Kay watched Mrs. Hanson stay silent for a little too long and pressed her, "Mrs. Hanson, just say whatever''s on your mind. Mr. Rupert and Tristan are here— they''ll have your back."

Mrs. Hanson pursed her lips, hesitated for a few seconds, then shook her head firmly.

"No, Sylvia never agreed to anything. It was Yves who set his sights on her and tried to force her into marriage."

"Mrs. Hanson! What the hell are you talking about?" Kay snapped, her eyes cold and sharp as she marched forward.

But Sylvia calmly raised a hand, stopping Kay in her tracks. "Ms. Winslet, that''s Mrs. Hanson''s own admission. How is that nonsense? Does the truth only count if I''m the one throwing myself at Yves? What''s your motive here?"

She looked at Kay, whose face was flushed with anger, veins standing out on her forehead, but she had noeback.

Mrs. Hanson sure as hell wasn''t going to defend Kay.

After all, Sylvia had a video of Mrs. Hanson and her boytoy-far juicier than anything Naomi had on her. If it ever got out, especially with the Yves mess, Mrs. Hanson''s life would be hell.

When disaster''s looming, self-preservationes first. That''s exactly why Mrs. Hanson always did whatever Kay asked for her own sake.

Kay seemed to realize this too. She clenched her jaw, about to argue, but Edwin cut her off, his voice thunderous with anger.fnb4ed ?????? ???? FindN()vel/fnb4ed

"Kay, enough! I''m saying this onest time: stay away from my wife and daughter!"

He then shot a re at Tristan. "Dad, since you can''t stand us, let me make this easy-I''m moving out with Naomi."

Tristan looked stunned, caught off guard. Before he could process it, Kay shrieked, “You''re leaving the Garcia family for her? You''d go that far?"

"Yes," Edwin replied, unwavering. "She''s my wife. I never once regretted choosing her. The Garcia family... can rely on Rupert. He''s more capable than me. He''s the one who can take the family to the next level."

The message was clear: Edwin would never fight Rupert for the family legacy. He''d rather be the perpetual disappointment-Mr. Edwin-than ever give up Naomi.

At that, Naomi burst into tears and threw herself into his arms.

"I''m sorry," she sobbed.

"You should be," Edwin said, patting her back gently. "You tried to hide something this big from me." But his voice was gentle he wasn''t really ming her. After all, she''d already- been through enough.  s

Seeing this, Kay stormed out of the hospital room, fuming.

Sylvia called after her, “Ms. Winslet, don''t forget your boytoy. I imagine the cops will want a word with him soon."

Kay''s face twisted, but she didn''t look back. Tristan shot Sylvia a furious re, harrumphed, and swept out with the rest.

"Sylvia, I''m going to take your mom

for some tests. You talk things out here," Edwin said ncing instinctively at the man standing quietly in the corner before guiding Naomi out.  s

The room fell silent, heavy as a tomb. For a moment, it was like no one was left.

Rupert stubbed out his cigarette. When he stood, his figure wavered in the smoky haze for a second, but he quickly pulled himself together, his usual coldposure settling back in.

He walked over to Sylvia and gave a low, almost self-mocking chuckle.

"You never trusted me-not from the beginning. You''d rather put your faith in Edwin''s feelings for your mom."

Sylvia clenched her fists but met his gaze with a small, wry smile.

"Of course I trust your abilities, Mr. Rupert. That''s why I specifically asked Dr. Chris toe to you for help."

"But honestly, everything you''ve done has been a letdown. So I handled things myself. I called the police. I volunteered to help them investigate Yves."

"That evidence you deleted? I showed it to you on purpose. And the boytoy-I let him go on purpose, so he''d run and tattle, so Yves would be provoked enough to make a move on me."  s

"The only thing you didn''t disappoint me in, Mr. Rupert, was using me as bait."

"Trust? Don''t make meugh. I trust Edwin because at least I can see how he feels about my mom."

Unlike you. I''ll never see through you.

"See... See..."