CHAPTER 420: CHAPTER 420: GOOD COP, BAD COP

The moment he saw that message, Mateo was stunned. He immediately asked, his fingers trembling as he typed, why he would end up as a construction worker.

From the other end, a reply came almost instantly.

"You’ll end up as a construction worker because five years from now, your father’s company will go bankrupt. Once that happens, you won’t have any kind of support left, and you’ll have to rely on your strength to survive."

Mateo frowned in disbelief as he read those words.

That didn’t make sense. Even if his father’s company failed, he still had the business instincts to survive.

He could easily become an employee somewhere else. At worst, he could join another firm and rebuild from there. Why would he ever have to toil in a construction site?

He quickly typed back: "That’s ridiculous. Even if my father’s company goes under, I can still work in the business world. Why would I end up in construction?"

The reply came seconds later.

"Because you’ll be blacklisted. Your father’s enemies will make sure no company dares to hire you. You’ll be banned from the corporate world. And until that ban ends, you’ll have no choice but to work in construction sites."

Mateo froze. His eyes widened at the words on his screen. He had never considered that possibility.

If the message was truly from his future self, that meant everything it said might be true.

For a long moment, he sat still, staring at the phone screen as a wave of unease washed over him. But then, another thought struck him. If his future self had failed... he didn’t have to.

He clenched his fists, his eyes darkening with determination.

’No,’ he thought. ’I’ll change that future. I’ll win Eleanor back. She’s my golden ticket, no, my golden goose. I just have to make her mine.’

What Mateo didn’t realize was... he became the precise gold digger he always hated.

With that decision burning in his heart, he immediately typed another question: "Why did Father’s company go bankrupt?"

But this time, no reply came. The screen stayed still.

Mateo waited, five minutes, then ten, but there was nothing.

Then he remembered the earlier warning. "I can only send a few messages."

Realizing that no more replies would come, he sighed in frustration and tossed the phone on the table. Still, his mind was already made up. He had to find Eleanor.

Without hesitation, he picked up his phone again and dialed a number.

When the call connected, he spoke firmly, "I want Eleanor’s location. Right now."

His father, who was sitting across the table, looked up sharply, frowning. The moment Mateo ended the call, his father spoke in a deep, disapproving voice.

"Mateo," he said sternly, "I’m not going to let any ordinary girl get close to you. I’ve told you this before. Don’t disappoint me."

He already knew about his son’s secret affair and disapproved it!

Mateo’s jaw tightened. He knew his father too well. The man was old-fashioned and extremely status-conscious. He would never approve of a girl like Eleanor, someone with no apparent wealth or background.

But now, Mateo had the perfect counter.

He looked at his father and smirked. "She’s not ordinary, Father. Eleanor is a billionaire heiress. She’s just hiding her identity for now to test people’s intentions."

For a second, his father froze, his eyes widening. Then he leaned forward slightly, his expression turning serious.

"What did you just say?"

"I’m serious," Mateo continued confidently. "She’s testing who’s truly worthy of her. She doesn’t want people chasing her for money, so she’s keeping her identity hidden."

His father’s brows furrowed, but the words clearly intrigued him. After all, the logic made sense. He himself had told Mateo years ago that the wealthy often tested character before revealing their true background.

He had even advised his son to hide his identity to test others characters.

To think that a real billionaire heiress was hiding her identity and happened to cross paths with his son, it sounded like a dream come true.

His voice lowered. "How sure are you about this?"

Mateo smiled faintly. "One hundred percent sure."

He then leaned back casually and added,

"All I need from you is a little help. Pretend to oppose our relationship. Act as if you disapprove of her. That way, when I ’stand up’ for her, she’ll be moved and think I truly love her."

His father blinked, surprised. Then a slow smile appeared on his face.

"So... I play the bad cop, and you play the good one?"

Mateo grinned. "Exactly. Once she’s emotionally moved, she’ll fall for me completely. And when her identity is revealed, we’ll both benefit."

