Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled novel Chapter 681

Faith didn't breathe a word of Karina's situation to Irene, preferring to tackle the issue alone.

This was the second time Faith had encountered Karina, the first being when Neil brought her home.

Karina was pretty, no doubt, but an unsettling aura clung to her, sparking an instinctive dislike in Faith. Perhaps it was an ingrained opposition to the girl.

"Hello." Karina seated herself across Faith, her expression devoid of fear or nervousness. Instead, she wore a faint smile, radiating confidence and composure.

Neil had promised he'd handle his family, and she believed in him wholeheartedly.

Without mincing words, Faith laid a check on the table, "Karina, this is $5 million. Leave my son, and you can achieve financial freedom. Find someone more suited to you."

Her message couldn't have been clearer. Karina's face soured as she pushed the check back, "I don't want it. Neil and I are truly in love."

"Truly in love?" Faith chuckled, "You're young, so you naively believe love conquers all. But life is harsh. Do you think, with your background and upbringing, you can adapt to being with Neil? He's set to take over Whitmore Enterprises. How could his wife be an ordinary girl like you? What support could you possibly offer him when you can't even match his stride?"

Her words were laced with sarcasm, but they were rooted in reality, leaving Karina speechless. As Karina struggled to respond, Faith upped the ante, "How about $10 million? That's more than you or your family will ever see in a lifetime. This could ensure a comfortable life for you all."

At the mention of $10 million, Karina visibly wavered, greed and excitement flashing in her eyes. It was a fortune she'd never dreamed of.

"Karina, even if you reject this money, being with Neil won't happen. I swear on my role as his mother, so if you refuse now, you'll lose out on both fronts, understand?" Seeing Karina's hesitation, Faith pressed on, her gaze icy as she awaited a response.

After a moment, Karina picked up the check again, her silence speaking volumes as she left.

Faith sighed in relief, knowing this meant Karina had accepted her offer. Hopefully, Neil would no longer insist on their relationship.

---

The Whitmore family.

Neil sat in the game room, numbly staring at the screen, his hands moving mechanically. His mind was flooded with his grandfather's words.

"Why are you here?" Neil's irritation was palpable. Irene felt like a persistent nuisance he couldn't shake off.

Without her, even with his family's disapproval, he wouldn't be pressured into marrying someone he didn't love.

Irene fidgeted, her hands clasped in front of her. "I came to see Grandfather," she murmured softly.

Hearing that Irene was seeking out his grandfather, Neil's irritation soared to new heights. He instinctively believed that this woman was just looking to exploit his grandfather, and then coerce the entire Whitmore family into pressuring him into marrying her.

"Have you had enough?!" Neil exploded, furiously slamming the game controller onto the ground. The controller shattered into pieces, the noise startling Irene.

She stared at Neil, then cautiously spoke up, "I know you don't want to marry me, so I came to ask your grandfather to ease up on the pressure..."

Her voice trailed off, her eyes welling up with tears, looking genuinely distressed.

Neil was taken aback. He hadn't expected Irene's intention was actually to help him. He felt a twinge of embarrassment but maintained a poker face, betraying no emotion. A thought even crossed his mind to reveal Karina's existence to Irene, hoping it would make her give up on the idea of marrying him for good.