SWNOVELS Chapter 28
Chapter 28
As soon as Pearl revealed her true identity, especially when she mentioned “Ken Woolery,” the expressions of everyone present changed.
Jacob was so shocked that he stood up and exclaimed, “What? Ken is your dad?!”
Marc furrowed his brow.
Ken, even though he had passed away three years ago, still had a prominent name. Virtually everyone in high society knew him.
Ken was a business genius. The Woolery Group he had founded became Nanston’s top enterprise in just half a year. Within a year, Woolery Jewelry was known nationwide. Two years later, it was in direct competition with Males Jewelry. Three years later, it defeated Males Jewelry and became the exclusive distributor for Utopia Diamond Trading Company. Four years later, it again triumphed over Males Jewelry, becoming the preferred diamond dealer for Ridge International Mining. In an instant, it joined the ranks of internationally renowned luxury brands.
Ken’s success had been meteoric. He had expanded into real estate, hotels, film and television, dining, and more. People could see the Woolery family’s advertisements everywhere. Woolery Group had become the Males Group’s strongest competitor. Woolery Group had entered the ranks of the top 500 companies in the country, and Ken himself had made it to the lists of world–famous personalities and top billionaires.
Jacob and Christopher, both of whom had been on the losing side in business battles against Ken, still held a grudge against him. Although Ken had passed away, mentioning. his name brought back those old feelings of bitterness and resentment.
Pearl nodded. She had always known about the complicated history between the Woolery Group and the Males Group. Three years ago, she had been afraid that the Males family would object to her marriage with Marc because of her background, so she decided to hide her identity.
“You’re Ken’s daughter? Why did you marry into our family? What’s your real purpose?” Jacob’s tone was accusatory.
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Jacob was far from composed when he heard that Pearl was Ken’s daughter. Since his defeat at Ken’s hands years ago, Ken had been his shadow. He could not let go of that loss. Even now that Ken was dead, he still harbored a deep resentment toward him. Therefore, when it came to Ken’s daughter Pearl, he naturally had a negative impression. In his eyes, Pearl must have infiltrated the Males family with some hidden agenda.
“Jacob, lower your voice. What are you shouting about?” Brooke scolded his son. Then, he looked at Pearl and said more gently, “Pearl, don’t be afraid. Take your time to explain.”
Jacob’s impolite interrogation, treating her like an ill–intentioned villain, genuinely irritated Pearl. She had the urge to respond with cutting words, but upon seeing Brooke and Mandy, she decided against it. She held immense respect for Brooke and Mandy, and Jacob was their son. She did not want to embarrass Brooke and Mandy, so she chose to ignore. Jacob’s rude questioning.
Her voice remained calm as she explained. “I know that the Males and Woolery families have been competitors, engaged in many trade wars. Later, we reached a truce and divided the market along the Lunar River, with the Males family in the north and the Woolery family in the south. Since then, we have avoided direct competition.”
Pearl, upon seeing Brooke nod in agreement, continued her explanation. “Three years ago, after my parents passed away, I was entrusted with taking over Woolery Group. However, due to internal family conflicts, I temporarily stepped down. During these years, Woolery Group, under the management of my uncles Ralph and Errol, has declined rapidly and nearly faced bankruptcy. Jacob’s suspicion that I had ulterior motives for marrying into the Males family is understandable. But if I truly had malicious intentions, why would I let Woolery Group deteriorate to its current state? During these three years, I have lived quietly in the Males family, never crossing any boundaries. You can ask Marc for confirmation.”
Her gaze shifted toward Marc as she mentioned his name. Marc had been lost in thought, pondering certain matters. When he heard Pearl address him, he looked up, caught off guard by her gaze,
However, before he could react, Pearl quickly withdrew her gaze as if her glance had been
casual.
In response to the family’s expectant looks, Marc softly said, “Yes,” serving as a witness for Pearl.
