Chapter 658
Chapter 658:
Lauren’s mind went blank, her pulse thundering in her ears as she stared at Matthew in disbelief. Her lips trembled before she managed to whisper, “Matthew… are you actually trying to threaten me p>
Matthew drew in a deep breath, forcing steadiness into his voice though his eyes betrayed exhaustion. “No, Lauren. This isn’t a threat. It’s a plea—I’m begging you, let me walk away p>
Her gaze sharpened, catching the cold distance in his expression, the absence of the warmth that once bound them. A jagged laugh tore from her throat, rising higher until it echoed through the room like madness.
“Matthew, how merciless you are! After three decades as husband and wife, I mean less to you than some child born out of wedlock p>
W𝖾 uр𝗱𝖺t𝘦 𝗲𝘃еr𝗒 𝗐𝘦𝖾𝗸 oո
Matthew shot back, his tone like steel, each syllable pressed with finality. “If you hadn’t schemed and forced Alanna out of my life, Gabriela would have grown up as my daughter from the very start p>
Lauren’s face contorted, her voice breaking as rage laced every word. “And Rebecca? Have you forgotten her? She’s your flesh and blood as well. Do you mean to cast her aside just to cherish that illegitimate daughter p>
Matthew’s voice carried a heavy finality. “Half my shares are already in her name. Everything else—my assets, my properties—will one day belong to you and Rebecca. Lauren, I’m only doing this for Rebecca. I feel sorry for her, but I’ve done nothing to wrong you p>
The words struck like a slap. Rage flared in Lauren’s widening eyes. “Matthew, how dare you p>
Unable to win in argument, she shifted her fury into physical defiance.
She would rather trap him in misery than let him walk away.
Rebecca, watching the scene boil over, pressed down her resentment. Her heart pounding, she hurried forward, feigning innocence, pretending she hadn’t overheard a single damning word. “Mom, Dad, what’s happening here? I just walked in and heard you two shouting p>
The fear flickering across Rebecca’s face made Matthew force his temper back down.
However furious he was with Lauren, their daughter bore no blame in this.
Lauren quickly buried the venom in her gaze and arranged a brittle smile for Rebecca. “Rebecca, you’re back. Tell me, has your grandmother forgiven you p>
“Forgive me? Why would I need her forgiveness?” Rebecca’s tone cut sharp as glass. “Gabriela only had a few dozen computers smashed, yet somehow she walked away with three hundred million in compensation p>
Her eyes cut sharply toward Matthew as she pressed, her voice laced with accusation. “She’d probably be thrilled if I kept smashing things until the Howard fortune ran dry. Isn’t that what she wants, Dad p>
Matthew’s face darkened, lips parting to reply, but Lauren’s cold sneer cut across the room. “Gabriela is nothing but a greedy woman. You don’t need to waste your energy on her p>
Ignoring Lauren, Rebecca turned her gaze back to her father, her tone direct and biting. “Tell me, Dad, why did you hand Gabriela so much money? Last time, she only ended up with a scratch on her neck from someone I sent, and that tiny wound somehow drained a hundred million out of the Howard family’s accounts. Now you’re giving her three hundred million! Are you trying to make me look like a fool p>