Middle Child Syndrome - Chapter 275

Chapter 275: Ch 275: A hope for change
Natasha felt worried when she looked at Rika.

She could tell that her daughter had decided to attend the Union Conference, but Natasha was unsure who she had chosen.

It was true that she liked Andrew as a person.

He was pleasant, friendly, calm, and innocent for an alpha. He would treat Rika right and not make her uncomfortable.

But at the same time, these traits of his made Natasha worried for Rika’s safety and reputation.

Andrew’s kindness meant that he would stop to help anyone who asked him for help, be it a beta, another alpha, or even an omega. If he stopped to help too many omegas and ignored Rika, her reputation would take a nosedive.

‘But it is not like Mark will be any better. Knowing Suzie, she will find a way to come to this conference one way or another. Mark will likely be too busy looking after her also to pay attention to Rika.’

The only real options for Rika were Emily and Damian. But since both will likely come together to keep the other in check, Rika has no choice.

‘I would rather have her not attend, but that would be hypocritical of me to do. She has expressed her desire to participate in this conference for the first time, so I must let her do what she wants.’

So, despite her misgivings about the situation and Natasha’s bad feelings, she let Rika do what she wanted.

It was not such a hard decision, but Natasha’s feelings about the situation did not go away.

She just hoped that things would be okay in the end.

…

Just because Natasha was all right with what happened did not mean Mark was in the same league as her.

When Rika and his mother left him alone, he took out his phone and dialed a number he had never dialed.

The alpha on the other side picked up the phone but sounded tense and suspicious of Mark’s intentions.

“What does the young master of the Goodwill family want with me? I was not aware you even had my number, Mark Goodwill.”

Andrew Tweten’s voice sounded calm but suspicious, but he remained polite and professional over the phone.

It passed Mark even more, and all the older alpha wanted to do was clutch Andrew’s politeness mask and pull it down his face.

He wanted to show Rika the ‘real’ person behind the mask so that she would rethink her decision to go with him.

“Stop trying to make me out to be the bad guy. You know why I called you, so you better not try and act innocent in front of me. I will not buy it.”

Mark was quick to let the young alpha know about his dislike.

“Oh! Is that so? What did I do to incur the young master’s wrath? As far as I know, we do not have any funds with each other.”

The younger alpha sounded amused and annoyed at the same time. These were the same emotions Mark felt when he heard Andrew speak up.

“Tsk, as if you don’t know what you did! I am talking about Rika and how you invited her to the Union Conference! Take your invite back right now. My sister will not be going with you.”

Mark was firm and resolute when he made this statement.

He had put enough command behind his voice to make anyone follow his will.

But not Andrew Tweten.

The alpha on the phone’s other side did not sound winded after hearing Mark’s command.

“Ah, I understand that you are jealous of me, Young Master Goodwill, but this situation occurred because *you* neglected Rika until now and never asked her to come with you to this conference.

Why do I have to suffer because of the mistakes you made in the past? If that is all, I will cut off the call now. I am too busy with work to entertain you.”

Mark did not feel well hearing all that.

His insides boiled at being challenged so openly by the other alpha, and Mark knew he needed to gain the upper hand during this conversation.

“Tsk, I am Rika’s brother! I should rank higher than someone like you in her life! So, why did she choose someone like you over me?”

Mark asked, and Andrew fell entirely.

When he did reply, his reply was not what Mark expected it to be.

“Well, that is a given why Rika did not want to be associated with you any longer. When have you ever done anything brother-like for her? I might be an outsider, but even I can see how she feels about you all and how neglected she was in that house.

The best thing you can do for Rika right now is to leave her alone and let her do what she wants. You lost your right to interfere in her life long ago.”

Mark fell silent as soon as he heard those words.

He wanted to speak! He wanted to refute what he just heard. But Mark knew better than to do that. He had lost his chance of being able to talk, so he did not want to stay silent anymore.

Mark wanted to be involved in Rika’s life, but he did not know how to do so.

*Sigh*

“If you want to rekindle your relationship with Rika, give her time and let her approach you. It would be best if you also considered therapy as a class. Oh, and get your youngest to sort out her issues as well.

As far as I can see, she’s the worst in your family when it comes to undermining someone’s mental and emotional health. She is a problem, and you need to get her fixed.”

Mark instantly wanted to defend Suzie, but he held back his temper.

Suzie was not the main focus of this conversation, and even Mark realized that not everyone saw Suzie as he saw her in his mind and heart.

“I will keep that in mind.”

Mark let out with gritted teeth, and it was Andrew’s turn to look surprised.

“Wow! Maybe there is still hope left after all. You did not immediately bite my head off for insulting Suzie Goodwill.”