"Cedric, please don't do this to me. Tristan would be heartbroken if he knew." Vivienne desperately clutched Cedric's trousers.But using Tristan as her shield only darkened Cedric's expression further. "When you used Tristan without caring about his life or death, did you ever think he'd be heartbroken too? You're not worthy of being a mother at all!"Two officers approached and lifted her from the ground, one on each side.Vivienne struggled, unable to maintain composure. "I'm not worthy?! But why did I do this?! Cedric, it's you! You're the one who forced me!"For the past five years, he had tormented her with indifference every day, yet she hadn't minded, hoping he would accept her again someday. But as soon as Sophie reappeared, he wasn't even willing to torment her anymore.How could she let herself lose what she had fought so hard to regain?Cedric frowned and glanced at the police officer beside him. "Take her away."When the police were about to escort her out, Evander
"Cedric, please, I'm begging you. For Tristan's sake, don't let them take me away. He's just woken up and needs care." Vivienne clung to Cedric's arm as if it were her last lifeline.However, the coldness on Cedric's face did not waver. "It's because of your care that Tristan is lying here."Seeing his resolute attitude, Vivienne panicked. Almost instinctively, she reached out to pull Tristan closer to her.Tristan winced in pain, his lips tightening, but he didn't pull away. He waited until the pain subsided before turning his head to look at Sophie. "Ms. Luxford."His weak voice surprised Sophie. "Are you calling me?""Yes." Tristan nodded, and his chapped and bleeding lips parted again. "Can you help me up?"Upon hearing such a request, Sophie instinctively looked toward Cedric. He didn't object, so she took a few steps forward and gently helped Tristan up from the bed.Normally, if an adult had been lying in bed for more than half a month and then woke up, it would take a da
Sophie believed that if she felt this way, Cedric must feel it even more.Silently, Sophie left the ward, dodging the relentless barrage of camera flashes from the journalists. At a signal, all Paramount journalists packed up and departed, having completed their assigned tasks.After the ward door closed behind her, Cedric looked at the still-kneeling Vivienne and Tristan, his expression tightening. After a moment, he addressed the tearful Vivienne, "I will hold a press conference to announce our engagement's termination and the custody issue regarding Tristan. Not calling the police today is the largest concession I can make."Cedric knew he had made a significant mistake five years ago amid his internal conflict. This time, he couldn't afford to repeat it. Especially with Tristan's case, he was more convinced than ever that allowing Vivienne to remain by Tristan's side would only lead to ruin."Cedric, I was wrong. Please, I promise it won't happen again," Vivienne pleaded, fear
The next morning, the public was abuzz with the news. The tide had completely turned in Sophie's favor, and it could aptly be described as a case of justice finally being served."Are you just going to let her off like that? People like Vivienne should be thrown in prison, sentenced to at least a decade, and forced to eat prison food."Despite the truth being revealed, Jeanna was still furious. Vivienne's actions—mistreating her child and deliberately framing Sophie—were deplorable. If Sophie had been less resilient, she might have crumbled under the half-month of slander and vitriol. Now, just exposing Vivienne's deeds seemed too lenient.Sophie smiled faintly and reconnected her computer's internet cable. "She will be punished.""What punishment? If Vivienne isn’t imprisoned, I bet she’ll continue her mischief.""Jean, there must be a reason for Ms. Luxford’s decision. Stop complaining. Let’s go to the design department. I have something to attend to there." Linda quickly dragge
The press conference commenced with a standard introduction, yet the journalists' patience swiftly waned.Before Evander could finish, a journalist rose, eager to delve into the heart of the matter. "Mr. Carlson, are you holding this press conference to defend your fiancée?"Cedric’s steadfast loyalty to his fiancée, despite swirling scandals involving the recent Valerie incident, led everyone to anticipate his support for Vivienne and Tristan."Mr. Carlson, your ex-wife has been grievously wronged. How do you respond?"The room crackled with anticipation—a clear showdown between Cedric's past and present loves. All awaited his thoughts eagerly.As the room erupted with more questions and flashing cameras, Evander tried to regain control. However, Cedric’s commanding voice suddenly dominated the room."I have annulled my engagement with Vivienne."The room buzzed with energy as journalists scrambled to grasp the implications—Cedric was announcing the termination of his engagemen
Cedric had just wrapped up the shortest press conference in history, yet its impact rippled far and wide. Within an hour, the story had gone viral.-As Sophie watched the news unfold on her screen, her face betrayed a mix of emotions, stirred by Cedric's reference to her as "Mrs. Carlson.""That jerk," Jeanna exclaimed. "He announced his engagement to Vivienne himself, and now he's retracting it like it's nothing. Calling you the only Mrs. Carlson. What's his game, eating his own words?""Jean, calm down," Linda intervened soothingly."How can I stay calm? You know how Cedric treated Sophie back then. His actions nearly cost Sophie and Cherry their lives!""But, remember, Cedric dove into the water to search for Sophie. He ended up unconscious and was rescued by the team," Linda interjected, pausing as Sophie looked at her in surprise.Sophie was visibly shaken. "He did what?""Yes, Ms. Luxford. He dove in right after you fell but couldn't find you. They pulled him out, uncons
"Hello, Mommy. Why aren't you home yet?"Upon hearing Cherry's sweet voice, Sophie's eyes welled with tears as she tightened her grip on the phone. "Cherry, Mommy has to work late tonight. Be a good girl, have your dinner, and go to bed by nine, okay?""Working late? Okay, then. Come home soon, Mommy. Love you.""Yeah, Mommy loves you too." Sophie forced a smile, ended the call, and stood, her thoughts heavy'Cedric, do you know how hard it is to hate someone? Why can’t you just let me hate you!'-Driving aimlessly, Sophie found herself at the Crimson Bar.Upon seeing her, the valet stuttered, "M-Ms. Lux—"He corrected himself in light of recent events, saying, "Mrs. Carlson?""Is Sean here?" she asked.The valet cautiously assessed her demeanor, which didn't appear confrontational, and nodded. "Our boss is here."Sophie handed him the keys and walked inside.In the room, Sean was bantering with a bartender but froze at the sight of Sophie. His face tensed as he contemplat
"There's something else you should know," Sean remarked casually, but his words struck Sophie like a series of bombs detonating in her already turbulent heart."Actually, Cedric’s past escapades were all a facade, designed to irritate and provoke you, the proud peacock. An arrogant man still resorting to childish tactics."As for Vivienne, their relationship had ended long before he agreed to marry you. Tristan was the only unplanned part."Sometimes, men couldn't foresee everything. Tristan's unexpected arrival led the normally calm and decisive Cedric to make a wrong decision, resulting in all the subsequent chaos."Now, I've told you everything. Just don't let Cedric know it came from me," Sean added with a nonchalant shrug, his words sending ripples through Sophie's mind, further complicating her thoughts."I need a drink.""Coming right up. I'll have the bartender whip up our Crimson Bar's signature drink," Sean said. He signaled the bartender to prepare their signature cock