Chapter 28 55 % 0 X Suzy's POV " Mom , you can't do this to us ! " Karla said , her voice rising in frustration . " You gave birth to us , so you don't just get to walk away . There's no such thing as quitting halfway . Or else , you shouldn't have had us in the first place . " Her words hit me like a slap in the face . I stared at her , stunned . But before I could respond , Andrew quickly stepped in , pulling her behind him and trying to calm me down . " Mom , you know how impulsive Karla is . Please don't take it out on her , " he said , his voice softening , almost pleading . " Dad already scolded us . He said we shouldn't take your kindness for granted anymore , and that we need to help with the housework from now on . " I raised an eyebrow at him . ' Help with the housework ? That was rich , considering how little they had ever appreciated my efforts . ' " Don't worry , " Andrew continued , his words sounding rehearsed . " As long as you come back with us , we'll treat you well and won't make you feel like a maid again . " I can hear it now . They didn't want love or my presence for the sake of family . They just wanted me back to keep working for them . They didn't even care about me - just someone to pick up the slack . I let out a quiet laugh , bitterness settling in . I took a step back , my resolve firming . " Don't waste your breath . I won't be coming back . You should go back . " Andrew's face hardened , and the frustration was clear in his voice when he snapped , " Why don't you want to come back ? Is it really because of that Bernard Cartier ? " Then , he mocked me , " Mom , when did you become so materialistic ? You abandoned us , so that you can run away with another man ? " I could feel my blood boiling as his words sank in , and before I could stop myself , Bernard was stepping forward . With a swift motion , Bernard slapped Andrew hard across the face . Andrew recoiled , shocked and angry , but Bernard didn't back down . His voice was low and dangerous as he glared at my son . " You , Maxwell kids , truly lack manners . How could you speak to your Mom like that ? Your father was unfaithful , and your mother wisely chose to walk away before things worsened . Why is she being blamed now ? " Bernard stepped in , giving Andrew a hard look . " One more word of disrespect , and I'll make sure Maxwell Group is gone for good . " Andrew's face flushed , his jaw clenched . Chanter 27 D X He clearly understood Bernard wasn't making idle threats . He stood there for a moment , seething , before throwing one last glare at me . " Mom , you'd better not regret this . " With that , Andrew stormed off , dragging Karla behind him . I watched them leave , and before I knew it , my eyes started to sting with tears . These were the children I nearly died giving birth to and worked my whole life to raise . And yet , they couldn't even show me the bare minimum of respect . What a joke . Bernard must have seen the frustration and devastation in my eyes , because he moved closer and gently placed his hand on my shoulder as he draped a cloak around me . His voice was soft , almost like a whisper of reassurance as he reassured me , " It's okay if it was in vain . From now on , I'll stay with you and make sure you live a happy life . " I looked up at him , the sincerity in his eyes making my chest tighten . My nose tingled , and I couldn't hold it in anymore . I leaned into his shoulder , finally letting the tears fall . Bernard gently patted my back , whispering comforting words as I cried . For the first time in so long , it felt like someone truly cared . Neither of us noticed at the time that someone had already taken a picture of this special moment . After we got back to the hotel and I freshened up , Bernard was planning to take me out for dinner . But just as we were about to leave , his assistant rushed over , looking flustered . " Sir , there's a rumor online about you , " the man said , breathless . Bernard's assistant handed over a tablet , showing a trending post . My heart sank as I saw a photo of Bernard and me embracing outside the hotel , clearly from earlier that day . The caption read : [ Shocking News ! Franco Maxwell's wife , of Maxwell Group , is caught cheating with Bernard Cartier of Cartier Group . The two are spotted honeymooning in Havendale! ] Bernard's face immediately turned red with fury . " Find out who did this . I'll make them pay for it ! " I didn't have to look twice to know who was behind this . Karla was an expert in the news industry , and her writing style felt very familiar . I could almost hear her voice behind those words . I couldn't help but suspect she was the one Chapter 28 213 92.2 % 23:29 Mon , Aug 11 55 % I didn't have to look twice to know who was behind this . Karla was an expert in the news industry , and her writing style felt very familiar . I could almost hear her voice behind those words . I couldn't help but suspect she was the one who orchestrated this whole thing . But I kept it to myself and quietly waited for the investigation results .