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Chapter_233
Victor stood quietly for a moment, his bloodshot eyes meeting Robert’s. After an internal struggle, he swallowed the words he wanted to say, biting back his frustration.
Robert, feeling a cold sweat on his back, stood frozen. It was clear now—he had to keep the truth about Winona’s baby a secret. If anyone, especially Claude, found out it wasn’t Victor’s child but his own, it would bring nothing but disaster.
Victor finally spoke, his voice steady yet firm. “Grandpa, once Winona has the baby, I’ll personally see her off. Don’t worry, I won’t marry someone like her. There’s no way she could be the future hostess of the Carter family.”
Robert, flustered by the harsh tone, couldn’t help but defend Winona. “Victor, let’s talk about this later. She’s carrying your child, after all. Isn’t it a bit cold-hearted to be so distant?”
His words caused the others to turn and look at him. Even Rebecca was taken aback by her father’s sudden show of concern.
Victor clenched his fists, his expression hardening.
Claude, infuriated, grabbed the coffee mug from the table and hurled it at Robert’s head.
Robert yelped in pain, clutching his head as it swelled with the force of the blow. “Dad, did I say something wrong again?” he asked, his voice tinged with frustration. “Winona’s baby is definitely a Carter. She’s kind, and Yvette—she’s no angel either! Carrying a gun around in broad daylight… It’s got nothing to do with Winona. A pregnant woman can’t help but faint from shock, right?”
Robert’s attempt to shift the blame onto Yvette only deepened Claude’s scowl. His gaze darkened, becoming more menacing by the second.
With a chilling calmness, Claude lifted his cane and struck Robert sharply across the leg. The blow was so forceful that Robert fell to the floor, gritting his teeth in pain.
“You useless fool,” Claude hissed, his voice full of contempt. “How did I end up with a worthless son like you? Once Winona has that baby, she’s out. Whether she survives or not is none of our business. Got it? Yvette’s no ordinary person, and she’s got powerful connections. Just look at the Smith family—what happened to them was no coincidence. The Chambers family didn’t take them down alone. I’m sure Yvette’s behind it, and she’s got someone powerful backing her. I’ve got contacts in Betrico, and when I asked about her, they hung up on me as soon as they heard his name. What does that tell you? It means we’re in way over our heads.”
Robert and Victor were both stunned. They hadn’t known any of this.
Fear crept up Robert’s spine, and he fell silent, too terrified to speak. He slowly rose to his feet, his face swollen, his leg aching, his pride shattered.
Claude took a sip of his coffee, his expression settling into cold contemplation. “The situation is what it is, Rebecca. Pull our company out of Betrico as quickly as possible. Reclaim every last investment to minimize the losses. Let’s cut ties with Betrico and focus on Mysonna for the next five years.”
Rebecca, her expression now less tense, nodded. “Understood, Grandpa. I’ll handle it. I’ll even visit the Mitchell family personally to apologize.”
Claude’s icy demeanor softened, a faint glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes. He’d worked hard to mentor Rebecca, and it was finally paying off. He looked at her with a sense of pride. In every way, Rebecca is exceptional. If it weren’t for Winona, the Carter family would have already established a place in Betrico’s elite circles.
“Make sure you bring a generous gift and hand-deliver it, no matter how the Mitchell family reacts. Got it?” Claude added.
Victor, his expression unreadable, glanced at Claude and said, “Grandpa, I’ll personally visit Bonnie tomorrow and apologize to her.”
Claude’s face softened even more, affection evident in his gaze. “Good. You’ve finally learned. Humility isn’t a weakness. Achieving your goals is what matters.”
Victor nodded, his shoulders a little lighter.
Robert, on the other hand, was humiliated beyond measure. The sting of his father’s words burned deep. His dignity had been shattered in front of his children. A flash of resentment toward Claude flickered in his eyes, but he kept his thoughts to himself.
Meanwhile, in the villa, Jeremiah was in the kitchen preparing beef pasta, a dish he had recently learned to make for Yvette. It was his first attempt, but he moved with confidence, every step deliberate. His tall, lean figure looked striking under the warm, yellow kitchen lights.
Yvette had just finished her shower. Her head wrapped in a white towel, she looked effortlessly beautiful. Her oversized T-shirt hung loosely on her frame, complementing her flawless skin. She strolled into the living room, her steps graceful, and flopped lazily onto the sofa.
Jeremiah had just placed the steak into the oven and walked over to her with a glass of freshly made lemonade. He offered it with a gentle smile, and then, without a word, reached for the towel to help dry her hair.
“Drink some water. It’s the perfect temperature,” he said softly, his fingers gently weaving through her hair.
Their eyes met, and for a brief moment, there was an unspoken understanding between them.
Jeremiah raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile tugging at his lips. “Don’t look at me like that, or I might lose control.”
Yvette wiggled her tiny toes, amusement flickering in her eyes. “You’re quite skilled,” she said lazily.
Jeremiah turned off the hairdryer, his gaze deepening as it seemed to reflect only her image. “Are you a professional driver? You’re pretty fast.”
Yvette leaned forward slightly, her bright blue eyes sparkling with mischief. “Not bad.”
Jeremiah casually pinched her fingers, his expression unchanged, but there was an edge to his voice. “Interpol?”
Yvette’s lips curled into a playful smirk, her stunning face more captivating than ever. She pressed her lips together before answering lazily, “Yeah, I just casually got a badge.”
A small, amused smile tugged at Jeremiah’s lips. “Yeah, I suppose it’s just that easy to get a top-secret Interpol badge, huh?”
They didn’t linger on the subject. Some things were better left unsaid.
After finishing her beef pasta, Yvette set down her fork and glanced at Jeremiah. She stretched and yawned, the slight redness around her eyes adding to her allure.
“Want to sleep together?” she asked, her voice soft, teasing.
Jeremiah paused, holding the steak plate in his hands. He chuckled, his voice low and affectionate. “No, I’m afraid you’ll sleep poorly. Go to bed. I’ll take you to school tomorrow.”
Yvette stood up with a faint smile on her lips. As she looked at his hand still holding the plate, she couldn’t help but think, Oh, he’s putting on quite the show.
Jeremiah noticed her expression, and with a soft smile, he set the plate down. He stared at her, his eyes intense.
“How about we go upstairs and sleep together?” he offered, his voice softer now, but full of intent.
Yvette, with one hand casually tucked in her pocket, turned without a second thought. She waved her other hand behind her, amusement glinting in her eyes. “Up to you,” she said lightly.
She didn’t look back as she walked away, not a trace of hesitation in her step.
Jeremiah stood there for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly as he watched her leave. It’s not okay for her to just walk away after teasing me like that, he thought with a smirk.
