Shrouded Affections Winning Back My CEO Wife

Chapter 278

Chapter 278:

“You can just tell me directly. I can only advise and guide you in your life without interfering too much,” Eileen said. The elevator door opened, and Eileen stepped out first. She and Roderick stood at the building’s entrance for a while. Then, Roderick said softly, “Eileen, honestly, Mom’s life hasn’t been good since she remarried. Our stepfather had some money, but after he was diagnosed with a terminal illness, he spent it all before he died…” He hesitated and lowered his head. “After that, things were tough. She raised me with great difficulty. I remember her holding me and a few times… She even arranged for someone to introduce me to a girlfriend. Judie’s parents didn’t want her to marry me, but Judie insisted. Her parents made things difficult by demanding a large dowry. I almost gave up then.”

At that time, Judie had been young and not so materialistic. She hadn’t known how poor Roderick and his mother had been, and she had fallen in love with him. Roderick had struggled to find a girlfriend who truly loved him, and since Judie had appeared, Denise had done bad things to keep Judie by Roderick’s side. Denise’s husband had bought an expensive cemetery plot for himself before he died, so Denise had used the plot. Roderick couldn’t believe she would dig up the ashes and move them elsewhere, but she had really done that.

The absurd part was that someone had actually been willing to buy the cemetery plot from Denise. Judie still didn’t know how Roderick got that large sum of money. Denise insisted he keep it a secret, fearing it would bring bad luck. Denise’s borrowing from loan sharks had caused Roderick significant pain. But before that, Denise had done her best to care for Roderick.

Eileen understood what Roderick was getting at. She didn’t know what to say. She had no personal feelings for Denise, treating the situation rationally, forgetting that Denise was Roderick’s mother and had lived with him for over twenty years.

“Eileen, I know I’ve let you down. I’ll take Mom and Judie back to South Town and talk to Bagot. I’ll work hard to make money and pay off the loan sharks. If Mom gambles again, I will not take care of her anymore,” Roderick said. Roderick was optimistic about his future. Just over twenty years old, he didn’t mind enduring some hardship. He continued, “I’ll make it clear to both of them. From now on, apart from family ties, we have nothing to do with each other. If Judie wants to stay with me, she’ll have to endure a few tough years. If not, I’ll divorce her.”

Eileen, hands in her pockets, considered the situation. She could give Roderick five hundred thousand dollars directly, but Judie and Denise would take advantage of her kindness toward Roderick, causing him more trouble.

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After a long pause, Eileen said softly, “Let me help you a bit.”

“Except for giving me money, you can do whatever you want,” Roderick would not refuse. He valued his sibling bond with Eileen.

Eileen sighed with relief. Seeing Roderick so familiar with her financial help before, she had thought he wouldn’t accept any help from her.

“Let’s go shopping first. We can have lunch at my mother’s house. In the afternoon, I’ll take you shopping for clothes and a phone. Then, you can call Judie and Denise to discuss your plans and see if they agree. After that, we’ll figure things out step by step,” Eileen said. She believed she had to find out what Denise and Judie were thinking before making a plan for Roderick. Roderick agreed right away. They picked up some gifts nearby and shared a meal with Ruby.

Ruby had met Roderick twice before. The last time Roderick and Judie had visited Eileen, Roderick had made a courteous visit to Ruby in the hospital. Despite limited interactions, they got along well. Roderick’s simplicity meshed well with Ruby’s laid-back nature, making their meal comfortable.

In the afternoon, Eileen and Roderick went to a mall to shop. After getting his new phone, Roderick immediately called Denise.

“Mom, where are you and Judie? Did Bagot find you?” he asked.

Since Eileen hadn’t paid Bagot, he would still ask Denise for money. A substantial sum like hundreds of thousands was not easy for them to ignore, prompting a possible trip from South Town to Onaland.

Previously, Bagot had pursued Denise for money, and Judie had kicked Denise out. So Denise was capable of surviving outdoors.

building, avoiding danger but suffering from hunger and cold. When Roderick’s call came, it made her excited. “Roderick, please help me! I raised you. I’m

where are you

Denise was clueless about her

Judie enraged Denise. “She kicked me out of the hotel and took all our money! I’m in some unfinished building. I

call ended before he could learn more. Attempts to call back were futile. Denise’s phone was off.

she was evicted from there by Judie, she couldn’t be far from there. Eileen found the hotel on a map and examined the area. Within ten minutes, she concluded Denise might be

asked Judie to

hour later, Judie arrived at the site in a taxi, her frown

Eileen’s car, she muttered, “I knew it! Eileen wouldn’t just leave Roderick

the unfinished building, Eileen and Roderick came upon Denise sobbing in a

had been too scared to use her cell phone recently. She had only managed to answer Roderick’s call just before her phone’s

footsteps approaching. Fearing it was Bagot, she covered her head and dropped to her knees. “Don’t hit me! I don’t have any money. You know my daughter; she has

face grew

and helped Denise to her feet, both angry and worried

caressed Roderick’s face, as though she couldn’t believe he was real. His face still bore some marks

but you must promise me no more gambling, okay?” Roderick brushed her hand aside and got straight to the

was anxious to get the response he wanted

greatly displeased at his words. Out of the corner of her eye, she

“Eileen, you can’t just stand by and watch us struggle like this! That’s half a million dollars! Roderick couldn’t earn that much on his own in a lifetime!

her expression indifferent as

handle this today on his own, it would only lead to more trouble

stayed

made her money on her own! Plus, you didn’t raise her.

Roderick’s outburst silenced Denise.

scene, overheard Roderick’s words and paused outside

life, you’ll return to

“her,” he referred to

about the gambling debt?” Judie asked.

should she and Roderick bear it? Why

negotiate with Bagot when we return. It might take

now because you’re desperate for money. That won’t work. You either stay here and face the consequences, or you come back with me and quit gambling. I’ll take care of your old debts.” He was prepared to