always regarded him as a part of her Foreman Family. She was certain that one day he would return to her, firmly believing that he would remain loyal and never betray her regardless of how she treated him. However, she never anticipated that he would want to sever ties with her and leave her family behind.
Despite her hatred for him, she also loves him. He was the only person she felt close to in the world. Her actions of tormenting him were not due to a lack of love but rather stemmed from her intense anger over his affair with Ashley, which ultimately caused Riley's death.
The mixture of love and hate created conflicting emotions within Sophie toward him. While part of her wanted to torment him to release her anger, another part secretly yearned for his redemption and a chance for them to be together again.
Thus, she subjected Edmund to torment as a form of his atonement. She had always been convinced that he would endure it silently regardless of how she treated him, never betraying her and remaining a member of the Foremans.
Yet, reality had dealt her a harsh blow. Her arrogance blinded her to reality. He desired to sever ties with her and completely disconnect from her family.
Sophie's eyes turned red, and she glared at Edmund. "I knew it. You're heartless and ungrateful. Everything you have is from my family, yet you dare to sever ties with us? A heartless ingrate like you doesn't deserve a happy ending!" In anger, she was outspoken.
Sighing silently, he decided not to say anything more and turned to Madeline. "Madeline, let's go."
She nodded, and with Martin and Rowan assisting Edmund, they headed toward the door.
"Stay where you are!" Sophie's face flushed with anger. "Edmund Foreman, I'm the head of the Foremans. You must obey my orders. I didn't permit you to leave, so why are you leaving?"
Edmund did not look back and calmly replied, "I'm not a part of the Foremans anymore. I am now a member of the Oasis Law Office. I never signed any contract binding me to you, but I did sign one with the firm for twenty years. During this time, I'm obligated to follow my boss' orders."
"Why you…" Sophie trembled in anger. "Who permitted you to sign anything? How could you dare to sign yourself away? Your life belongs to the Foremans. You have no right to make such decisions!"
Madeline frowned. "Since he didn't sign a contract with your family, his life doesn't belong to you. It's
his own, and he's free to choose the life he wants. You have no authority to interfere." Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.
"Bullsh*t!" Sophie sharply retorted. "My parents saved and nurtured him. His life and his freedom all belong to my family. He has no right to decide for himself!"
"You're quite hilarious!" Leigh sneered mockingly. "According to your logic, Ed should be a lifelong slave to your family just because your parents saved his life, correct?"
"Exactly!" Sophie affirmed firmly. "Kindness begets kindness. When someone receives a favor, they should repay it with overflowing gratitude! That's how it should be!"
Leigh raised an eyebrow. "So, even if you doubt and wrongly accuse him, he must endure it, right? Regardless of how you treat him, he can't fight back, can he?"
"No one has accused him unfairly!" Sophie insisted. "I saw it myself! I saw Edmund on Ashley's bed!"
Had she not witnessed it first-hand, her emotions might not have been utterly devastated. It was precisely because she had seen it with her own eyes. That scene was etched into her memory, impossible to erase. It haunted her like an insistent thorn, which led to her holding such deep animosity toward Edmund.
Edmund belonged to her! The thought of him being with another woman, even intimately, was unbearable for her. The image of Edmund and Ashley lying naked on the bed would fill her with jealousy and drive her to the brink of madness every time.
"Is what you witness always an absolute truth?" Madeline stared into Sophie's eyes and stated earnestly, "Seeing something first-hand doesn't always mean it's accurate. It could be manipulation or a
deliberate scheme. I've only known Ed for three years, but I trust him. Even if I witnessed him doing something questionable, I wouldn't immediately assume ill intent. You've known him since childhood, yet you lack trust in him. You have no right to demand anything from him."
Sophie wanted to retort but was interrupted.
"Your parents saved him, and the debt is between them. You've tortured Ed extensively, yet he hasn't uttered a single word of blame toward you. He has been extremely kind and devoted to you, even though you haven't given much in return. Yet, you expect him to be unwaveringly loyal to you and to have control over every aspect of his life. It's unfortunate for him to have encountered someone like you."
"What do you mean I haven't given anything in return?" Sophie angrily shouted, "I wanted to marry him back then! We would've already been married if he hadn't betrayed me!"
"So, you consider marrying Ed as a favor and charity to him?" Madeline looked at her coldly and continued, "Marriage is supposed to be a partnership, but it seems you view him as your slave. It's fortunate that he didn't marry you. Otherwise, he might have faced even more misfortune."
"You're spouting nonsense!" Sophie's anger was reaching its boiling point. "My parents saved his life and intended to have their only daughter marry him. How is that not a significant favor? He should be loyal to our family and willing to give up everything for us. If he wants to distance himself from the Foremans, he's heartless and ungrateful!"
"He—"
"Madeline, let's stop," Edmund interrupted. "If she thinks I'm heartless and ungrateful, then so be it. Are
you planning to fire me just because of her opinion?"
"Of course not," Madeline responded. "Ed, I don't trust her words. Everyone in our firm is courageous, loyal, and has a genuine heart."
"Then, let's leave it at that," he responded calmly. "She can say whatever she wants. After today, we probably won't cross paths again. She can curse me all she wants, but it won't affect me. There's no point in arguing with her."