Chapter 291: Bearing the Disgrace

Robert Lancaster looked as if he had just seen salvation. The look of despair and anguish on his face vanished in an instant.

He looked at Sylvia Lancaster, his eyes filled with hope, and asked in a voice hoarse with excitement, "Did that Miss White person really say that? Is Bernard Simmons really willing to help us?"

If the Simmons Family was willing to help find a place to live and provide supplies, then the Lancaster Family’s current predicament would be solved!

Robert felt a surge of gratitude. He never would have thought that Bernard Simmons, with whom he wasn’t particularly close, would be so kind as to offer the Lancaster Family a helping hand.

Since his downfall, Robert had tried contacting his old business partners to ask for help, but no one was willing. Some wouldn’t even answer his calls, blocking his number outright!

They were all businessmen. No one wanted to make a losing investment. The Lancaster Family had nothing left, so there was no reward for helping them.

Besides, with the natural disaster, everyone was struggling. Who would be overcome with charity at a time like this?

But to his surprise, Bernard Simmons was willing to lend a hand at a time like this!

’Bernard Simmons might seem frivolous and a bit of a playboy,’ Robert thought, ’but his character is actually quite good!’

Meeting Robert’s surprised expression, Sylvia Lancaster continued, "However, Mr. Simmons said he has a wish of his own that he hopes we can help with..."

Hearing this, the surprise on Robert’s face gave way to a hint of confusion.

’Help?’ The Lancaster Family had nothing now. How could they possibly help the powerful Simmons Family?

So, Robert asked with a puzzled look, "A wish... what kind of wish? In our current state, what kind of help could we possibly offer?"

Under Robert’s questioning gaze, Sylvia feigned difficulty and said, "Dad, I really don’t dare to say it... I’m afraid you’ll get angry if you hear it..."

Robert frowned slightly and replied, "I won’t get angry. Just tell me what’s going on. Look at the situation we’re in. Now is not the time to hem and haw!"

’Things have already reached this point. The family is about to be homeless, freezing to death on the streets. What right do I have to be angry?’

As long as the Simmons Family was willing to help, anything was negotiable!

’A real man knows when to bend! I’d even be willing to kowtow to Bernard Simmons!’

Sylvia twisted the hem of her cotton coat, a troubled expression on her face. Lowering her head, she said in a small voice, "Mr. Simmons said... he was very fond of Mom in the early years, and even after all this time, he’s never forgotten her... He hopes... he hopes Mom could have dinner with him alone..."

At this point, Sylvia seemed unable to continue, her face flushing bright red.

She suddenly shot up from the bed, covering her mouth theatrically. While cautiously glancing at Robert, she said in a rush, "Never mind, never mind, Dad, this is definitely not okay! Just pretend I never said anything! We’ll think of another way!"

After hearing Sylvia’s words, the excitement on Robert’s face slowly faded, replaced by an incredibly grim expression.

Sylvia had only said "have dinner"... but Robert wasn’t a fool!

He had navigated the business world for years and had been around the block more than enough times. He naturally understood the true meaning behind her words!

’Bernard Simmons wants to make a cuckold out of me!’

’I can’t believe it,’ Robert thought, grinding his teeth. ’After all these years, Bernard Simmons is still obsessed with Elaine Hughes! Even though we’re both married with children, he still wants a taste of The Lover he never had a chance with back then...’

His old rival, a man he had defeated, was now proposing to sleep with his wife as a condition for help. Robert felt as if he had been slapped hard across the face, his cheeks burning with a stinging pain!

His face flushed crimson, veins bulged on his forehead, and his eyes filled with rage and shame.

Seething, he took a few deep breaths in silence, closed his eyes, and clenched his jaw. His hands balled into fists so tight his nails dug deep into his palms.

Sylvia stood to the side, anxious. She watched Robert’s expression and offered a soft consolation, "Dad, please don’t be angry. Just pretend I never said anything. We’ll think of another way..."

But Robert didn’t respond to Sylvia. He just kept his eyes shut tight, turning the matter over and over in his mind.

Since Robert wasn’t speaking, Sylvia didn’t dare say another word. She could only stand there quietly, her heart feeling as if it were weighed down by a giant stone.

Her actions today—destroying the villa—were tantamount to burning her bridges. She had done it to force Robert to give up Elaine Hughes and protect her own interests.

But she was also extremely nervous. What if Robert valued his marital bond with Elaine Hughes? What if he couldn’t swallow his pride...?

Sylvia wasn’t a hundred percent certain. All she could do was gamble.

The room fell into an almost terrifying silence, as if time itself had frozen. The only sound was the WHIRRING of the space heater.

In the confined space, Sylvia felt her own breathing and heartbeat become abnormally clear. Before she knew it, her palms were slick with sweat.

Just then, with a CLICK, the heater stopped.

Seeing this, Sylvia said softly, "I think the power’s out... We’ve already hit the third tier for this month’s electricity bill... If we keep this up, I’m afraid this month’s bill will be..."

At that moment, Robert opened his eyes.

As if he had finally made a decision, he spoke in a low, hoarse voice, "Agree to it."

Sylvia’s mind was still on the electricity bill. Hearing him, she didn’t react at first and subconsciously let out a, "Huh?"

Robert’s face was grim, a storm brewing in his venomous gaze. A flicker of suppressed pain was barely visible.

He said in a low voice, "Agree to Bernard Simmons’s request... On second thought, you don’t need to contact him. I’ll talk to him myself..."

Robert knew he had no other choice. He had to endure this humiliation!

’I have to endure this humiliation! If a king could suffer for years to reclaim his throne, I can swallow this shame and wait for the day I make my comeback!’

Hearing this, Sylvia was instantly relieved, the stone in her heart finally falling to the ground.

She had won the gamble!

Sylvia had realized long ago that Robert was, at his core, a completely self-serving businessman. In her past life, to please her, Robert had even gone so far as to drug his own biological daughter, Melody Summers.

Now, as long as the benefits were great enough, what was selling out his own wife?!

But Sylvia didn’t dare show her delight. She cast a worried glance at Robert and said softly, "But... Dad, I don’t think Mom will agree..."

At her words, a muscle in Robert’s brow twitched.

’Elaine Hughes won’t agree?’

’Elaine Hughes has no right to disagree!’

In Robert’s view, Elaine Hughes was the matriarch of the Lancaster Family. It was her duty to sacrifice herself for the family.

Besides, he, a man, was already willing to sacrifice his pride and offer up his own wife. What was it for Elaine to sacrifice her body a little in comparison?

’Can a woman’s dignity possibly be more important than a man’s pride?’ Robert thought.

Thinking this, Robert closed his eyes and waved a hand at Sylvia. "You don’t need to worry about that," he said in a low voice. "I have my ways. You can go now... Leave me alone for a while."

Sylvia nodded and quietly exited the room.