Chapter 145
Emmanuel didn’t like to quarrel with a woman. Not to mention that she was
Ryder’s relative, which meant that he should act in consideration of Ryder at
the very least.
However, Mackenzie couldn’t stand it any longer. After walking up to
Emmanuel’s side, she responded, “Is this your son? He broke Tommy’s
birthday gift!”
Upon hearing that, Chloe didn’t pay attention to the matter. Instead, she
reacted just like Abellyn when she first saw Mackenzie. This woman is so
beautiful!
Not only was Mackenzie beautiful, but she also had the temperament of a
socialite of high status. Even the boss of Chloe’s previous company seemed
far inferior to her!
Although Chloe, like Abellyn, was also considered a beauty when she was
young, she couldn’t help but feel jealous of Mackenzie’s beauty and
elegance.
Besides, Chloe marveled at Emmanuel’s luck because she couldn’t believe
that a poor guy like him would be able to marry such a gorgeous woman.
“Chloe, let me introduce you to my sister–in–law, Ms. Mackenzie Quillen!”
As the host, Ryder walked over and introduced them politely.
Chloe immediately put on her widest smile and tried to please Mackenzie
because she believed that the gorgeous lady before her was rich and had
high social status.
However, Mackenzie didn’t bother to respond to her. Her expression was
indifferent as ever.
This woman is adamant about defending her son regardless of the truth, so
she’s definitely not a righteous person!
Furthermore, Mackenzie was very protective of Emmanuel. Although she
bullied him sometimes, she would never allow anyone else to do so.
She also wouldn’t let anyone bully Tommy, who was an obedient kid.
“What birthday gift? We are guests today. Although my son broke your son’s
toy, he’s only eight years old. Don’t tell me you expect me to compensate
you?” Chloe asked Ryder impatiently.
Ryder looked helpless because he knew he was being guilt–tripped.
Emmanuel understood very well that if Ryder got into an argument with
Chloe, the three women of the Sheppard family could defeat him easily.
Mackenzie, too, was unhappy that Ryder couldn’t defend his son.
However, on account of Emmanuel, she didn’t want to argue with these
women at Ryder’s house. She didn’t want to be blamed in case any problem
arose in Ryder’s marriage.
Hence, she merely said to Tommy, who was still crying, “Don’t cry. I’ll buy you
a better one. This broken toy can be given to a child who suits it!”
Although she didn’t state it explicitly, it was obvious that she was implying
that the toy was for someone of poor character.
However, Chloe couldn’t understand the underlying meaning because she
clearly lacked education. Looking like she had stumbled upon a great deal,
she quickly stuffed the drone into her son’s hands without giving Tommy a
chance to refuse.
On the other hand, Tommy was generous. “You can have that broken toy.
When I have a new one, I won’t let you play with it!” he declared with a cold
snort.
This time, Robby burst into real tears. With an envious expression on his face,
he pleaded to his mother, “Mom, I want a new toy too! I want one too!”
Chloe was about to agree to buy him a new one when she saw the price tag
still attached to Tommy’s toy. The toy cost eight hundred and eighty–six. How
could she afford to buy such an expensive toy for her son to play with?
“No showing off, Tommy! You’re still a young kid. Who taught you to be so
arrogant?”
Abellyn couldn’t help but feel that Mackenzie was intentionally showing off.
However, since Mackenzie was not someone to be messed with, she directed
her frustration toward Tommy.
Disgusted by Abellyn’s behavior, Mackenzie thought that she was unworthy of
being Tommy’s mother.
“All right, it’s our son’s birthday today. No one is allowed to scold him! Go to
the kitchen and help out so we can start the feast sooner and welcome the
guests.”
Ryder couldn’t take it anymore and finally spoke up.
However, Abellyn snorted coldly and sat back on the couch with her arms
crossed, throwing a tantrum. “I’m not making dinner. Other people’s wives
don’t have to work in the kitchen, so why should I?”
Ryder really had had enough of her. He was so angry that he raised his hand.
going on. She quickly flashed Abellyn a stern look. “Why don’t you go prepare
Under her mother’s command, Abellyn let out another scoff before
Ryder’s anger subsided as he managed to maintain a bit of dignity.
