bChapter /bb496 /b

    bMia /bbwas /bstill nervous.

    She had always known the truth wouldn’t stay hidden forever. Sooner orter, this day was bound toe,

    She just hadn’t expected it toe so soon.

    When she opened the door, Sharon stood outside, her expression stormy..

    “M–Mom…” Mia barely got the

    s word out before Sharon pped her hard across the face.

    Smackb! /b

    +25 bBONUS /b

    The sharp sound echoed down the hallway.

    Sharon hadn’t held back. She was beyond furious and made no effort to control her strength.

    Mia’s cheek flushed red almost instantly.

    Ian stepped forward, heart aching. “Mia, are you okay?” he asked gently, checking her face.

    Tears welled up in her eyes as she clutched her cheek.

    Sharon red at them coldly. “How long has this been going on?”

    Ian immediately pulled Mia behind himb, /bshielding her. His gaze locked with Sharon’sb, /bcalm but firm.

    “Aunt Sharon, I was the one who made the first move. This isn’t her fault. If you’re angry, take it out on me.”

    Her voice was icy. “You’re not mine to discipline. But she is. You can exin all this to your father yourself. He’s on his way

    home.”

    “Fine.” Ian didn’t flinch. “You can be angry at Mia. But you don’t get to hit her.”

    Sharon let out a sharp, mockingugh, her eyes zing.

    “She’s my daughter. Who do you think you are, telling me what I can and can’t do? Move.”

    Ian stood his ground.

    “She’s my woman. I’ll protect her,i” /ihe said coolly, his voice like iceb. /b“As long as I’m here, no oneys a hand on her.”

    Sharon’s voice rose with outrage. “Ian Quinton, you’re her brotherb. /bThis is incest!”

    Ian replied coldly, “We’re not rted by blood.”

    That made Sharonugh in disbelief. “I’m married to your father. That makes you two step–siblings. Step–siblings are still siblings!”

    Ian’s lips curled into a smirk. “Then we won’t be siblings anymore I never wanted to be her brother in the first ce.”

    “What’s that supposed to mean?” Sharon snapped.

    “You-” Sharon’s chest heaved with fury. Her voice shook. “You–You-”

    She stammered for several seconds, too angry to form a full sentence.

    Jan’s voice stayed cold. “Aunt Sharon, your marriage to my dad died a long time ago. You two act civil in public, but behind closed doors? You livepletely separate lives. I’m not wrong, am I?”

    Sharon’s eyes widened in shock. “How do you know that?”

    Chapter 496.

    bIan /bblet /bbout /ba low chuckle. b“/bI’ve known for a while. I started digging the moment I decided I wanted to be with Mia.”

    bHis /bvoice was calm, even. “You’re having an affair with Mr. Zimmer from bST /bCorporation. My dad? He’s got a college girl bon /bbthe /bbside/b–and ba /bstreamer too.”

    Sharon’s pupils dted in disbelief. “When did you find all this out!”

    “The second I made up my mind about Mia,” Ian said.

    “You investigated your own father and stepmother?” Sharon shoed, her face flushed. “We’re your elders!b” /b

    “So what if you are?” Ian’s eyes turned razor–sharp.

    “You-” Sharon was left gasping, too furious to speak.

    Just then, the front door opened, and Ian’s father, Lester Quinton, stepped inside.