After the divorce, he begged

Chapter 240

AGD

“She’s just a kid—speaks her mind, doesn’t know when to hold back. Don’t take it personally, Cynthia, Jessica’s mom and the head of a big public company, spoke with practiced diplomacy. “But to be honest, what you said wasn’t exactly proper either.”

“What’s wrong with that?” someone shot back.

“We’re just stating the facts here,” another person retorted, not backing down.

“Everyone saw how Amelia used Ryan’s help to grab the Quinn family shares, all while stirring up trouble in his personal life.” someone added, their tone sharp.

“How about we call Mr. Guzman here and see what he has to say?” Cynthia said in the calmest tone, though everyone could sense the threat hiding beneath her words.

Everyone’s expressions shifted a little at that.

Not many people really knew what was up between Amelia and Ryan. Most folks just picked things up from gossip or random rumors.

Honestly, nobody could say for sure if Ryan had feelings for Amelia. ‘If he did, why would he ghost her out of nowhere?‘ people wondered quietly. ‘But if he didn’t care, what’s with him treating Rebecca so well lately?‘

“Whatever you say, I know for a fact that Amelia was still involved with Mr. Guzman when he got engaged to someone from the Jordan Family,” someone pressed on.

“Trust me, I saw the whole thing with my own eyes,” another person jumped in, sounding sure of themselves.

“And she got pregnant out of wedlock–totally shameless,” someone sneered.

“Bet she thought having a kid would help her lock down Mr. Guzman and move up in the world, but he didn’t fall for it,” another person scoffed.

“Exactly!” someone else chimed in.

“Wow, looks like you all got older but didn’t get any smarter,” Jessica shot back, her tone sharper than usual. She almost never snapped, but she wasn’t backing down now. “Funny how you don’t say a word when Ryan’s sleeping around and can’t control himself, but you’re quick to point fingers at Amelia?”

Cynthia glanced at her but didn’t stop her.

When it came to sticking up for her friends, Cynthia always let her daughter say what was on her mind. She never interfered.

“Cynthia, is this what passes for parenting in your house?” Elijah Zane, his beefy face twisted with obvious disdain, stepped forward from the crowd.

Cynthia shot him a look and answered, her voice as flat as ever, “Yep.”

14:31 Mon, Oct 6

Chapter 240

“We’re supposed to be the where here, and this is hose the talks to us? Elijah sorted, then gave Paberra a cold glare. “And her? Figure che’s Amelia’s kid no manners, hus like her moth.”

Rebecca’s fingers costled into a fist, but before she could say a word, Cynthia cut in

you guys just said, honestly, if they tossed drink in your face. Id say they

on!” The crowd immediately started to

Cynthia called, her tone soft and

turned

told them, “There’s some booze over

carried away!”

Honnala, not Jelasburg!” another sneered, trying to put her in her

your reputation with one word?” someone else threatened, voice dripping

echoed through the

and Rebecca, in perfect sync, flung their drinks

at Rebecca, completely stunned–he hadn’t thought she’d

was cold as ice. “Mom told me before we came that anyone trash–talking her at these parties isn’t even worth my time. Most of you are just her old rivals who couldn’t beat her, so you get your kicks by gossiping

the rest were practically bursting

Rebecca grabbed another drink, looking at them with contempt. “If I just ignored people like you, you’d

one more time!” The crowd exploded, completely triggered by

tension. “I’ll say

let me tell you, the Guzman family will never recognize someone like you as one of their own. Old Mr. Lawrence would never let Amelia’s daughter step

him, her expression completely

that bothered her

14:31 Mon, Oct 6

Chapter 240

A calm, icy voice rang out, and Ryan strode

off, Ryan would’ve had no idea

“Mr. Guzman?” someone stammered.

voice

a second ago instantly shrank back,

his eyes full of unhidden concern. “What did they say to you? Dad’s got

voice as frosty and

genuinely uneasy, a

Ryan’s icy gaze landed on Elijah and the

an uphill battle, and now these people just had to make things even harder

it safe. I can’t bring myself to call you ‘Dad, and I definitely won’t admit you’re my father.” Her voice was colder than ever–if she had grievances with him before,

Cynthia. “What’s going

Amelia ruined your engagement, secretly got pregnant to try and climb the ranks, and

assets…”

accusation, Ryan’s expression grew

Amelia’s name through the mud like this when she

passing on the gossip, seriously—we didn’t

that’s right!” they echoed quickly, scrambling to cover

hold it against us,” someone added

pros at this–seeing Ryan rush to defend Rebecca,