Dumping My Fiancé For His Uncle

END GIFT 10:26 Sun, Nov Chapter

262

Stephanie was dumbfounded. She couldn't believe what was happening before her, her face contorted with disbelief. Her image and her reputation, at that moment, Stephanie completely cast them aside. Like a madwoman, she desperately tried to snatch the photos from Thea's hands to tear them apart. "Fake. Thea, you would stoop so low to frame me, sacrificing any shred of dignity you had left." Just from Stephanie's twisted expression, everyone could tell who was on top and who was not.

The entertainment reporters, never one to miss a major scoop, pointed their cameras not just at Stephanie's face, but also at the photos she was desperately trying to hide.

Nicolas stood at the elevator entrance, coldly enjoying the spectacle unfolding before him.

"Don't look," Thea said, her warm palm covering Oliver's innocent eyes as she gently pushed him into the room. After all, Stephanie was still Oliver's biological mother.

Given Oliver's behavior of enduring being beaten up and trying his best to defend her, Thea knew she hadn't misjudged him. The sordid affairs of adults shouldn't drag an innocent child into their mess. "Fake?" Thea smiled sarcastically. "Ms. Ralap, you really are the last to regret. Would you like me to directly call your leading men?"

The photos depicted Stephanie in various poses, entangled with different men, including some foreign ones.

The reporters, seasoned in celebrity gossip, couldn't help but click their tongues. "Stephanie always pretended to be so innocent. Who knew she could be this promiscuous behind closed doors?" "Looks like she's been with at least a dozen different men."

"Who knows where she found the courage to stir up rumors with Mr. Hendrix... Mr. Hendrix is too refined and noble. How could he ever be interested in a woman like her?"

Stephanie had long been caught in the whirlpool of public opinion, but in the past, with Nicolas backing her, no one dared to fully denounce her. This time, the sharp words cut through her like a knife, causing her to falter. "Nicolas, please believe me. You've always been the only one in my heart, and I've never done anything to betray you." Stephanie pleaded, catching sight of Nicolas's tall figure.

Stephanie struggled through the flashes, tears streaming down her face as she delivered her best performance yet.Content rights by NôvelDr//ama.Org.

Unfortunately, Nicolas didn't even give her the chance to touch his sleeve. He was obsessed with cleanliness and found her dirty.

"If Vergil saw you like this now, he would also be disappointed." Nicolas's icy tone continued to resonate.

For Vergil's sake, Nicolas had genuinely cared for Stephanie and tried to take good care of her. But Stephanie's actions had been too shameful.

"You're Vergil's sister. I've always looked after you for his sake. But I never expected you would even use Oliver's background to deceive me?" Nicolas's voice was devoid of warmth.

He had once thought Oliver was Vergil's last remaining bloodline. After Thea's reminder, Nicolas collected hair samples from both Oliver and Stephanie. The DNA results confirmed that Stephanie was indeed Oliver's mother. Stephanie was truly skilled at deceit.

"Nicolas, I just love Oliver and you so much. I wanted to find him a good home and get closer to you." Stephanie realized she could no longer maintain her facade. "I admit I made many mistakes when I was young, but my heart has always belonged to you." No matter how many men she slept with, she viewed them merely as stand-ins for Nicolas.

Realizing just how twisted and depraved Stephanie's thoughts were, Nicolas's expression grew even colder. "Save those words for Vergil. You've ruined his lifetime of reputation."

Stephanie was sentenced to her own doom. From Nicolas's eyes, she could no longer sense any warmth. His attitude returned to how it was before Vergil's death, when Nicolas néver spared a glance for Stephanie.

'But all these years, I have been the closest woman to Nicolas. Everything seemed so natural. It's Thea's appearance that has stolen everything that should belong to me,' Stephanie thought, hatred seeping from her eyes.

She pulled a dagger from her sleeve. "You already have Jake. Why are you still trying to take Nicolas from me? It's you, all because of you, that has made Nicolas grow colder toward me. Why do you have to interfere in our lives? Thea, just die!" Before Stephanie came, Thea had prepared for the worst. Stephanie lunged at Thea with the glimmering blade, bloodlust in the air. But the one injured wasn't Thea. Nicolas caught the knife bare-handed, his palm a bloody mess.

He endured the pain long enough to wrest the dagger from her grip, flipping Stephanie to the ground. "Stephanie, you've lost it. Between Thea and I... it was never a matter of her barging in. It was a scheme I'd been planning for a long time... "As for you, I was willing to take care of you for Vergil's sake. But now, you'd better pray that you completely disappear from my sight."

Crimson droplets dripped from his palm, each one piercing Thea's heart. Thea carefully cradled Nicolas's wound, not for show but out of genuine concern. "Does it hurt? Don't worry about this crazy woman. I'll get you some medicine." The cameras captured their tender moment, the combination of the handsome couple and the bloody atmosphere even turning into a trending topic online. But Thea didn't care about that. Her focus was entirely on Nicolas's injury. "Darwin, send Stephanie abroad," she said coldly. Thea was never an innocent little rabbit. When she decided to be ruthless, she was more so than anyone else, especially since Stephanie had repeatedly harmed those close to her. "Ms. Ralap loves to mingle with all sorts of creatures, right? Who knows, maybe over there the big lions and wild tigers will enjoy your pitiful act." Thea glared at Stephanie.

She was increasingly embodying the role of the matriarch of the Hendrix family, with Nicolas's silent approval and support playing a crucial role.

"Didn't you hear what Mrs. Hendrix said?" Nicolas whispered, his words carrying a hidden delight.

"Thea is finally feeling for me. That's a good sign,' Nicolas thought.

"Nicolas... are you really going to be this heartless toward me? Vergil would be heartbroken if he knew." Stephanie's cries echoed in the air, but this time, they stirred no emotions in Nicolas.

Vergil had done much for Nicolas. Over the years, he had helped clean up the messes Stephanie left behind, which was more than enough to repay that kindness. Now there was also Oliver to consider. Nicolas turned on the light, seeing Oliver's small figure huddled in a corner, trembling uncontrollably. Oliver didn't even dare to look up at the harsh truth that awaited him.

Thea waited until she finished tending to Nicolas's wound before she could finally address him. Nicolas was clingy, his neediness even making Joyce squirm. Maybe only Thea can handle him,' Joyce thought. "What are you doing squatting there? I remember you were pretty arrogant when we first met. Now you look like a coward,"

Thea said.

Every time Thea spoke to Oliver, she would bend down in detail and look into his eyes.

Even Stephanie didn't know who Oliver's biological father was. With an unreliable mother, Oliver's fate was doomed from the start.

In that frail little figure, Thea saw her own past self. Ever since the Rowland family had turned their backs on her, Thea had tried to hide in the shadows, waiting for the light to arrive.

Her grandfather was her light. Now, Thea wanted to be Oliver's light. "Your father and I never said we didn't want you."