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Rodney snorted. “Ryan, you’re very cunning. No wonder you persuaded your parents earlier to approve of Jessica being the president of Snow Corporation. You’ve been plotting the whole thing from that moment on.”
After pausing for a moment, he turned to look at Nathan. “Uncle Nathan, don’t you understand? He has long since felt discontented being placed under you. He’s been eyeing Grandpa’s position as well. He wants to be head of the Snow family.”
This time, nobody refuted what Rodney said.
Everyone looked grave.
Their eyes were filled with rage when they stared at Ryan.
None of the elders would expect themselves to end up in a junior’s clutches.
Old Master Snow stood up in a fit of fury. “Ryan, you’d better get this straight. Was he right in saying that you’re eyeing my position and that you want to be the head of the Snow family?”
Ryan was rather disappointed.
Despite his incompetence, Rodney was good at tearing people apart.
“Grandpa, don’t you find yourself conflicting?”
Ryan let out a light sigh. “On one hand, you want me to be like my dad, but on the other hand, you want me to listen to you like a marionette, Do you think I can stand out among a pack of wolves? A wolf can run away. It might not be keen on being the wolf king, but it’s reluctant to listen to others. Of course, if you merely want me to be a marionette, the Snow family will not be able to stand out any further.”
Old Master Snow looked sullen and indignant. “That’s a part of your tactic, huh? I think you’re starting to act out when you’re not even experienced yet.”
Ryan sank to his kniees. “Grandpa, if all of you are unconvinced and afraid that I’ll be a threat t o your status, I can leave the family. I’m kneeling here not just for Mireya’s affair but also for m v own sake. It’s my life. The path I choose and how far I can go is my business. I don’t want to be your marionette.”
At that, Nathan said furiously, “Ryan, you need to get clear on this. If it weren’t for your uncle, grandpa, and me, would you have managed to come this far? Since you’ve used the Snow family’s resources, you need to shoulder responsibility for it.”
“Exactly.” Jason nodded. “Ryan, when did you… become like Rodney?”
“Don’t lump us together.”
Ryan’s indifferent tone was filled with disdain. “Dad, it’s true that the Snow family has nurtured me. However, you should know that ever since I graduated and started working for you, I wholeheartedly assisted you in becoming the prime minister. Especially during those few years when you were running for the position, I helped you to pull strings and suppress those who turned against you. Even when Senator Mead betrayed you, I personally instigated those on his side to revolt against him. You can’t focus on your own sacrifice and neglect my effort.”
At that moment, Nathan felt extremely embarrassed. “So that means I’ve been riding on your coattails, huh?”
“Dad, you said you wanted to train me while I serve as your secretary and that you’d appoint m e a higher position later. But in fact, you appointed me this position only because you don’t have anyone trustworthy around you.”
Ryan countered calmly, “As my dad, you should know my ability the most. I can be successful regardless of whether I’m in politics, business, or other scenes. Honestly, did you ever ask me what my ambition was when I was studying? No, and I’ve never told you that I wanted to be a doctor either. Having said that, I know I had no right to have ambition since you wanted to be the prime minister. Before you became prime minister, I had no choice but to be your stepping stone.
“Then, after becoming the prime minister, you want me to follow in your footsteps and marry a woman who will benefit me. I’m a human, not a robot.”
Nathan was momentarily stunned before he said in a huff, “I’m not forcing you to be the prime minister. As a man, you should at least climb to the top. Now that you insist on getting together with Mireya, your reputation will be in tatters. Do you know how grave the consequences will be if your political life is stained?”
“Stained?” Ryan was unbothered. “Am I having a mistress or an affair? Or am I involved with a married woman? No. I’m clean. How far I can go is proven through my ability. I don’t care even if I can’t climb any higher. Not everything will go as planned in life. I’m content as long a SI try my best.”
“You know full well that you can go further if you follow the path I’ve paved for you,” Nathan said earnestly “Dad, sometimes, social status isn’t everything. Happiness matters too.”
Ryan looked into Nathan’s eyes. “Everyone’s happiness is different. You yearn for admiration and respect from others. Being in power makes you feel happy. A lot of other people out there are unlike you, yet they can live happily as well. Furthermore, not everyone admires your status. Plus, the more powerful you are, the more responsibilities you have.”
Surprisingly, Nathan was speechless.
No doubt, he was happy to be the prime minister. Nevertheless, he had to live cautiously every day. Every decision he made and every international confrontation he attended would make him grow a few more strands of gray hair.
“Enough. Stop arguing.”
All of a sudden, Heidi said wearily, “I understand everyone’s feelings. From an adult’s perspective, we don’t want Ryan to be with Mireya because both their identities are a huge issue, and that will negatively impact the Snow family. However, it’s different when we consider the issue from the children’s standpoint. As Ryan said, he and Mireya are both single, not related by blood, and around the same age. They only got in a relationship because they have feelings for each other. They didn’t cross the moral boundaries, so there’s no need for us to take the moral high ground to tell them off.”