“Emmanuel, I need to go back and handle some work now,” Mackenzie said
as she glanced at the time.
She had no intention of staying for dinner because she had lost her appetite
“We shall make our move first, Ryder.”
“Oh… Oh!”
Ryder wasn’t angry. He just felt guilty for not being able to welcome them
with dinner properly, especially after Mackenzie had bought an expensive
birthday gift for Tommy while Emmanuel had brought cake. He felt that it was
quite impolite of them as the hosts.
Tommy cried and refused to let Emmanuel and Mackenzie leave.
Once dinner was over, Abellyn chatted with Mary and Chloe in the living
room, leaving Ryder to help Tommy with his homework in the room. She
acted like it wasn’t her responsibility to teach Tommy.
Ryder suddenly felt bitterness welling up in his heart. As someone from the
Over the years, he always treated his wife very well and considered himself
pregnant, even though their child was now six years old.
Ryder hadn’t thought much of it before that. After all, his cousin Jack’s wife
also stopped working after they got married. However, after seeing
Emmanuel’s wife, he couldn’t help but compare Abellyn to her.
Why is my wife so different from Emmanuel’s wife?
She’s not as good–looking, not as classy, and not as capable!
This was a habit that had developed over the years that she simply couldn’t
change. From the moment they got married, she felt that he was truly lucky
to be able to marry her.
Moreover, with the comments from her relatives and friends over the years,
“What is it?”
registration to us so that he can secure a spot at the nearby elementary
Abellyn’s tone was calm as she commanded Ryder to follow her instructions.
However, Ryder exclaimed, “What? How can we do that? Robby is not our
child!”
where will he live if he studies here?”
as Robby’s living expenses. I’m sure an eight–year–old child can’t eat that
much, so you will definitely gain from it!”
Ryder felt like he was being forced to eat a dead rat while being pressured to
say it tasted delicious.
Since he wasn’t good with words, he didn’t know how to respond. Waving his
hands repeatedly, he said, “No, absolutely not! I won’t agree to it!”
He was so angry that he could kill someone!
your family when we got married? What now? Have you forgotten your vows
now that I’ve become older and not as good–looking as before?
Ryder struggled to catch his breath from anger.
Indeed, Abellyn’s looks and figure couldn’t compare to how she was six years
ago.
Wasn’t she framing him of what she always did?
“Anyway, this matter is decided. If you think five hundred is not enough for
after a long time, he was still unable to calm his anger.
Chloe and Robby hadn’t left Yeringham and were instead staying in a rented
house.
A year ago, Chloe’s husband passed away due to an accident, leaving her
She could have used the money to buy a house in Yeringham, but she
by Mary, but Chloe hadn’t given her mother any caretaker fees for the past
and gave the excuse that she was already old. In the end, Mary sent Robby
back to Chloe yesterday.
Left with no choice, Chloe decided to put the pressure on Ryder.
When Chloe saw Abellyn, she immediately held her sister’s hand and asked
anxiously, “How is it, Abellyn? Did that honest guy agree?”
willing. I told him you will give him eight hundred every month for living
As they spoke, Robby secretly eavesdropped from inside the house.
Before she could finish, Abellyn hurriedly covered her mouth and glanced
inside the house.
Robby quickly pretended to play with his toys happily as if he hadn’t heard
anything.
“Don’t blabber about it, Chloe! If that honest guy finds out, I’ll be in trouble!”
Abellyn whispered anxiously.
“Hmmph, that man is truly foolish! Does he really think he could have married
a beautiful woman like you with his conditions?” Chloe complained.
Then, she said directly, “Forget it. Let him be a little happier. If he still doesn’t
want to, you and I can sleep with him together and have Robby acknowledge
him as his godfather!”
Even Abellyn, who was not a virtuous woman herself, was shocked by the
suggestion.
“Are you mad, Chloe? Both of us sleep with that kind of man? Who is he to
deserve that? Even if we have to sleep with someone, that someone should
be a wealthy man like Shawn. At least we may be able to gain some money
from it!”
