"Bruce? Who''s that?"


    "Bruce!" Nic said, her face a picture of innocence,pletely unaware of the adult drama swirling around her. "Bruce is pretty and so nice. She yed with me and even gave me yummy candy..."


    Before Nic could finish, Karina''s expression had already darkened.


    "You''ll eat anything a stranger gives you? Aren''t you afraid of being poisoned!” Karina''s sudden outburst made Nic tremble uncontrobly.


    Nic''s lower lip quivered, and just as she was about to speak, she saw Karina storm out of the room and barge directly into the study.


    Noah was in the middle of work and frowned instinctively when he saw Karina enter.


    “Have you no shame, Noah? Taking our child to fool around with another woman? Aren''t you afraid you''ll corrupt her?” Karina demanded, pointing an using finger at him.


    "What are you talking about?” Noah said coldly.


    "What am I talking about? Nic told me everything! You took her camping with that woman! I''m not even dead yet, and you''re already this desperate to rece me! In your dreams!” Karina shrieked hysterically.


    Noah just stared at her, his eyes cold, not bothering to waste a single word on an exnation.


    He had taken Nic camping with Bet and Dominic; running into Cynthia had been aplete ident. But Karina was unhinged, and it would be a waste of breath to try and exin. He knew she wouldn''t listen.


    Although their marriage hadn''t started with love, Noah had always treated Karina as his wife since they''d exchanged vows.


    When she didn''t know how to handle things, or even when she made mistakes, Noah had tried his best to guide and correct her. But it had be clear that Karina was incapable of listening. All his efforts had been in vain.


    Noah had long agoe to regret his impulsive decision to marry her.


    Back then, after Cynthia had suddenly left, Noah had been devastated. Karina had appeared at just the right moment, caring for him tirelessly and pulling him out of his despair.


    Noah didn''t love her, but he was grateful. So, when the White family tried to force Karina to marry a man old enough to be her father, and she had tearfully begged him for help, Noah''s heart had softened.


    He married her, thinking he was saving an innocent girl. But after they were married, not only did Karina fail to cut ties with her fami who only ever treated her like a personal ATM, she continuously gave in to their every demand.


    Noah suddenly realized he had done something incredibly foolish. He had tried to


    pull her out of an abyss, but Karina had never wanted to escape the inferno of the White family.


    "Why aren''t you talking? Feeling guilty? Nothing to say for yourself?" Karina sneered.


    Because Noah couldn''t be bothered to argue, Karina only grew more self-righteous.


    Noah shut down hisptop, stood up, and walked straight out of the study.


    At that moment, Nic happened to


    run in. Tears streamed down the


    little girl''s face as she threw herself at Karina, hugging her legs, "Mommy please dont be mad won''t take candy from anyone ever again, just please don''t be mad."


    Karina, still fuming, didn''t bother tofort the child. Instead, she pushed her away.


    Seeing how pitifully the child was crying, Noah reached out and pulled her into his arms. "Daddy will take you out."


    When Karina Saw Noah trying to take Nic away again, she lost control and lunged forward, grabbing Nic. "Trying to take her to see that bitch again? I''m telling you, Noah, as long as I''m alive, I will never let Nic call another woman ''Mom''!"


    Noah didn''t even have the energy to fight with her. He simply turned and left the


    study.