“Everyone’s aware that you acknowledge my ex-wife as your goddaughter. If the news that the prime minister’s son has done such a thing spreads, it’ll bring a negative impact on our nation.” Rodney did not want to let it go. Why was he was utterly discredited, yet Ryan and Mireya were fine?
“You know full well why we acknowledged Mireya as our goddaughter. What’s more, their identity documents don’t show that they’re connected, so everyone knows that they’re not related by blood.”
Heidi rose to her feet and looked at Rodney composedly. “They’re merely in a relationship, not married. There’s no need for you to stir up trouble.”
“You…” Rodney’s handsome face paled.
“What’s more…” Heidi interjected, “Mireya is your ex-wife. But legally speaking, you have nothing to do with Mireya from the moment you divorced her, except that both of you have a daughter. If I recall, Mireya has never caused trouble for you when you got married. I know you’re upset, but you can’t allow your rage and jealousy to blind you.
“Why are you standing here feeling mad? It’s because you think Mireya cheated on you. But why don’t you face your conscience and ask yourself? When you divorced Mireya, she had just given birth to her child. That was when her body was most feeble, yet she had to take care of her child. Would she have had the energy to have an affair? Of course, if laying the blame on someone else makes you feel better, I have no comment. I just feel sorry for your parents.
“To be honest, you don’t need to be so mad. From the moment you slept with Sarah and divorced Mireya, Mireya would eventually get in a relationship with another man even if that man wasn’t Ryan. It’s normal for couples to kiss and hug on the street. There’s nothing immoral about it.”
Heidi’s every word was spot on. Every sentence of hers was like a slap on his face.
Rodney’s expression turned pale and then red.
No doubt, he was aware of all those.
However, he refused to admit nor accept them.
“Enough. You’ve said so much, but have you ever considered my situation?” Rodney bellowed i n agony, “My ex-wife whom I loved deeply is in a relationship with my cousin. Who could take that?”
“That woman’s husband had an affair shortly after she gave birth to her child. Which woman could take that?”
Heidi questioned him sternly. “Well, what you mean by loving your wife deeply includes spending the night with another woman and insulting your wife in public upon knowing that she’s in a relationship, but that’s not deep love. You just want to ruin her life because you can’t have her.”
“No,” Rodney clenched his fists and screamed with reddened eyes.
Heidi ignored him. She turned around and said to Jason and Wendy, “Brother-in-law, Sister-i n-law, I’m saying these things not purely because I side with my son. From a woman’s perspective, I felt uncomfortable hearing that. If every man in Australia has the same mindset as his, I think fewer women will want to get married. I don’t understand how you discipline your son. He has become so unreasonable and has no respect to the elders.”
Jason and Wendy were both deeply ashamed.
In fact, many wealthy families have said that behind their backs. Nevertheless, it was their first time receiving such criticism directly.
Although they felt upset, they did not have reasonable grounds to argue with Heidi.
Was Rodney like what Heidi said?
Yes. Even Jason and Wendy felt terrible.
They wanted to send Rodney abroad, yet he refused to leave.
“Heidi, don’t speak to your brother-in-law and sister-in-law like that.” Old Master Snow said sternly, “We’re now talking about Ryan’s affair.”
“Alright, Dad. Let’s talk about Ryan’s affair, then.” Heidi nodded and sat up straight. “As a mother, I only wish my son to be happy and safe. I don’t have high expectations of him like you do. Even if he’s just an ordinary public servant, I’ll be content as long as he’s happy and safe. Perhaps he can climb to a higher position with his ability, and that’ll be gratifying for me as his mother. However, I won’t force my son to act according to my wish.”
Old Mater Snow’s expression shifted before he asked with a deep voice, “So do you think I’m wrong?”
“Heidi…” Nathan shot a threatening look at her and shook his head.
Heidi pretended as if she did not see it. “Dad, you’re quite a legend. One of your sons is a business prodigy, while the other is the prime minister. What else are you not content with? Even hundreds of years later, you have not let down the Snow family’s ancestors. If you’re dissatisfied, go ahead and force Ryan and Jessica if you could. I have no comment.”
Stung by her criticism, Old Master Snow felt bitter.
He felt that Heidi was satirizing him.
Everyone knew he still had a say in the Snow family because of his seniority, as well as Nathan and Jason.
In fact, Jessica was often away on business, and when she returned, she would hardly speak to Old Master Snow. She would not tell him anything related to the company’s matters.
As such, how could he influence his granddaughter’s thoughts?
He would not be able to influence Ryan as well unless Nathan forced the latter.
Nathan could sense Old Master Snow’s embarrassment, so he promptly said, “The point of our discussion today isn’t Ryan’s prospects but Mireya and Ryan’s affair.”
“Right. How are you going to deal with it?” Old Master Snow nodded and resumed his domineering style.
“Dad, Nathan and I will settle it.” Heidi said casually, “They’re merely in a relationship. They’re not getting married.”
Disgusted, Old Master Snow sneered, “So am I supposed to be told about it only when he’s getting married?”
“Dad, Heidi didn’t mean it…” Nathan quickly comforted him.
