Chapter 325 The truth
Cynthia frowned. But hadn’t Darla said that Alana had actively seduced her son, making him fall for her? Who was telling the truth?
Cynthia glanced at Alana, then patted the spot next to her. “Lana, come sit next to me.”
Alana bit her lip, still feeling nervous.
Stephan raised his hand and patted her on the back. “Go on, I’m right here.”
Alana took a deep breath, walked over to Cynthia, and sat down as she’d been asked.
Cynthia could tell Alana was nervous. She thought to herself. This girl seems pretty innocent; she wears her heart on her sleeve and doesn’t seem like the type to play mind games.
She said, “What are you nervous about? It’s not like this is our first time meeting. Just like before, say whatever you want.”
Alana tugged at the skirt around her thighs and nodded.
Cynthia had a straightforward personality and always asked whatever was on her mind.
“Lana, tell me, how did you and my son first meet?”
Hearing this, Alana nervously tugged at her skirt again.
Stephan glanced at Alana, his thin lips twitching as he prepared to speak up and explain.
Cynthia noticed this, shot him a withering glance, and cut him off. “I wasn’t asking you!”
Stephan blinked, rapidly.
Alana wasn’t the type to lie easily. Since Cynthia had asked her, she hesitated for a moment but eventually spoke up.
“A few months ago, my best friend threw a birthday party and invited me. I got drunk, and we em... spent the night together...”
Cynthia watched Alana, who seemed to be holding back, and with her sharp mind, she managed to piece together a few clues.
“And then, when my son saw a pretty young woman like you intoxicated, he couldn’t resist his animal instincts, forced himself on you, and took advantage of you?”
Alana’s eyes dilated. “Um...”
She glanced helplessly at Stephan. How was she supposed to respond to that?
Stephan thick-skinnedly admitted, “Yeah, Mom, you guessed right.”
Cynthia sneered, “Just as I thought! It was you, you bastard, who took advantage of the girl, wasn’t it? No wonder she came to the hospital for a checkup the very next day. You treated her so brutally... don’t you have any shame?”
Stephan sighed, heavily.
Fine, go ahead and scold me.
You can scold him, but you can’t scold his sweetheart.
Cynthia glared fiercely at Stephan and asked, “So how did you two end up together after that?”
“I told you, I pestered her relentlessly. She couldn’t stand my enthusiasm, and she was won over by my irresistible masculine charm, so she agreed to be with me.”
Cynthia couldn’t help but glance at Alana.
Alana blushed with embarrassment at the man’s shamelessness, but she nodded anyway, effectively confirming Stephan’s words.
Cynthia realized that all of this was caused by her son’s inability to control himself, and had nothing to do with Alana actively scheming.
Besides, her son had said it was him who had been pestering Alana, it had nothing to do with Alana actively seducing him.
So, had she been too hasty in her judgment, misunderstanding a good girl?!
And yet, she had stormed over here ready to lay into her.
They were supposed to meet this weekend, but she’d come four or five days early.
Not only had she failed to prepare any gifts, but she’d also left the girl feeling anxious and uneasy the entire time.
Thinking about it this way, Cynthia couldn’t help but feel guilty. “Lana, I’m so sorry. Did my sudden visit today make you feel uncomfortable?”
Alana immediately shook her head. “No, I didn’t think that at all.”
“Oh, it’s my fault. I was just a little too eager.”
Alana replied earnestly, “I understand, Auntie. Don’t blame yourself.”
Cynthia thought to herself, Alana really is a thoughtful girl; she doesn’t seem like the type with a thousand tricks up her sleeve.
Besides, her son wasn’t stupid. If Alana really had ulterior motives, would she have been able to outmaneuver him?
She really was letting her concern get the better of her, she’d even gone so far as to doubt her son’s intelligence.
Cynthia sighed, “Lana, you’re truly beautiful inside and out. It’s rare. Even though my son treated you so badly back then, you were still willing to be with him. You must have a heart of gold. If it were me, my first instinct would have been to go straight to the police!”
Alana and Stephan gasped.
Alana couldn’t help but defend Stephan. “Actually, it wasn’t just Stephan’s fault. I was at fault too. There was em...consent...”
Cynthia said, “Even if you gave him consent! Does that give him the right to act like a beast?!”
Alana bit her lower lip.
She, too, was puzzled.
Stephan recalled what had happened that night. “I was a bit tipsy too, mom. Vance made me drink. Cut me some slack.”
So the problem lay with Stephan’s assistant, Vance.
Cynthia’s eyes widened. “What kind of assistant is that? He’s completely unreliable!”
“Yeah, I’ll cut his pay later.”
At that very moment, Vance, who was diligently working at the office, let out a loud sneeze.
He rubbed his nose. Strange... why did he suddenly feel a chill down his spine?
Cynthia paused for a moment, then changed the subject. “But that just goes to show that you two are meant to be together.”
She couldn’t help but take Alana’s hand and said earnestly, “Lana, no matter what, thank you for being willing to be with my son.”
Seeing Cynthia’s earnest expression, Alana felt a sudden lump in her throat for no apparent reason. She shook her head.
“No, I’m the one who should thank him for being willing to be with someone like me.”
Cynthia was puzzled. “Why do you say that? I know my son’s temper better than anyone, most girls can’t handle him. Back in the day, I set him up with plenty of potential partners, but he drove them all away. It’s rare that you can put up with him and are willing to be with him. I think you must be a reincarnation of a Bodhisattva to be able to handle this little devil!”
Stephan coughed.
Alana couldn’t help but interject, “No, he’s actually a really good person. He takes great care of me.”
Cynthia smiled. Deep down, as his mother, she knew her son’s personality all too well, typically cold on the outside but warm-hearted on the inside.
He usually seems cold and indifferent to everyone, but he’s incredibly attentive to those close to him.
As long as it’s a girl he likes, he’ll definitely go out of his way to win her over and take care of her.
“It’s only natural for him to look after you. If he didn’t, I’d be the one scolding him.”
Alana’s eyes welled up with tears, and she didn’t know how to respond.
Cynthia, seeing the tears welling up in Alana’s eyes, felt a bit flustered. “Why are you crying? Did I say something wrong?”
She wondered if she’d said something wrong.
Alana shook her head. “No, I’m just so happy... I’m crying tears of joy.”
Cynthia was at a loss for words, half-amused, half-concerned. “Silly girl, if you’re happy, you should be smiling... why are you crying?”
She was terrified she’d made her future daughter-in-law cry.
What was the difference between that and being a cruel mother-in-law?
Alana didn’t want to cry either; crying in front of her boyfriend’s mother was pretty embarrassing.
She sniffed and forced a smile.
Only then did Cynthia smile. “That’s better!”
She’d really been scared out of her wits just now.
Stephan suddenly spoke up, “Mom, let’s get back to the point. You’ve met my fiancée. Do you approve of our marriage?”
Upon hearing this, Alana couldn’t help but look nervously at Cynthia.
Cynthia shot Stephan a withering glance. She’d already referred to Alana as his daughter-in-law, how could she possibly object?