Abellyn wasn’t a chaste woman, but she thought a poor man like Ryder
would be having it a little too easy if they slept with him.
Every time she slept with him, she felt as if she was experiencing sleep
paralysis. If Chloe slept with him too, she couldn’t even imagine the scene.
“If we had a choice, of course I would, Abellyn! But look at our age now and
our figures! Why would wealthy men like Shawn fall for us? Do you think we
still look like we did ten years ago?”
Chloe’s words served to remind Abellyn of a bitter memory.
Back when Abellyn found it too tiring to work in a factory, she started working
at a bathhouse after Chloe encouraged her to.
At that time, many men would make appointments with her because of her
attractive looks and figure. One could even say her business was thriving.
Chapter 149
Regretfully, Abellyn had accidentally got pregnant at that time. That was the
only reason she had set her sights on Ryder, who was an honest man, by
pretending to be intoxicated and offering herself to him.
Fortunately, her son was born at full term and resembled her, so the man had
never once suspected the truth in the past six years.
However, a leopard never changed its spots. As she was accustomed to
being lazy, it was practically impossible for her to work for a living anymore.
Yet, it was no longer a piece of cake for her to obtain fast money as she did in
the past
At her silence, Chloe continued softly, “You’re not even thirty years old yet
Abellyn. Try your best to lose weight. Even if you get a divorce, I can introduce
a few rich bachelors to you. So, can you threaten that man a bit when you go
home? All my hopes are pinned on Robby now I only want him to make
something of himself and have someone backing him up if he were to
succeed, he could also support you, no?”
Abellyn had not had much education and had been duped by her sister ever
since she was young. After having been brainwashed then, she gritted her
eeth and vowed, “Don’t worry, Chloe. If he dares refuse, I’ll ask for a divorce!
He won’t bear to part with me!”
‘Yes, this is more like it! You’re still very young, so you have nothing to fear in
:he event of a divorce, Abellyn!”
Only concerned about her own interests, Chloe could not care less about the
possibility of her sister’s marriage crumbling to the ground. She naturally
seconded and incited Abellyn fervently.
When night fell, Emmanuel again received a call from Ryder and made his
way out of the residential area.
Seeing that his cousin had again delivered a box of fresh fruits over, he felt a
tad embarrassed. “Mackenzie and I have enough fruits, Ryder. You don’t need
to always send fruits to us.”
Ryder chuckled airily and replied, “It’s okay, Manny. This is my employee
benefit anyway. Besides, Ms. Quillen and you had someone send a big toy
helicopter over for Tommy. I merely want to express my gratitude.”
Emmanuel sighed imperceptibly.
He was very well–acquainted with both Mackenzie’s and Ryder’s
personalities.
The former always kept her word, and it would seem that she had really had
someone send a huge gift over to Tommy that day. Meanwhile, the latter
was an upright person, and he would likely feel uneasy if he could not repay
Mackenzie by giving her something in return.
That being the case, Emmanuel had no choice but to accept the fruits.
“Uh… Manny…”
Just as Emmanuel spun on his heel to leave, Ryder appeared to have
something to say yet was hesitant to voice it.
“What’s wrong, Ryder?”
Glancing back over his shoulder and noticing the expression on his cousin’s
face, Emmanuel immediately knew that something was bothering the man.
After all, Ryder was a candid person who could never hide his thoughts.
“Oh well, it’s nothing. Go home. Also, thank Ms. Quillen on my behalf once
again!”
Verily, Ryder envied Emmanuel to the core. His wife is far better than mine!
“Just say it if something is the matter. Don’t keep it to yourself! Did Abellyn
pick on you again?”
The sight of his cousin’s frustrated look had anguish flood Emmanuel. Being
all too familiar with Ryder’s family, he could tell the reason right off the bat.
“Uh… Well, I don’t know how to say this.’
Ryder was still wavering, but under Emmanuel’s incessant interrogation, he
ultimately laid his troubles on the table.
“Abellyn has gone overboard! How could she ask such a thing of you?”
After Emmanuel listened to the entire matter, his face had gone as black as
thunder.