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On the day Pearl left the Males House with nothing, he did have suspicions about her identity. He could not believe an ordinary woman would refuse two million dollars and not take a single cent. She had been a homemaker for three years and had no income. It was implausible that she would not want that money.
Therefore, he considered two possibilities. Either she truly did not care about money or did not need it. At the moment, it seemed like Pearl might be a combination of both.
As Ken’s cherished daughter, she had undoubtedly grown up with all the comforts, and money was not something she cared about or lacked. Otherwise, she would not have injected billions of dollars into Woolery Group overnight to revive it.
However, one thing he could not fathom, and Pearl had not explained clearly, was the reason she married him in the first place.
Marc did not need to prove anything. Over the years, Pearl’s actions in the Males family had been observed by its members. She had been considerate and attentive to everyone, taking care of their daily lives. She had been flawless in her conduct, without any
shortcomings or anyone bearing grudges against her.
Brooke and Mandy had not harbored any resentment towards Pearl despite her background as a member of the Woolery family.
Brooke brought Pearl closer and said, “Pearl, don’t pay too much attention to Jacob’s attitude. He’s still upset because he lost to your dad years ago. It’s not about your personally. The past is in the past, and business competition is normal. Don’t let it bother you.”
Mandy held Pearl’s hand, her expression kind and gentle. “We know what kind of person you are, Pearl. You’ve brought so much joy to us over the years. Since you’ve returned, don’t leave. Stay with us. Let’s be a happy family. Marc, what do you say?”
Brooke and Mandy enthusiastically tried to persuade Pearl to stay, their words subtly hinting at a future with Marc. Amanda and Caleb chimed in, playfully nudging Marc and
making suggestive gestures.
Phoenix, on the other hand, took a more direct approach. She gave his son a strong push, propelling Marc toward Pearl.
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Marc stumbled forward when Phoenix pushed him with such force, nearly falling onto Pearl. He struggled to regain his balance just in time. On the other hand, Pearl looked at him with a playful smile and did not try to help him.
As everyone around them teased and laughed, Marc felt embarrassed and wanted to get angry, but somehow, under Pearl’s mocking gaze, he could not muster up any anger. It was like his engine had suddenly stalled, and he could not rev it up.
He did not understand why Pearl looked at him like that, as if observing a small animal.
This was not the first time they had been pushed together in such a way over the past three years. The family had been trying to set them up, but love could not be forced. Pearl had learned the bitterness of love through her experiences.
“Marc and I are already divorced. The divorce process should be finalized today, and from now on, we’ll be leading separate lives.” Pearl smiled gently and added, “I came here today to say goodbye and thank you all for taking care of me these past three years. If you ever miss me, you’re welcome to visit Nanston. The roses are in full bloom now, and they look beautiful.”
Marc stood quietly in the rain, watching Pearl wave her farewell to the family. He said, “I’ll walk her to the car.”
He opened a large umbrella and walked alongside Pearl as they left the mansion. They walked in silence, neither of them saying a word.
Her unique scent of roses seemed to intensify in the rain, enveloping his senses, and it inexplicably reminded him of the rose–shaped seal she had given him and the yet–to–bloom roses in the Males House courtyard.
Three cars were waiting at the entrance of the Males House to pick up Pearl. They were all lined up in a row.
Mason, the assistant, and four other assistants, two men and two women, stood by the cars, holding umbrellas. As soon as Pearl came out, Mason approached her. Another assistant opened the car door, waiting attentively by the side.
“Thank you,” Pearl politely thanked them before waving and saying her goodbyes to Marc.
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Marc suddenly called out as she was about to step into the car. “Can I ask you a question?”
Pearl paused and turned to face him.
Marc cleared his throat and asked, “Why did you marry me in the first place?”
“Didn’t you choose me?” Pearl replied calmly.
Marc was momentarily stunned. He suddenly remembered that it was indeed him who had pointed at Pearl among the medical staff, saying, “Her.”
He had personally chosen her, and he had personally abandoned her.