Delicate and elongated eyebrows, slightly upturned peach blossom eyes, flawless and smooth skin, and full lips – especially the dazzling waterfall of golden hair. Looking at Madeleine before him, Monet couldn't help but think no wonder Astor IV was so fascinated by her. It's also not surprising that she managed to marry a banker even after her second marriage.
Observing Monet's expression, Madeleine furrowed her brows slightly and asked, "Mr. Monet, I've heard from Doris that you have something to discuss with me?"
Monet quickly composed himself and replied, "Indeed, there is an important matter I'd like to discuss with you, madam. I have a friend named Rick Astor. I assume you remember him?"
Madeleine pondered for a moment and then exclaimed, "What?! He's not dead?"
Hearing this, Monet momentarily froze, then after a moment's pause, he realized that in Madeleine's thinking, if Rick hadn't died, he would have shown up long ago. How could it be that several months had passed, her son had been born, and he hadn't appeared? Thus, she had assumed he was dead.
So, Monet explained, "Rick was fortunate, like me, he was rescued by a lifeboat."
"Why hasn't he come forward then?" Madeleine's question echoed Monet's initial assumption.
"Because initially, he didn't intend to reveal himself. His purpose in coming to America was to find his biological father. He found him on the Titanic, and they've already recognized each other. He even learned about the passing of Mr. Astor IV. Therefore, there's no need for him to claim his identity anymore."
Madeleine responded with a skeptical chuckle, "If he really didn't want to claim his identity, then he wouldn't have gone through the trouble of seeking me out, would he?"
"Because something happened a few days ago," Monet continued, recounting the incident where Vincent took Rick's girlfriend and pocket watch.
Madeleine nodded, "Hmm, Vincent is certainly capable of such a thing!"
"So now Rick wants to enter the family, confront Vincent, and settle the score. For that, he needs your help, madam!" Monet added.
Madeleine shrugged, "But I can't offer him much help. As you know, John left most of the inheritance to Vincent. I only have fifty thousand dollars a year and two houses." (Astor IV's original name was John Jacob Astor, but each generation actually carried this name. Hence the need for distinguishing between generations. The title of the fifth generation was inherited by the British branch.)
Monet waved his hand, explaining, "Madam, you've misunderstood. Rick doesn't need your material assistance. What he needs is for you to prove his identity, otherwise, he won't have any way to enter the Astor family."
"Oh, right, I almost forgot that he didn't have any evidence to prove his identity. Also, John had planned to reveal Rick's identity after arriving in New York, so he didn't introduce him to anyone. Therefore, even if Rick is indeed John's illegitimate child, he has no way to prove his identity. I'm the only person who knew his true identity on the ship!" Madeleine suddenly realized.
But then her tone shifted as she asked, "But why should I help him? What's in it for me? Although I've only met Rick once, he didn't seem to like me!"
"Of course, there's something in it for you. Both you and Rick share a common enemy now, Vincent. As far as I know, he's never shown much respect for you. He even sent people to secretly undermine you, attempting to push you out of the Astor family. And even if you don't consider yourself, you should consider little Hans, shouldn't you?"
Motherly love is the most selfless love in the world. Although Madeleine is only nineteen years old now, she's already a mother. So when Monet mentioned her recently born son, little Hans, Madeleine's heart couldn't help but tighten. She knew Vincent's personality well enough to understand that he wouldn't treat little Hans, his half-brother, kindly. This could be deduced from the way he treated Rick, who shared the same parentage. Thus, she did need an ally to deal with Vincent. Without a doubt, Rick, who needed her help, was the best candidate. Moreover, he could potentially assist her in claiming a larger share of the inheritance – after all, five million is still somewhat modest compared to even Alice's ten million.
While Madeleine was weighing the pros and cons, Monet continued, "Regarding your initial impression of Rick, you could also view it from a different perspective. After all, you're close in age. I believe anyone in his position would have felt awkward for a while. But, truth be told, Rick has always had a favorable impression of you."
Madeleine pondered this, realizing that if she suddenly gained a stepmother who was just a year older than her, she wouldn't be comfortable either. So she nodded and said, "Alright, I agree. After all, Rick is indeed John's son. I believe even in heaven, John would want me to help him!"
Monet thought to himself that if John were watching his three sons quarrel like this from heaven, he'd probably have a splitting headache. However, he expressed gratitude, saying, "Then I'll thank you on Rick's behalf."
With the alliance established, Madeleine quickly adjusted her mindset. She furrowed her brows and said to Monet, "Although my testimony provides some evidence, it would be even more convincing with some physical evidence, wouldn't it? I have a number of letters from John. We can modify them to suit our needs!"
"I've thought about that as well, but forging such things carries great risks. Moreover, neither of us is accustomed to lying, which could easily expose us to suspicion. Once someone uncovers the truth, there won't be any way back. Besides, as you mentioned earlier, Astor IV intended to reveal Rick's identity after reaching New York, so there's no need for him to provide written proof. And with your testimony, the pocket watch has become the best physical evidence. Normally, unless in an extremely close relationship, Astor IV wouldn't have given away that pocket watch."
Especially now, since Vincent managed to snatch it away, it further substantiates the watch's authenticity. So, I believe the existing evidence is sufficient," Monet analyzed.
Madeleine nodded in agreement, "You're right. We're both honest individuals and not accustomed to telling lies."