Chapter 200 - JL International Anniversary Ball (3)

16 February, Star Dream Hotel, City K

Anthony's shouting drew the attention of everyone present. Matthew observed Phillip walking towards their parents. Before he could move, Lexi pulled her hand from his and headed after Phillip. Matthew followed closely behind the two of them quickly catching up with Lexi and he took her hand in his.

As they arrived, they heard Phillip say "Mother, Father, so good of you to join us. We have a place set aside for you on one of the premier tables for the night."

Anthony Rong spat out "Do not try and avoid the discussion. You know we would never have approved of those charities and yet you selected them. Get up there and announce that you made a mistake and you are donating all funds from tonight to the Cathedral restoration fund. Why would we support causes that are against all norms?"

Lexi, having heard this, decided that she was going to have her say. "Mother, Father…"

"You stick out of this Lexi Yao, you have no business being involved in this conversation, and are only with these two ungrateful brats to make things seem normal."

Lexi knew that Matthew could deal with the constant disapproval of his parents, as they never agreed with his choices. Phillip and Chester did not deserve this attitude for simply following their hearts.

"My family made sure that I knew that I should respect my elders, but this is unacceptable. You only control thirty percent of the shares of JL International, with Phillip and Matthew owning the rest. No company would let a minority shareholder dictate what happens. And, there is no way that your oldest son would have decided without at least giving you a chance to have your say and considering your opinion. However, I suspect that he did not ignore your opinion, he asked, and you kept him waiting for a decision and he reached a point he had to act without your input."

"So, what, as you said respecting your elders, particularly your parents is what any child should have done. He should have waited until we made up our mind what the appropriate charity should be before making any announcement." Anthony paused and directly looked at Lexi before saying, "Now, get out of her you brat."

"I might be a brat in your eyes, but you are acting so childish. While my son has tantrums, and for any child under ten years of age, any parent expects it and can deal with it. Your tantrum is so unbecoming of any a.d.u.l.t, particularly in such a public manner. You want to dispute something, do it privately, not cause a scene here."

"You can talk about being a parent, you abandoned your three-week old son and have only just come back. You have no right to tell us off," added Alice Rong.

Matthew and Phillip, watching Lexi attack their parents, could only look at each other and shake their heads. They both wondered would Lexi drop another bombshell on her in-laws and announce her marriage. Matthew knew that they had not publicly announced it, but nor had they kept it hidden.

"Abandoning my son, never. I was only seventeen when I married, eighteen when Richard died. I became a mess after his death and knew that there was no way that I could care for Dominic properly. I needed to sort myself out firstly, so I arranged for his care with my brother, who I knew would do the right thing by Dominic. I spent regular time with Dominic and when I was in the position that I knew I could be a full-time parent; I came back as soon as I could transfer my life back here. You tell me, would you have been able to cope in that situation."

"As I said you were not a parent, and do not know how to be a parent, so do not talk to us about our behaviour. You are …"

"Do not go there mother, you do not want to…"

"Who said you can call me mother. I have no daughter or daughter-in-law. That one," pointing to Phillip "is going against nature, and that one" pointing to Matthew "abandoned the family to do what people like us never do and therefore he has no right to be here."

"He has every right to be here. Regardless of anything else Phillip wanted him here. Keep your prejudices to yourself and stop ruining the event or watch me make a real scene."

"What do you think you have been doing?"

"Responding to you, father. And before you say I do not need your retort that I have no basis to call you father. I have every right and will do so."

Anthony Rong, feeling out of control in the situation responded, "You brat, you have no right."

Lexi moved back and took Matthew's hand before saying "I do, ever since your son and I married. You think I am not married, go ask President Dong, who can confirm it. You want to hurt or humiliate those who are close to me, my son, my brothers, my favourite brother-in-law, Matthew, you better watch out as this mother bear will attack and defend them. Family is important, and it comes in every shape and size. Family to you must confirm and outside that conformity is nothing to you. You know, I respect those Phillip met while undergoing treatment who were willing to sacrifice for those who needed it in their family, you never would unless it gained you something."

Lexi paused and turned to Phillip saying, "Can you ask the auctioneer to add another item to the public auction, LY Studio will design a one-of-a-kind piece of clothing for the winner, it is the least I can do."

Sensing that Lexi wanted to leave without his parents saying anything, Matthew turned and gently led Lexi toward the table that they were sitting at, before saying "You had it in for them."

"Matthew, they deserved it. Regardless of the situation of our marriage I have a bottom line and they crossed it. They only have themselves to blame for the situation, and if that means they never forgive me for what I did, who cares."

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