Chapter 12 Liam also sat upright . " That Carter guy had a son and daughter before they got married . It's not that I care about what people say , but Rhea ? She has been a brilliant child since the day she was born . She's smart , capable , well- educated , and was raised like a true lady ! I just can't accept her becoming someone's stepmother ! " " You said it yourself . She's a stepmother . Without strong backing , she's bound to be pushed around . You're aware of how cutthroat the business world can be . People always side with the powerful . " Ruby clutched her chest , and her eyes welled with tears . " I just ... I just dreamed she was calling out for me . " Liam's eyes were filled with lingering pain , but he clenched his jaw and said firmly , "Well , she deserves it ! She made the choice herself !" The next morning , Rhea hadn't even gotten out of bed when she heard crying . She sat up fast . Arielle was no longer by her side , and Adrian was gone from the small bed outside . She jumped up and followed the noise . In the master bedroom , Lauren was in Carter's arms . Arielle was sitting on the floor , bawling , while Adrian hugged her tightly . A woman's nightgown was shredded on the floor . It was the one Lauren had borrowed from Rhea . Rhea rushed over . " Arielle ? " " Mom ! " Arielle ran into her arms like she was clinging to life . Carter looked furious . " Look at what she did . She cut up an adult's clothing ! What kind of behavior is this ? " Rhea lifted Arielle in her arms and asked in a low voice , " Did you do this ? " Arielle wasn't a tantrum - throwing child . If she was sitting on the floor crying , Rhea figured that something must have happened . Just now , in his rush to grab the scissors from Arielle's hand , Carter had indeed used a bit too much force . That caused her to lose her balance and fall to the floor . Carter said , " She doesn't even show respect to her own mother , and she was holding a pair of scissors . That's dangerous . Even if I really did push her , she was the one in the wrong to begin with . " Rhea stared at him and questioned , " What gives you the right to push her ? " Her tone at that moment sent an inexplicable chill through Carter . She didn't yell , but it was precisely that icy calmness that made him uneasy . She continued , " If you two want to show off your affection , please do it somewhere away from the kids . " Upon hearing her accusation , Carter felt a pang of guilt . He tried again . " Didn't you see her holding the scissors ? " " They're children's scissors ! " Rhea pointed at Lauren . " And was her nightgown cut ? It was clearly torn apart ! " Carter froze , frowning . Lauren looked helpless . " She wanted to cut it . I was afraid she might accidentally hurt herself or Adrian , so I tried Chapter 12 +25 BONUS to stop her . " When Carter entered earlier , he saw Lauren pulling Arielle and noticed Arielle clutching a pair of scissors , which panicked him . Just then , Adrian spoke up . " That's not true ! She's lying ! Arielle never even touched the nightgown ! It was ripped when this lady pulled it away . It's not Arielle's fault ! " That one detail completely changed the story . But Carter didn't believe Adrian . He simply scolded both kids , " Would your mom really accuse you falsely ? Besides , how can you be so selfish at such a young age ? Can't you even share a nightgown ? " Arielle shouted through her tears , " Adrian and I just didn't want her wearing Mom's clothes ! She said bad things about Mom , calling her an evil stepmother like those in fairy tales ! If she talks about Mom like that , why should she get to wear her clothes ? " Lauren's face went pale , and her heart skipped a beat .