"This is between the two of you. Handle your rtionship problems yourselves. There''s no need to drag the police into it. It''s just wasting everyone''s time.”


    Mr. Ratcliff turned to the officer. "Officer, we won''t be pressing charges against Millie. Sorry for the trouble. Please wrap this up and let her go."


    "Of course. Please wait a moment."


    With Mr. Ratcliff making the call, the police didn''t hesitate. They signed the paperwork and went to get Millie from the back.


    Once the police and others were gone, Mr. Ratcliff finally nced at Sofia, but his words were for Sebastian.


    "I told you a long time ago to stay away from this woman. Don''t let her upset


    Reese. Reese''s pregnant. Now, look at this mess. You actually brought all this to the police station because of her.


    "The butler saw all that stuff online and called me. You''ve embarrassed the whole Ratcliff family."


    Sofia''s face went pale. She looked at Sebastian, but he just pressed his lips together and said nothing.


    Reese ignored the tension between grandfather and grandson, her eyes glued to the hallway.


    As soon as Millie came out, Reese rushed over and hugged her tight, her eyes already red.


    "Why did you have to be so impulsive? Why are you messing with him? If something had really happened, I wouldn''t have been able to protect you."


    "I''m sorry," Millie said, her voice trembling with tears. "I just saw all those nasty things people were saying online. I couldn''t help myself. I''m sorry for causing you trouble. It won''t happen again."


    Reese squeezed her tighter. After all, this had started because of her. Millie had stood up for her, even lost her job. How could Reese be mad at her?


    Mr. Ratcliff watched and sighed. "Let''s go home and talk."


    He looked at Sebastian. "You''reing too."


    Sebastian didn''t answer. “Grandpa, you and Reese go ahead. I''ll take Sofia home first."


    Mr. Ratcliff red but didn''t say more.


    Reese handed her car keys to Millie. "Drive my car back and let your mom know you''re safe." Then she followed Mr. Ratcliff to the car.


    Back at the Ratcliff family house, under a ginkgo tree, Robbie was kicking the trunk, letting out his anger. Even though the Ratcliff Global PR team had covered up most of the rumors online, plenty of people still knew.


    All afternoon, Robbie had gotten calls from ssmates, all asking if Reese was really his mom. One kid even asked if he was the child from that old scandal.


    Robbie had never been so embarrassed in front of his friends. He med his mom for all of it.


    When he saw the car pull in, he stopped kicking and just stared, seething.


    As soon as Reese stepped out, Robbie ran over and kicked her in the shin.


    "Why did you have to tell everyone about you and Dad?


    "Now all my friends areughing at me!


    "Someone like you doesn''t deserve to be my mom!"


    Mr. Ratcliff, getting out right behind them, was startled by Robbie''s outburst and quickly called out, "Help Mrs. Ratcliff. Don''t let her fall!"


    Then he shot a look at Jane, who was standing off to the side. "Is this how you raise him?"


    Jane looked hurt and muttered, "Robbie''s not wrong, though..." Still, she grabbed Robbie and led him inside.


    "Are you alright?" Mr. Ratcliff asked, checking on Reese. "Robbie''s just acting out because Jane spoils him. Don''t take it to heart.


    "I''ll handle Sebastian and that woman. I won''t let you get hurt.


    "But you shouldn''t have brought up the past at the police station. In the end, it''s


    the Ratcliff family''s reputation that suffers."


    "Grandpa, you don''t need to worry about Sofia," Reese said quietly. "If Sebastian really cares about her, I''ll just step aside."