Chapter 19 Cutting Ties Cleanly
Finished
Madeline held onto Ste’s hand, <b>as </b>if she wanted to say more. But Ste’s stance was firm. “Madam Madeline, I’m sorry, <b>Ethan </b>is not someone I can entrust my life to.”
Madeline fell silent..
Ste continued. “I never expected his undivided loyalty, but he hasn’t even <b>given </b>me the bare minimum of respect,”
Madeline sighed. “This…”
but
She couldn’t deny it. Ethan hadn’t <b>shown </b>Ste even the most basic respect. Even as his mother, she couldn’t blindly defend
him.
“But what will you do? Without Ethan, your life in the Reed family will be even harder.”
Madeline reminded Ste of her standing in the Reed family. Even though everyone now despised Lillian<b>, </b>they still had to Jacknowledge that she held <b>a </b>significant position within the family.
Ste lowered her gaze without responding.
Madeline pressed on, “<b>You </b>don’t need to answer me now. I’ll talk to Ethan, and Lillian v
will be sent away as
as soon as possible.”
She was beyond furious. What hold does Lillian have over Ethan to make him so utterly bewitched?
The thought of Ste and Ethanpletely breaking things off, leaving Ethan free to be even more reckless with Lillian<b>. </b>made her blood <b>boil</b><b>. </b>
“The Reed family favors Lillian. If you keep pushing back against Ethan, things won’t be easy for you.”
She was advising Ste to endure it. As her future mother–inw, Madeline was making it clear–she would always be on Ste’s side.
Everyone assumed there was no ce for Ste in the Reed family and that the Keene <b>family </b>was her only refuge.
Ste nced at Madeline. I’ve gotten through tough times before, haven’t I? <b>Madam</b>, <b>this </b>is the end for <b>Ethan </b>and me.”
Things had alreadye this far–there was no turning back. Ste’s tone was <b>resolute </b>and final.
She had no intention of leaving even a <b>shred </b>of hope for anyone. Simply put, she hated unnecessary trouble. She wanted to cut <b>things </b>clean <b>and </b>move on.
Madeline <b>saw </b>her unwavering attitude and felt slightly embarrassed. “You child…”
She had humbled herself <b>and </b>said everything she could, yet Ste <b>was </b>still this stubborn?
Her tone carried <b>a </b><b>hint </b>of dissatisfaction
now.
Ste didn’t want to waste any more time. “I’m leaving.”
With <b>that</b>, she shoved the ne firmly <b>into </b>Madeline’s <b>hands </b>and turned to leave.
Madeline had more to <b>say</b>, but seeing Ste’s determined posture and then looking at the <b>ne </b>in her hand, she could only <b>stomp </b>her foot in <b>frustration</b>.
The butler appeared <b>behind </b>her. “Madam Madeline. What <b>is </b>she being so proud about? Who else would take her if not
Ethan?”
<b>She </b>was engaged to Ethan. Who else in Rivermount’s elite circle would be foolish enough to marry her <b>on </b>short notice? And as for the Reed <b>family</b>..
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Chapter 19 Cutting Ties Cleanly
The butler nced in the direction Ste had left. <b>“</b>She’s young. She can’t swallow this humiliation.”
To him, Ste’s reaction was purely driven by the injustice she felt over Lillian..
Madeline thought the same.
Finished
She scoffed. “If she wants to make a scene, she should at least pick the right ce. She can fight with the Reed family all she wants, but acting <b>self</b>–righteous in front of me?”
If not for Nicole insisting Ethan had to marry Ste–iming Ste’s birth chart was exceptionally auspicious–Madeline wouldn’t have even considered epting a daughter–inw from the Reed family.
Her frustration only grew. She was <b>furious </b>at Ethan for being tangled up with Lillian, but she was even angrier that Ste had been the one to call off the engagement.
Now the Keene family had lost all face–both publicly and privately.
And to make things worse, Nicole had given her a strict order–which was to get Ste <b>back</b><b>. </b>
But with the way Ste carried herself, fearless, untouchable, how am I supposed to do that? Madeline’s expression darkened with
anger.
“This is infuriating! Where is Lillian hospitalized?”
The butler replied, “Rivermount International Medical Center.”
Ste walked out of Keene Estate.
Just as she reached her car, a horn honked from nearby. Looking up, she saw Ethan’s Rolls–Royce Phantom parked not far away.
He’s still here?
Ethan stepped out, a cigarette between <b>his </b>fingers.
His tall, lean figure exuded natural dominance, an aura of authority that kept <b>others </b>at a distance.
Truth be told, he was undeniably handsome.
In just a year, he had doubled Keene Group’s market value, and he was also lial and respectful toward his <b>elders</b>.
Everything about him was impressive–except for his taste in women. Absolutely Mind.
When Ste met his <b>gaze</b><b>, </b>she showed no kindness.
Ethan was the first to speak. “Give your car keys to <b>Jason</b>. He’ll drive it back to Kingston Heights. You’reing with me.”
“I can drive<b>.” </b>
Ste scoffed, her voice dripping with <b>sarcasm</b>. Those three words were a deration of independence. I would never be the one left behind.