After the divorce, he begged

Chapter 8

Seeing the situation escalate, Victor made a call to Jeffrey.

造成您:62%會

your price because you gave us Samuel Marcus said, his gaze hard and unyielding. “But since you can’t be reasonable, this

“We only let you name y

discussion is over

Rebecca said calmly. “We really don’t need to discuss this. It’s not your decision to make!”

Marcus’s voice turned icy. “What did you just say?”

“The divorce papers are already filed,” Rebecca said, her body tense but her voice steady. “I get custody once it’s final. If you try to take him, I’ll call the police”

Both Marcus’s and Candice’s faces instantly darkened.

That was exactly why they’d rushed over when they heard the news. After the divorce was finalized, changing anything would be nearly impossible.

“How can you be so selfish?” Candice snapped. “Have you even considered that he’s just a child? You’re making him suffer by dragging him through this instability.”

“I just have custody,” Rebecca shot back. “It’s not like his father’s dead. I’ve never stopped Jeffrey from spending money on him.”

“Let’s cut to the chase. You’re just using Samuel to get money out of Joffrey, Candice said with venom. “Someone as manipulative as you doesn’t deserve to be his mother.”

“I might not be perfect, but at least I’m better than a cheater,” Rebecca fired back, done with explanations.

“So he had an affair? Big deal,” Marcus shot back. “That’s practically normal in our crowd

“Which is exactly why I’m taking Samuel and leaving, Rebecca said, her conviction growing. Your family’s twisted values would mess up anyone, no matter how strong their moral foundation.”

“Watch your mouth!” Marcus snapped, furious that Rebecca–a trophy his son supported–dared to judge him.

held her ground. T’ll say it as many times

air between them

at that moment, Marcus’s phone buzzed

barely contained rage. “You won’t believe what your woman just did,” he snapped without greeting.

he should have for

response only fueled Marcus’s anger, though he knew

phone to speaker. “Actually, your timing is perfect. Your mother and

before they could continue. “Let me guess.

Rebecca

with it,” Jeffrey

tense as Marcus’s anger became

1/3

Chapter 8

on his father’s mood, Jeffrey said calmly, “If she wants to raise him, let her do

grandson. “If Samuel goes with her, he’ll forget all about you. What happens when he

little,” Jeffrey said casually. “But once he grows up and understands how

that supposed to mean?” Candice asked, not following his

finding their kids,” Jeffrey said, always thinking about the bottom line. “Those kids are always happy to discover they’ve

Candice went quiet, clearly not

older, he’ll figure out what the right choice is,” Jeffrey said practically. “Besides, be there as he

moments.”

Samuel isn’t that kind of kid,” Candice said, thinking of how the boy had always been well–behaved and sensible–never greedy or competitive with others. Her voice filled with uncertainty as she added,

as he grows up,” Jeffrey stated

making clear he wouldn’t tolerate their meddling. “The harder you push, the more

understood exactly why Jeffrey hadn’t contested the custody. Now she saw why people called him calculating

had to admit his reasoning was airtight. With occasional visits, showing up for birthdays and holidays, and bringing gifts, he’d still look like the perfect father in

for Samuel never wavered. Whether

if she won’t let us see Samuel?” Candice asked, thinking about how defiant

have rights,” Jeffrey said calmly, though the threat in his voice was unmistakable. “If she tries to keep him

into a thin line,

colder with

realized there were no free rides in life. What had seemed like rescue when she was at her lowest turned to be a blade