In the living hall downstairs, Marissa was awakened by Aria's cries.
"Hansen, have you ever wondered if it really was a good decision to let Aria join the entertainment industry?" Marissa had witnessed everything, and when Aria calmed down, she ordered Larry to invite Hansen down to have a conversation with him.
She had wanted to talk to him about it long ago, but she couldn’t find this opportunity at all on usual days. Hansen would either accompany Jenna or be engaged by Aria. It was difficult for her to find the right time to talk to him about it.
However, Hansen's attitude was becoming obvious now. He was obviously biased toward Jenna. She felt that it was not that good for him to do so, so she invited him down before he fell asleep.
"Mom, I really thought it through before coming to this decision. This is the best for her." Hansen knew Marissa's mind, so he had to explain patiently. "She won't be able to have a bright future by staying in my company. She has a talent in acting and she should be allowed to develop her talent. We can't selfishly keep her in the company. We should instead give her an equal opportunity to advance her own career. She will feel a lot more enriched in life with a career of her own."
Hansen was explaining his thoughts rationally.
However, Marissa frowned. Her face was stern and she solemnly asked, "Hansen, I ask you, are you trying to send Aria away by doing this? You are only doing this out of guilt and you want to make it up to her, right?"
When she asked the question, even Hansen was taken aback. Was his intention that obvious? However, he smiled bitterly and said, "Mom, how can you say that? Aria is now involved in this and she cannot see it from the bigger picture. We can't allow her to go deeper as it will ruin her future. After all, there's still time now for her to head towards the right path."
"Do you really think so?" Marissa said sharply, "Hansen, you initially promised to marry her. You also know that the daughter-in-law of the Richards family does not need to be outside working as a star. Even an outsider like me can tell that you are giving up on her with such an arrangement. Think about it, how sad Aria is during this period? She is not a fool, she must know what's going on. Have you even thought of the reason? Or are you completely attracted to Jenna now that you are ready to remarry her?"
These words were thrown at Hansen's heart like a bomb, which blew him up for a while.
In fact, he had always been following his own feelings all this while. He really hadn’t considered much. Everything that had happened till this date had occurred naturally without any thoughts. He had not thought of the consequences either.
Marissa saw Hansen's expression of uncertainty and hesitation, and sighed. "Hansen, you are a man. You must be responsible in whatever you do. If you sway so frequently and become this hesitant in relationships, you're going to hurt two women at the same time. Besides, didn’t you used to hate Jenna a lot before? Why are you treating her totally differently now?"
Hansen's pupils were as deep as the ocean, shimmering and mysterious.
"Mom, this is my business. I know how to deal with it, and yes, I hated Jenna before, but you have also seen what kind of woman Jenna is and what Aria did. Never mind who's right and wrong, I am going to choose a woman who suits me, Mom. Please don't meddle in my business in the future. I am very confused now, but I know what to do," Hansen said, annoyed.
Marissa was secretly surprised. As expected, his heart was already biased toward Jenna. Although he didn't want to admit it, anyone with a discerning eye could tell.
What about Aria? How was he to answer to Mayor McAdams about her?
Marissa was not confused. She was irritated by the fact that Grandma Richards valued Jenna a lot, and that she even gave the inheritance of Richards Manor to Jenna. Every time she thought that Jenna was the person her mother-in-law liked, she didn't have much favor for Jenna, partly because she did not have a good impression of her mother-in-law either.
"Hansen, don’t forget, Aria is the daughter of Mayor McAdams, a well-respected person. Don’t offend Mayor McAdams and subsequently cause harm to the Richards Group. You need to keep in mind that Richards Group must not get into trouble. Furthermore, the Camphor Tree Villa issue is still up in the air, and Earl McAdams is in charge of this. If you offend Mayor McAdams now, it will be very troublesome," Marissa persuaded earnestly.
"There are many women. If you like her, you can keep her. If she really loves you, she will stay for you. She will also act according to the greater good. I solemnly tell you now: Your official wife must be Aria McAdams. You must marry her as your wife. Of course, if you want to marry Jenna as a concubine and if she agrees to it, I will not oppose it, and you don't need to worry that Aria will oppose it either. I can prepare her mentally for what's going to happen. You are a wise man, so you know who to choose."
Marissa put forward her own point of view concisely, strongly and decisively, leaving no room for Hansen to oppose.
This made Hansen confused. He also understood what Marissa meant. She wanted him to marry these two women at the same time, and the reason why she agreed to him marrying Jenna was probably because of the inheritance of Richards Manor.
After getting along these days, other people might not understand Jenna, but he knew her.
That woman was so proud; how could she marry him as a concubine? Besides, she was still unclear now, and she was just staying here out of purpose. Once she got what she wanted, what was she planning to do?
Hearing Marissa's words, Hansen laughed bitterly. He was very impatient with Marissa's arbitrary interference.
"Mom, I will solve the Camphor Tree Villa issue. There is no need to rely on marriage nepotism to solve it or I will not be able to man up in the future. You should just worry less about my affairs." Hansen left the living hall, irritated, after finishing this sentence.
Standing downstairs looking up at his wedding room with Jenna, there was only a dim light on. She was probably asleep by now. He then lit a cigar and took a few hard puffs while pondering over what had just happened.
After a long time, he drove out in his Hummer.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Cutie, Please Marry Me Again (Jenna and Hansen)