Chapter 660
Chapter 660:
When she was a child, fragments of gossip about her parents’ impending divorce had drifted through the house.
Lauren’s lips pressed together, but at last she gave another nod. “Yes p>
“Dad looked unusually resolute today,” Rebecca remarked. “What exactly did you do back then to drive Gabriela’s mother away?” she asked.
Lauren gave a contemptuous smile. “A woman with no status or support—pressuring the people around her was enough to make her retreat p>
Rebecca’s eyes sparked with sudden realization.
Why had that strategy never crossed her mind before?
ոo𝘷е𝘭𝗌 𝘪𝗇 𝗍𝗋е𝘯𝘥 on
Who could Gabriela possibly call her closest friend?
Was it Tessa? Aubrey? Tyler? Or perhaps one of the two elderly men she lived with?
A dozen ruthless strategies for forcing Gabriela to retreat flickered through Rebecca’s mind, each one sharper than the last.
Catching sight of her daughter’s faraway stare, Lauren called softly, “Rebecca, what’s on your mind p>
“Nothing at all.” Rebecca gave a small shake of her head, choosing not to let her mother glimpse the schemes circling in her mind.
Her mother’s attempt at murder had been laughably transparent—her father had seen through it with ease. As such, she decided to deal with Gabriela in her own way.
After a pause, Rebecca’s voice softened with feigned curiosity. “Mom, how did Dad end up marrying you back then p>
That single question touched the rawest corner of Lauren’s past, one she least wished to revisit.
She had fallen hopelessly for Matthew the very first time their eyes met, but he had shown her nothing but indifference. In desperation, she had begged her father to use the most ruthless measures to bind Matthew to her as a husband. Yet, in her heart, she had always insisted—it was all because she loved him.
After marrying into the Howard family, she had tried to play the part of a dutiful wife and mother, yet Matthew’s heart remained as unyielding as stone.
That cold indifference only deepened her hatred for Alanna.
As she recounted the past, she painted herself in a noble light. “The Howard family’s downfall had nothing to do with the McCoys,” she insisted, her voice steady, almost righteous. “If I hadn’t married your father, the Howard Group might not even exist today. And what has he given in return? Nothing but a frozen heart. He’s turned his back on the kindness the McCoy family offered, eager to burn the bridge the moment he crossed it p>
Rebecca’s brows drew together, a faint crease of doubt shadowing her expression.
She had overheard Matthew’s words that the McCoy family had orchestrated the Howard Group’s downfall.
Yet with her mother denying it so firmly, she chose to believe her instead.
That version of the story best served both her and her mother’s interests.
Catching the venomous glint in Rebecca’s eyes, Lauren hurried to rein her in. “Rebecca, don’t let your anger get the better of you. Gabriela is insignificant—hardly worth your attention. Stay patient. I’ll handle her myself p>