His father chuckled, clearly pleased with the plan. "Not bad, son. You’ve finally learned to think strategically."

They exchanged a knowing look. For a brief moment, both father and son shared the same thought, greed disguised as ambition.

Their plan was set.

Mateo’s father leaned back, satisfied, and said, "Alright then. I’ll do it. Let’s make sure this Eleanor becomes part of our family."

Mateo smiled coldly. "She will."

Meanwhile, across the city, Aurora sat in her room, smiling faintly at her screen. Her eyes glimmered, as if she knew something that others didn’t.

Just then, a knock sounded on her door.

"Aurora!"

She turned and saw Olivia standing in the doorway, wearing a blue bodycon dress. Her eyebrows were slightly raised in annoyance.

"Why aren’t you ready yet?" Olivia asked, her tone firm.

Aurora blinked, startled. "I’ll be ready in a minute!" she said quickly.

Olivia crossed her arms. "A minute? You said that ten minutes ago! Today is mother’s birthday, and if you don’t get ready soon, we’ll be late for the surprise party!"

Aurora pouted slightly, her shoulders drooping like a guilty child. "I know, I know... I’ll be done in two minutes, promise!"

Without wasting a second, she hurried to her wardrobe, pulled out a dress, and changed quickly. After that, she tied her hair neatly and applied a light layer of makeup.

Five minutes later, she turned toward Olivia with a grin. "See? Ready in five!"

Olivia glanced at the clock. It had been twenty minutes.

She sighed but chose not to argue. "Let’s go," she said simply.

The two left together and soon arrived at a hotel ballroom.

This time, Adam had prepared a surprise for Mary. Even Mary herself had no idea what was going on. She looked at her children nervously.

"What’s all this?" she asked, confusion flickering in her eyes.

Adriana smiled softly. "You’ll see soon, Mom."

Mary could only sigh helplessly as they guided her toward a door.

When she reached it, everyone urged her to push it open.

The moment she did, the room inside was pitch dark.

She hesitated before stepping in. Then suddenly, a spotlight turned on, shining directly on her. Startled, she closed her eyes for a moment before slowly opening them again.

The light began to move, guiding her forward.

On both sides of her path, roses were scattered beautifully, forming a glowing trail.

Mary followed the illuminated path slowly until she reached the center of the room, where Adam stood waiting, dressed in a sleek tuxedo.

Her heart skipped a beat.

Adam knelt down in front of her and opened a small velvet box. Inside was a stunning diamond ring.

Mary froze, eyes wide, as Adam smiled softly.

"Today is your birthday," he said gently. "I wanted to make it special, but I couldn’t think of what to give you... so I decided to give you something you’ve always wanted but never truly had."

Mary’s heart began to race. She knew exactly what he meant.

A proper wedding.

Her lips trembled slightly as she looked down at him.

Sure enough, Adam continued, "We’re going to have our wedding again. This time, the way you always dreamed of. I’ve already chosen a destination for it."

Tears welled in Mary’s eyes.

In her first marriage, she had been with a wealthy man, but there had been no love, no ceremony, no celebration, not even a bridesmaid. Everything had been rushed, emotionless, and practical.

Even when she later married Adam, life had been tough. There had been no grand wedding, just a simple exchange of vows and a small ring.

For years, she had buried her dream of walking down the aisle in a beautiful dress, thinking it was something she’d never have.

After all, each individual have a dream they never achieve in their lifetime!

But now, standing there with Adam on one knee, surrounded by her loved ones, that forgotten dream had come alive again.

Her tears spilled freely as she covered her mouth, her heart swelling with emotion.

All the sacrifices she had made, all the hardships she had endured, felt worth it.

Because even if Adam couldn’t give her luxury, he had given her something far more precious: love.

And now, he was giving her the one thing she had always longed for... a beautiful, heartfelt wedding with the man she truly loved.