Although it’s said that it’s abhorrent to advise someone to get a divorce,
Abellyn has never done a good thing in the nearly seven years she’s been
married to Ryder. Now, she has grown even worse, demanding that Ryder
take her sister and nephew in! I reckon she must be doing this for some
ulterior motive. Otherwise, no one would do such a thing unless she was not
right in the head!
Chapter 150
That night, Mackenzie did not have Emmanuel pick her up from work as she
had to attend a social event for business.
The driver, Wally, was approaching the entrance of the residential area in the
Bentley when he spotted Emmanuel standing by the gates. He hastily
slammed on the brakes.
14
There were lights at the entrance of the residential area, but the
surroundings were dark. For that reason, they could see Emmanuel and
Ryder, but Emmanuel might not necessarily have a clear view of them.
That was doubly true since the man was talking to Ryder.
“Mr. Lowe is at the gates, Ms. Quillen!” Wally reported, awaiting further
instructions.
It was only then that Mackenzie lifted her eyes. When she saw Emmanuel
discussing something emotionally with his cousin, she promptly ordered, “All
right, I’ll be getting down here. Just drive the car back.”
“Understood, Ms. Quillen!”
Upon receiving his orders, Wally instantly drove off and disappeared from
sight.
Mackenzie closed the distance before stepping forward to eavesdrop on the
two men’s conversation.
“What’s your decision, then, Ryder? My suggestion is to never agree to that
demand. Otherwise, it’d be exceedingly difficult for you to get Robby to leave
your house in the future!”
Emmanuel was already being very much polite in his speech. If it were
someone with an explosive temper, that person would have likely roared,
“Have that brat, Robby, buzz off!”
“I don’t want to agree either, but Abellyn said it’d mean I don’t respect her
family, and she’d leave the house immediately. On top of that, she even
threatened to get a divorce!”
Despite despising Abellyn greatly, he still could not accept getting a divorce
when it was such a huge issue. Furthermore, he was afraid that it would
affect Tommy’s life.
That left Emmanuel without a retort.
!
If he were in Ryder’s shoes, he would undoubtedly part ways with Abellyn.
Alas, Tommy had to be taken into consideration as well.
At the end of the day, a broken family is detrimental to a child’s growth.
“How could something so absurd happen?” Mackenzie interjected, strolling
up to them without warning when she could not stand hearing it anymore.
She wore an icy expression on her face, rendering her aura even more
oppressive.
“Ms. Quillen!” Ryder hurriedly greeted.
“Ms-” Emmanuel was about to address her in the same manner when he
remembered that his cousin was still there. “Mackenzie, you’re back?”
Mackenzie shot him a glare. Emmanuel flashed her an apologetic smile as
Open
though he had done something wrong.
Ignoring him, Mackenzie said to Ryder coldly, “Did you marry Abellyn or her
sister? Why are you indulging her when they’re obviously being
unreasonable? If you were to compromise, believe it or not, they’d demand
even more in the future.”
An epiphany dawned upon the two men.
Emmanuel similarly felt that his cousin should confront Abellyn in such a
manner.
Meanwhile, a light bulb went off in Ryder’s head. He felt that Mackenzie had
given voice to his sentiments.
Acting like his superior, Mackenzie continued lecturing, “Your responsibility is
to support your own family, not your wife’s family. Don’t be as stupid as
Emmanuel!”
“Me?”
Emmanuel pointed at himself in shock. Huh? Why did I get dragged into this
for no reason?
Sweeping a gaze over him, Mackenzie stepped into the residential area.
Ryder, who initially looked utterly depressed, felt as if he had been injected
with strength after listening to her words.
“Ms. Quillen is totally right! I’ll tell Abellyn that when I go home. What nerve!
Who exactly does she regard as her family? And who is more important to
her? Above all, who does she want to spend the rest of her life with?”
Hearing that, Emmanuel breathed a sigh of relief. He patted his cousin on the
shoulder in agreement.
Ryder climbed onto his electric bike. Before leaving, he said, “I forgot to thank
Ms. Quillen just now, Manny. Remember to thank her on my behalf when you
go back.”
“Got it, Ryder!”
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