Chapter 196: Stellan Storm, I Underestimated You
Marigold’s heart raced when she heard Galatea’s calm voice on the other end of the line. Galatea had said she would think things over, and now, Marigold awaited her decision with bated breath.
“How did your considerations go?” Marigold asked, her voice edged with nervousness.
If Galatea agreed to leave Arizona permanently and never return, Marigold might be generous enough to allow her a few visits with her child each year. But Galatea’s answer shattered those hopes.
“I won’t agree to the conditions you mentioned,” Galatea replied firmly, her voice unwavering.
“What did you just say?” Marigold’s shock was palpable, her unease growing. “You won’t agree to my conditions? You don’t want to see your son? Don’t forget, he’s in my hands now, and you have no right to choose!”
Galatea’s tone was icy as she responded, “Marigold Rogers, I’ve made it clear. I can agree to any reasonable conditions you propose. I just want my son back. But your choice isn’t reasonable. Not only are you refusing to return my son, but you want me to hand over two other children as well. I simply won’t agree to such arrogant demands. We were once family, and I truly didn’t want things to escalate, but you’ve pushed me to this point.”
Marigold’s mind raced. What had Galatea planned now? It seemed like Alaric’s support had given her an unexpected confidence, and the thought made Marigold’s blood boil.
Staring at her, Marigold sneered, her voice dripping with contempt. “Stellan Storm, you really don’t know your place. Meeting with you is already a show of respect. You should understand, it’s easy for me to crush you right now. What do you have to fight me with?”
Galatea’s response was calculated and calm. “I know you, Marigold Rogers. You’re wealthy, powerful—indeed, far more influential than I am. But don’t think for a second that I’m some helpless woman who can be bullied into submission. I won’t let you exploit me like you did six years ago. I’ve contacted the media. If you continue to refuse my son, I will hold a press conference and expose everything from the past.”
“What did you say?” Marigold’s voice was a strangled hiss of disbelief, before it quickly escalated into rage. “You want to hold a press conference and expose everything from the past? Stellan Storm, have you lost your mind? You had children for money, such despicable behavior—and you have the nerve to expose it?”
“My child is far more important than my dignity,” Galatea corrected her sternly, cutting through Marigold’s accusations. “And let me make one thing perfectly clear: back then, both of us benefitted from the situation. I didn’t just have children for your son. We were legally married. I am your daughter-in-law by law. Whether that marriage was genuine—only you know. But if it was, then I am your son’s wife. If it wasn’t, then you were deceiving me from the start, and the embarrassment falls on you, not me.”
Galatea’s voice grew colder with each word. “If your son is in a new marriage, and he doesn’t know about my existence, then you’ve been deceiving him. If he does know and still wants me to stay silent, then that tells you exactly what kind of people you both are. But once the truth comes to light, his new marriage will be affected. Scandals in high society are like wildfire, and no matter how much power you have, you can’t control public opinion or the voices of the people. Your reputation, your family’s name—they’re at risk, Marigold Rogers. If you return my child to me, I promise I will bury the truth and never show my face in your family again. This is a very advantageous deal for you.”
Marigold’s heart pounded in her chest as Galatea’s words hit her like a thunderclap. Her face twisted with a mix of fury and fear.
She had always underestimated Galatea, but now, she realized just how wrong she had been. If she gave Galatea back her child, would Alaric allow it? Would he truly agree to let her leave? The very thought enraged Marigold, who had always viewed Galatea as a mere pawn to be used, not a woman capable of standing up to her.
Mockingly, she spat, “Stellan Storm, I underestimated you. How dare you threaten me like this?”
Galatea’s voice was unwavering. “Marigold Rogers, as I told you earlier, I never wanted this situation to become more embarrassing, but you’ve left me no choice. And from your words and actions, it’s clear you’ve never seen me as your daughter-in-law—you’ve only ever viewed me as a tool to give your son children. You even look down on me, thinking I was just a cheap woman you could manipulate. But if you thought so lowly of me, why did you seek me out in the first place? Why did you let me marry into your family and have children for your son? I did everything as you asked. I had the child, your son survived the crisis, and once my usefulness was over, you kicked me aside. Marigold Rogers, who is the despicable one here? Me, or you?”
“Stellan Storm!” Marigold’s fury reached a boiling point. “You despicable woman, how dare you speak to me like this!”
Galatea’s voice was cold, her words cutting through the air. “Marigold Rogers, I advise you not to underestimate a mother. You will never know what lengths a mother will go to for her child. I’ve already filed a report at the police station and written my will. If anything happens to me, my will will be made public, and you won’t walk away unscathed. If you won’t let me live in peace, then we’ll go down together.”
Galatea’s words echoed in the silence as she hung up, leaving Marigold seething with rage. She had no time to react before the reality of the situation hit her.
She felt a sharp pain in her chest, her breath shallow. Throwing her phone in frustration, she stumbled, her heart racing as if it were about to give out. Joe, sensing her distress, rushed to her side.
“Mrs. Marigold, please calm down!” Joe urged, his voice anxious. “Let’s get you your heart medication.”
Marigold barely heard him, her mind consumed with anger. She took the pill with trembling hands, and after a few moments, the sharp pain subsided. Still, her fury burned.
“This is outrageous! Stellan Storm, this despicable woman, she dares trample over me! To go against my wishes, then turn around and threaten me… Damn her!”
Before she could vent further, another staff member rushed in with urgent news. “Mrs. Marigold, Mr. Alaric Junior has returned.”
Marigold stormed out, seething with rage, her anger boiling over. Joe hurried after her, trying to calm her. “Mrs. Marigold, please, don’t get so agitated. Calm down.”
But Marigold was beyond listening. She marched straight toward Alaric, her voice sharp with fury. “Alaric, let me make this clear. This house cannot have both Galatea and me. If you truly want to bring that woman into this house, then I will die to show you!”