Chapter 23 I Divorced Him 1/7 These past few days , Alistair's phone had been flooded with calls from unfamiliar numbers . He didn't answer a single one . Only after changing to a new number did he finally regain peace . Growing increasingly suspicious , Cordelia reluctantly decided to call Alistair herself - only to find the number disconnected . Refusing to let it go , she pressed Rebecca for answers . Rebecca simply confessed , " I divorced him . " " What ? " Cordelia was thunderstruck . " Why ? " Why else ? Of course , it's because my first love came back . Alistair , now superfluous , had to step aside to make room for him . Rebecca didn't explain . Instead , she clutched a pillow over her head and cried out in distress , " Mom , can you just stop asking ? Since you never liked him , isn't this divorce exactly what you and Dad wanted ? I can find a better husband - isn't that enough ? " Seeing Rebecca's emotional state , Cordelia assumed she was traumatized by the divorce and didn't dare push further . She immediately concluded it was all Alistair's fault . Chapter 23 I Divorced Him 2/7 " Didn't I warn you ? A freeloader like Alistair is worthless . Fine , it's too late now . Since he betrayed you , your father and I won't let him get away with it . " Rebecca panicked , afraid her doting parents would go after Alistair - because that would expose Richard's involvement . The excitement she'd felt when Richard returned was now eclipsed by regret . Hesitantly , Rebecca said , " Mom , don't go after him . We parted on amicable terms . " " You poor , deluded girl . You're still defending him ? How do I make you see the truth ? " Furious , Cordelia scolded , " I give you 500 thousand dollars in allowance every month , and you spend every last cent without fail . Did you waste it all on him ? " Rebecca couldn't answer - because all that money had gone to Richard . " Every time he came over , he only ever wore those two outfits , always acting meek and obedient . I actually thought he was decent . Well , that little bastard fooled both me and your father- how impressive . This isn't over . " " Mom ! " ' So this is why you kept making excuses to keep him from 3/7 visiting us . He was probably using your money to chase other women . We're not letting you handle this anymore - your father and I are stepping in . " Out of options , Rebecca turned to Anne for advice . Her goal was simple - no matter what it took , make Alistair admit he was the one at fault for the failed marriage . Before reaching out to Anne , she had even contacted Alistair's father . But he stammered and told her Alistair had cut ties with him . It suddenly dawned on Rebecca that , right after the divorce , Alistair had somehow vanished into thin air . Seeing him again . now seemed impossible . Anne said , " What's the big deal ? Just tell your parents you're dating Richard . He's so outstanding - they'll adore him . Oh , Rebecca , by the way , last night I met this insanely hot guy - his build , his aura - just wow . " Rebecca ignored the latter part and sighed , " Anne , it's not that simple . My parents wouldn't approve of Richard . " " How is that possible ? Compared to Alistair , Richard is like a cloud in the sky ! If they don't even like Richard , then what kind of man could possibly meet their standards ? " Rebecca fell silent - because Richard was illegitimate , the son of a mistress . Rumors said Richard's mother had driven his father's legal wife 4/7 to suicide before finally marrying into the family . It had been a major scandal back then , but Richard's father had suppressed it . Younger generations didn't know , but the older crowd remembered it clearly . The Morgan family's rise had depended on the first wife's influence . The moment her family lost power , Richard's father allowed the homewrecker to force her way in - even driving the first wife to her death . His heartless , backstabbing behavior horrified many , earning widespread disdain . Several elite families deliberately distanced themselves from the Morgans- the Whitfields among them . Rebecca had been charmed by Richard's refined , scholarly demeanor and fell head over heels . But after merely mentioning his name a few times , her parents immediately warned her to stay away . She ignored them and secretly dated Richard anyway . At a party , after one too many drinks , Richard helped her to a hotel room . Rebecca steered the conversation back to Alistair . " What ? Alistair has a wife - and a daughter as old as Danny ? " Anne perked up . " Rebecca , Vivienne seemed pretty into him , didn't she ? How could he … Is his wife fat , old , and ugly ? Maybe he knew Vivienne wouldn't take him seriously , so he used his Chapter 23 I Divorced Him 5/7 looks to latch onto some rich woman and became her daughter's stepdad ? Damn , he's got skills . " Rebecca's mind flashed to those cool , detached yet resolute eyes . Their owner was neither old nor ugly - on the contrary , she was stunning . So stunning that even Rebecca , who prided herself on her beauty , felt inferior . " That woman … " Rebecca admitted reluctantly , " She's not ugly . She's young . " " Then she must be an actress Alistair hired . He's doing this to mess with you . If you take it seriously , you're falling right into his trap . " Rebecca's eyes lit up slightly . Is that it ? It must be . Otherwise , how else would Dad just " happen " to see him dining with her ? He knew Dad would tell me . He looks like an honest man , but he's actually so cunning . But … is that really it ? Alistair's eyes surfaced in her mind again . There was an emotion in them she had always overlooked- disgust . Chapter 23 I Divorced Him It felt like invisible hands were tightening around her throat . Suddenly , she could barely breathe . " Rebecca , come to my office . " The abrupt call carried Nathaniel's unusually stern voice . It seems Mom ignored my plea . Dad already knows my marriage fell apart . 6/7 In the spacious , sunlit office , Nathaniel paced with his hands . behind his back , brows furrowed . He stopped abruptly , sharp eyes locking onto the composed young man sitting nearby . " Alistair , do you dare take responsibility for what you said today ? " Alistair smiled calmly , " If you don't believe me , what's the point of swearing ? Once your daughter arrives , the truth will come out . " Nathaniel's temple throbbed . This world has gone mad !