After the divorce, he begged

Chapter 167

“Didn’t | tell you belone? May said, not showing even a hint of guilt, sounding completely convincing “Your mom

lived in an orphanage until she turned eighteen, and after that, she worked part-tjobs through college

“Who could possibly save up that much money from part-tgigs? Rebecca shot back.

May answered without missing a beat, propping her chin in her hand. “Your mom, my bestie, obviously.”

Rebecca felt speechless.

“Don’t doubt it.” May said sincerely. “Your mom was seriously impressive. If she and Jeffrey were the sage.

even your husband might not be able to hold a candle to her.”

“So why did she pick my dad?” Rebecca pressed, her tone unusually serious. With such great instincts and skills,

there was no way Amelia couldn't see through a guy. Rebecca knew that something definitely didn’t add

up.

“Well... May pursed her lips, not expecting Rebecca to ask so sharply. “No one can have everything. She was so

successful in her career that her judgment of guys was bound to be a bit off.”

“If Mom was really as amazing as you say, she wouldn't have married Dad.” Rebecca was sharper than ever.

“Grandma and Grandpa weren't exactly her biggest fans, either.”

Amelia was smart, successful, and had a good heart. It didn’t make sense that she would marry someone like

Richard.

May was at a loss for words.

Rebecca pressed on, “Their marriage felt more like a business arrangement.” She knew that her parents had

signed a prenup ahead of tand kept all their finances completely separate. She thought even the way they

interacted day to day was strange.

Back then, Rebecca believed her parents got along perfectly and loved each other. But now, it felt too flawless,

like a carefully staged act..

“What are you rambling on about, kid?” May was starting to sweat.

“So, is it that Mom asked you to keep quiet about this, or did she share the story with sother close friend

and leave you out?” Rebecca asked smoothly.

“If it’s the latter, | won't press you. | know bringing it up makes you feel upset every time.”

May couldn’t handle the thought, “She didn’t have any other close friends. Her ride-or-die is just me.”

Rebecca replied dismissively. “Oh.”

May asked, “You don’t believe me, do you?”

10:32 Mon, Sep 29

Chapter 167

“I do Heleva answered, her face absolutely sincere

“You don't believeMay said Memories rushed back. “Your mom was amazing back then, totally stole the

me? spotlight Everyone was jealous, but | was the only one smart enough to keep her as my true ally”

“Who are you talking about?” Rebecca pressed

“Just the people in her circle, May replied breezily

Rebecca pulled up a photo on her phone and handed it to May. “Did that include him?”

May glanced instinctively. Seeing it was Ryan, her expression flickered briefly before she masked it. “Why do you

still have his photo? Didn't | warn you he’s trouble? Stay away from him.”

“I saw him,” Rebecca admitted honestly. “He even gavehis business card.”

May immediately perked up. “You actually took it?”

“Yeah, | took it,” Rebecca said.

May's tone turned anxious. “How could you accept it? That guy is just pure trash, Rebecca, you...”

Rebecca shot back, “As if!”

May stopped short. “Wait, what?”

“I didn’t take it. | threw it away,” Rebecca said, trusting May wouldn't let her down. “You're usually chill, but you

lose it whenever his ncomes up. Did he have something with Mom?”

May’s mouth hung open. For once, she had no idea what to say.

“You toldMom grew i

in an orphanage, so he can’t be a relative, Rebecca guessed. The only way you'd go off on him like that is if he

screwed over Mom.”

“Or maybe their partnership fell apart and he made off with the cash, May said, genuinely surprised by how

spot-on Rebecca's guess was.

“You can just be upfront about it,” Rebecca replied, sharp as ever. “No need to hide anything

May rubbed her forehead, thinking, ‘Alright, this kid's gotten too smart to brush off.”

“His nis Ryan, and he was the only real relationship your mom ever had,” May finally admitted after a long

pause. “They dated for five years, but in the end, he betrayed her and married another woman.”

Rebecca didn’t look the least bit shocked. “No wonder he always has that sad look in his eyes whenever he sees

Mom.

“Sad? Hell no,” May scoffed, her resentment for Ryan clear. If it weren't for him, Amelia wouldn't have had to

move away. “He's just mad the woman he ended up with doesn’t compare to your mom, and now he’s stuck with

regret.

10:32 Mon, Sep 20

Chapter 167

AD

Rebecca frowised Ryan really didn’t seem like the type, Guess you can’t judge a book by its cover, she

thought

Anyway, just keep your distance from him. May said, her disgust practically dripping through every wordt, “Guys

like him don’t even deserve to be anywhere near Amelia.”

Rebecca nodded. “Alright”

After that, the talk tuned lighter. May steered Rebecca away from Amelia’s past, and Rebecca avoided bringing

up Jeffrey. They simply caught up and talked about anything but old baggage.

They finished eating quickly, and before long, they were on their way to the hospital to visit Amelia Amelia was

supposed to wake up soon, and Reberca couldn’t wait to finally see her mom open her eyes again.

Before they even saw Amelia, Rebecca and May spotted Ryan and his secretary walking toward Amelia’s hospital

room

Rebecca was just about to say something, but May rushed forward and yanked Ryan back right as he reached

the doorway. May glared at him, her tone sharp but controlled. “What are you doing here? You don’t belong here.

Ryan paused for a second, and when he realized it was May who'd grabbed him, his eyes lost that icy edge. In a

calm, flat voice, he said, “I heard Amelia woke up. Just cto see her.”

“It doesn’t concern you whether she’s awake or not,” Rebecca replied, stepping up beside May and blocking the

doorway. | already told you that last time.”

Ryan's eyes locked on Rebecca, his gaze heavy with semotion buried deep inside.

Seeing Ryan's expression, May felt her heart skip a beat, thinking. ‘Wait... what if he’s figured our Rebecca's

actually his kid?”

“I'm someone from your mom's past. Ask May if you don’t believe me,” Ryan said, his tone gentle and patient.

“May already toldhow you hurt my mom, Rebecca replied coolly, looking at Ryan like he was just another

stranger. “If you've got nothing else to say, just go. You're not welchere.”

Ryan glanced briefly at May and then looked Rebecca straight in the eyes. “She doesn’t know everything,

There's more to it. | can set the record straight.”

Rebecca cut him off, her gaze unwavering. “I don’t want to hear it.”

Ryan's fists tightened by his sides, his voice low. “So you hatenow.”

“Mr. Cuzman, | don’t hate you. There's nothing between us, Rebecca replied coolly, her tone flat as ice. “I'm

just doing my job as a daughter. Keeping irrelevant people out of my mom's life.”

Ryan’s expression flickered with emotion. After a long pause, he simply said, “I'll be going, then.”

Rebecca didn’t respond.

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Chapter 162

As Ryan uned to leave, he shot May a look. “Can we step outside for a chat? Got a minut

May shut uns down fast. “No.”

Ryan just stared at May, his silence somehow more intimidating than any words could be.

ooo

May had endured this kind of intense pressure way too often in her younger days, so after barely ten seconds.

she gave in and strode out. “One minute tops. Say what you need and then get lost.”

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