Chapter 260

Thea couldn't believe words like those could come from a child, but she wouldn't brush it aside. "I don't care what Stephanie's been feeding you, and I don't care to find out.

"But remember this. Since you're my husband's child, I'm not about to stoop to anything underhanded to deal with you. From now on, I'll teach you what it really means to be decent."

She gave Oliver's forehead a gentle rub. Stephanie's affection was nothing more than a shallow display. Children could sense emotions easily, and Oliver could feel that Stephanie's care was mixed with hidden motives.

Now, with the warmth of Thea's hand resting on his head, his face flushed bright red. But before he could fully process the moment, Thea pressed him down into the bedding. "Do you know what you did wrong?"

Her cool voice echoed close to his ear. Oliver yelled. "I knew it. You're not a nice person! You're being mean to me!"

"When you see steel balls right in front of you, knowing they'll harm your body, and you still swallow them. That's self-harm," Thea said, in her unique way of teaching. "This is your first lesson from me. No matter the situation, no matter who tells you to harm yourself, don't believe them or obey. Protecting yourself is what matters most."

After she released him, Oliver looked up at her, a slight spark in his eyes as he murmured, "I get it."

Oliver wasn't inherently bad. He was just young and easily swayed by outside influences. With little effort, Thea eased Oliver's hostility, and once he was finally asleep, she took the kettle to the break room.

"Miss Rowland, I have to say that you're surprisingly skilled at handling children," Corey said, his voice suddenly breaking the quiet. She hadn't noticed how long he'd been standing there.

His eyes were filled with teasing amusement, while Thea's gaze flicked to the bandage on his arm. "Mr. Xander, you've finally run yourself into the hospital with all those misdeeds. I'll take you as a reminder to stick to good deeds."

Corey was a dangerous man, and Thea avoided unnecessary interactions with him whenever possible.

ons Rowlanding

as she tried to take a different route, Nicolas blocked her path. "Miss Rowland, after all the help I gave you recently, is this how quickly you

I'd give you a friendly warning. I can't fathom why you and Mr. Hendrix would go out of your way to raise someone else's kid. Oliver's blood is half Stephanie's. Doesn't that make him feel tainted to you?" Thea took a step back. Oliver's background was no mystery to her. Corey had

family matters don't concern you, Mr. Xander," Thea replied curtly. This time, Corey didn't stop her from leaving. After she was gone, he irritably unwrapped the fake

significant. Even if she realizes I incited Amelia to go after her, what could she do? She won't have the guts to

consequences. Corey's patience with her was wearing thin.

Nicolas is someone you can provoke without repercussions? If he ever comes to settle scores,

harshly. Her eyes turned red, though she tried to act tough. "He'd have to find evidence first. I may not be able to beat him, but I know how to

Chapter 260.

situation. Corey said nothing

the hospital room, Thea looked down at the face that bore

influence, Thea couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Corey was

suspicions to the back of her mind and deciding not to bring this

Vergil look alike?" she asked, testing

his head. "They're not alike in looks or temperament. Darwin once questioned if they were even siblings, but Vergil shut him down. She's completely certain. Stephanie

Stephanie. She was the one Vergil had cared about most before

mind?" Nicolas

smiled and shook her head, gently taking Nicolas's hand without a word. She knew that any

voiced her doubts too hastily, even Nicolas might dismiss her as jealous or petty. Thea was used to the feeling of not being trusted. Without

*****

hospital, Thea barely left his side. Their relationship had started off strained, and the time

Thea a bit more respect, and their

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