Nicole was fast to answer Haris's call. "Hello, Harris," she greeted with a hint of enthusiasm in her voice despite the issues they were going through.
"Nicole, thanks for taking my call. I need to talk to you regarding the recent interview you had. You didn't have to defend me."
"I only did what is right, Harris."
"You don't understand Nicole," Harris said sternly. "Your Dad will surely retaliate because of what you did. He won't let your family's reputation ruin."
"You don't have to worry about that; I'll talk to Dad. Harris, I want to make it up to you. I did horrible things, and now, I only want to do what is right to clear my conscience before leaving and starting a new life. Even if you can't forgive me, I still want to correct my mistakes."
"I appreciate you doing that, Nicole. But you don't know what your Dad is capable of doing. He paid two of our board members to try to oust me as chairman of Thompson Group. I assumed this was his revenge when I insulted him during our last meeting. I'm sorry, Nicole, but your Dad thinks highly of himself, and whoever dares to oppose him should bear the consequences. And because of your confession, now he will shift his anger to me again."
"I'm sorry Dad did that to you. I promise to fix this. Harris, I'm not the old Nicole Dad used to boss around every time. I will stand for what is right."
Silence dominated between the before, and Nicole talked again. "Since you told me about what Dad did to you. I think you have the right to know what your Mom did to me, too."
"What is it?" Harris asked, his voice stern.
"It was Marian who leaked about the infertility issue 3 years ago, she admitted to me when I confronted her. I always knew it was someone close to us who betrayed us, but I wasn't expecting it was your Mom."
"Thanks for letting me know, Nicole."
The conversation with Nicole weighed on Harris's mind, leaving him deep in thought. He paced back and forth in his study. His emotions were in turmoil as he grappled with the revelation that his own mother, Marian, was behind the release of Nicole's infertility news three years ago.
"Harris, calm down. What's the matter?" Mallory caught Harris, pacing back and forth in the living room as she was about to go to the kitchen to get a glass of water.
"Nicole told me it was my Mom who leaked the infertility news three years ago. She did it on purpose. It was the time that George Hudson strongly approved of my engagement with Nicole to help save their reputation. George is ashamed to have an infertile daughter, so having his daughter engaged would look good on society."
"I don't understand. I thought your family were close friends for generations."
Harris drew a deep breath. "There are two things George prioritized; his reputation and his legacy in business. He thought Thompson Group wasn't strong of a business merger as we were struggling financially by the time of my engagement with Nicole. It was the main purpose of my Mom convincing Anna Hudson to engage me with Nicole."
"I get it now! It seems your Mom and George weren't so different after all. They will do anything for their reputation and business."
"Yes, baby. I'm sorry you have to experience this with me."
"Oh, please! I'm here for you." Mallory hugged Harris to console him.
Harris shared everything to make Mallory understand the situation he was going through. The need to address the situation with his mother had become more pressing than ever. They retreated to his library to make a difficult phone call.
Harris dialed his mother's number, his tone firm yet tinged with frustration. Marian answered after a few rings, her voice smooth and poised. "Harris, son, what a pleasant surprise," Marian answered pleasantly.
"Cut the act, Mother. We need to talk," Harris retorted.
Marian's voice shifted, sensing the seriousness in her son's tone. "Very well, Harris. What's on your mind?"
"Nicole told me everything about the infertility rumor. She said you confessed to her you were the one who leaked the infertility issue 3 years ago. Do you know anything about this?"
There was a brief pause on the other end of the line, and then Marian replied, her voice strained. "I have no idea what she's talking about."
"Don't lie, Mother," Harris commanded. "Nicole was certain it was you who leaked the news three years ago and you were also the one behind the recent revelation. You even made a confession to her. The recent one wasn't surprising at all. I knew you had Dominic helped you. But the one three years ago was insane. You knew how hard it was for Nicole. You're a woman too."
Marian hesitated, then let out an exasperated sigh, dropping her pretenses. "What's the big deal, Harris? I did it to secure your future," she said defensively. "We needed the Hudson merger, and I took matters into my own hands. Sometimes, one has to make sacrifices for the family."
"Sacrifices, Mother?" Harris thundered. "Sacrificing my happiness and ruining Nicole's life? That's not a sacrifice; it's sabotage. And it's something I won't tolerate."
"Harris, please understand," Marian begged. "I did it out of love for you. I thought I was doing what was best."
"Love shouldn't involve hurting people, especially your own son," Harris said sternly. "I made the right decision to get rid of you from my life. I can't have you meddling in Mallory and Harriet's lives. You've gone too far."
Marian's voice quivered, and she realized the depth of the rift that had grown between her and her son. "Harris, please don't shut me out. I know I've made mistakes, but I'm still your mother. I want to be a part of your life and Harriet's. It's been a while since I haven't seen Harriet. I miss my granddaughter. Please let me see her."
"Goodbye, Mother!"
The conversation ended with a heavy silence. Marian grappled with the consequences of her actions and the strain it had placed on her relationship with her son. Harris knew that mending this divide wouldn't be easy, and the road ahead was uncertain.
He had known his mother was manipulative, but this betrayal cut deeper than he had ever imagined. Mallory watched him, her heart aching for the turmoil he was going through.
"Harris, are you okay?" Mallory asked softly.
Harris stopped his pacing and turned to face her, his face etched with a mix of anger and sadness.
"I never thought I'd say this, but I'm not surprised. My mother, Marian, she's capable of anything to get what she wants." Harris laughed bitterly.
Mallory reached out, gently placing a hand on his shoulder, trying to provide comfort. "I can't even begin to imagine what you're feeling right now, Harris."
Harris took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. He appreciated Mallory's presence and understanding more than words could express. "I called Nicole to confront her about her press interview, but she told me everything. She's decided to come clean, face her father, and the consequences of her actions."
"It takes courage to stand up against your own family, especially someone as powerful as George Hudson."
Harris nodded, his admiration for Nicole's newfound resolve clear in his eyes. "Yes, it does. I told her that she didn't need to do this, especially if she knew the storm it would bring. But she insisted on doing what's right."
Mallory's admiration for both Nicole and Harris grew. The strength to do what was right, even when faced with adversity, was a testament to their characters. She wrapped her arms around Harris, offering the warmth of her embrace, a silent assurance that together, they could face any challenge.
As they stood in the quiet of his library, Harris felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the woman in his arms and the newfound strength that Nicole had discovered. They were ready to face the future, united and unbreakable, even the powerful and influential George Hudson.