Chapter 300
Scarlett radiated an aura of fakery and sycophancy as she approached Henry’s car, her eyes glimmering with that same greed I’d always seen in them.
“My dear wonderful son–in–law!” she exclaimed enthusiastically, her voice dripping with artificial sweetness. “Running imo you like this is such a rare opportunity. We should chat more… perhaps over coffee? Or we could find a hotel to sit and talk properly!”
She leaned closer to the car window, practically salivating at the proximity to wealth.
“This is actually the first time I’ve seen you in person, son–in–law, she continued, completely ignoring Henry’s cold expression. “You know what they say–a mother–in–law always grows fonder of her son–in–law the more she sees him. And I’m absolutely delighted with you!”
Without waiting for Henry’s response, she reached for the door handle, attempting to enter his car.
Henry detested anyone touching his possessions, especially his car, and immediately pressed the central locking button. The locks engaged with a sharp click that echoed in the quiet street.
Scarlett tugged at the handle unsuccessfully, then realized Henry wasn’t going to let her in, and withdrew her hand with an awkward laugh.
“Son–in–law, what does this mean? Are you embarrassed by your mother–in–law?” Her voice carried a reproachful tone. “That’s not right. What son–in–law avoids his mother–in–law? You married my daughter, which makes me your elder no matter what.”
Her eagerness to establish a connection with Henry was painfully obvious. A man of his wealth could solve all her financial problems with just pocket change.
That ungrateful bitch Sophia had deliberately kept her family away from this gold mine, refusing to let them get close to Henry.
The next time she saw that girl, she’d beat her until she couldn’t get up!
Henry found Scarlett’s fawning behavior utterly repulsive. His face expressionless, he addressed her:
“Mrs. Hernandez,” he said coldly, “I only want to ask you a few questions. Just answer truthfully.”
As he spoke, he pulled out a thick stack of hundred–dollar bills from the passenger seat and waved it before her eyes.
Scarlett’s gaze locked instantly onto the money, her eyes widening like a hungry wolf spotting prey.
“Ask away, son–in–law! I’ll tell you everything I know.”
Henry ran his fingertips along the edge of the bills, creating a crisp fluttering sound that made Scarlett’s mouth water with anticipation.
“When did Sophia and Sam first meet?” he asked directly.
“I’m not entirely sure about the exact time,” she replied, her eyes never leaving the stack of bills. “I think they met when Sophia was about six or seven. I was remarrying then, and Sophia didn’t want to live with me, so she ran away into the
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mountains.”
“What was their relationship?”
Without hesitation, Scarlett responded: “They were lovers! From the moment that ungrateful girl got her first period, Sam was the one taking care of her—buying her sanitary pads, disposable underwear, overnight pants. Those two were inseparable. If he hadn’t joined the military, they might never have been apart.”
“Were Sophia and Sam married?” Henry’s voice remained steady, though his knuckles had whitened around the money.
Scarlett waved her hands emphatically: “No! Sophia wasn’t old enough to marry back then. Besides, I always opposed that relationship. Without my consent, they couldn’t get married!”
As he heard Scarlett’s answers, Henry’s heart sank deeper and deeper.
“How many years were Sophia and Sam together?”
Scarlett pondered for a moment, then shook her head. “Hard to say exactly. Sophia started living with Sam when she was six or seven. They were childhood sweethearts. If I had to calculate, their relationship lasted at least six years, but it’s difficult to be precise.”
Suddenly, a look of realization crossed her face, and she narrowed her eyes suspiciously at Henry.
“Son–in–law, why are you asking all these questions? Did Sophia do something to betray you?” Her voice dropped to a conspiratoriál whisper.
Is that child in her belly Sam’s? Did she make you raise another man’s baby?”
Henry’s expression darkened dangerously.
Anyone who knew him would recognize this as the precursor to his rage. Scarlett, oblivious to the warning signs,
continued her tirade.
“Son–in–law, if you don’t want to be the one picking up the pieces, you should divorce her immediately!” She leaned closer to the window. “Let me tell you, Sophia is no good. She doesn’t even respect me, her own mother–how could she possibly be good to someone who isn’t even related by blood?”
“Silly son–in–law, you should run while you can. Get as far away from that woman as possible. Don’t let her trap you, or you’ll end up miserable.”
Scarlett, who despised Sophia, took advantage of her daughter’s absence to speak as much ill of Sophia as possible, hoping to convince Henry to divorce her immediately.
As her emotions intensified, spittle flew from her mouth.
She remained blind to Henry’s mounting fury as she continued her rant, painting Sophia as the most ungrateful person on
earth.
Finally, Henry’s patience snapped completely.
“Have you said enough?” he growled, his eyes burning with murderous intent.
He didn’t need anyone else’s assessment of who Sophia was. After more than six years of marriage, he knew her character
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far better than Scarlett ever could. If he hadn’t been trying to extract information abona tam, ho exchanging a single word with this woman.
Listening to her endlessly defame Sophia had pushed him over the edge.
“Having you as her mother is truly Sophia’s misfortune,‘ he spat. A woman like you doesn’t deserve th
If Scarlett hadn’t been a woman, he would have slapped her already.
He carelessly tossed the money he’d promised her onto the ground outside the car window, like throwing scraps to beggar.
“If I ever hear you badmouthing Sophia again,” he threatened, his voice ice–cold, “I’ll rip out your tongue.
Scarlett stood frozen in shock, not expecting such viciousness from Henry. She remained speechless until the black botry car drove away. Only then did she bend down to collect the money from the ground, stuffing it hastily into her purse clutching her chest.
“Doesn’t the son–in–law dislike that little bitch? Why is he protecting her?” she muttered to herself.
Suddenly, a wave of panic washed over her.
“Oh no, I said so many awful things about that little bitch–will he still give me money in the future? Her eyes widened with alarm. “No, no, I need to control my mouth. I can’t risk losing that money.”
Afraid that Henry would cut off her money supply, she chased after his car, running and shouting: “Son–in–law! I was wrong! I won’t speak carelessly again! Please don’t stop giving me money!”
But the car had already disappeared, leaving only a trail of exhaust fumes.
Inside the vehicle, Henry’s eyes grew increasingly cold.
Though most of Scarlett’s slander against Sophia was clearly unreliable, one statement had lodged like a thorn in his heart -the possibility that Sophia had married him while carrying Sam’s child.
If Billy was truly Sam’s son, what would become of their marriage?
Would he still refuse the divorce?
He asked himself this question repeatedly but couldn’t arrive at an answer.
