From a Wrong Turn to Mr. Right novel Chapter 225

“Mom.”

Lavinia Bennett called out, her voice weak. She looked like someone who’d just found out their favorite football team lost the Super Bowl—pale and defeated.

Carmen Gates’ worry deepened. “What’s wrong, honey? You look terrible. Did you have a fight with Daniel?”

Lavinia shook her head.

“Then what happened?”

Carmen sat down beside her, feeling her forehead.

Normal temperature—just ghostly pale.

Physical check, fine. That meant something was off inside her head.

Carmen frowned, her concern growing. “Come on, Lavinia, what’s going on with you? You look like death warmed over and won’t say a word. Are you trying to give me a heart attack?”

Lavinia attempted a smile, but it was more like a grimace. “That woman isn’t Ethan Carter’s side chick.”

Carmen paused, trying to process. Then her eyes flew open. “She’s not his side chick?”

Lavinia nodded, struggling to get the words out. “She’s his daughter. Olivia.”

“Olivia?” It was like a lightbulb popped in Carmen’s brain. She blinked, refusing to believe it. “What Olivia?”

“His real daughter, Olivia.” Lavinia handed her the phone.

On the screen was The Carter Group’s official Instagram, sharing a post from Elaine Carter.

Carmen’s face turned a sickly white as she scrolled through the comments. With every swipe, her expression grew more rigid.

“It’s really Ms. Carter from The Carter Family?” she murmured in disbelief.

Lavinia’s gaze darkened, lips pressed tight in frustration. “I don’t get it either. Why would someone like Ms. Carter join showbiz? It’s not like The Carter Family is some shameful secret. Why go through all that trouble to change her name and hide her identity?”

She honestly couldn’t wrap her head around Elaine Carter’s choices.

“Your father has always said we need to soften Olivia Bennett up, get on The Carter Family’s good side. The Carter Group’s doing better these days, but it’s not enough. If we could get The Carters’ backing, the Bennetts would be at the top of the Cabinda social ladder in no time. It’s just a matter of when.”

Lavinia hesitated for a second, but the damage was done—no point crying over spilled milk.

She bit her lip, then shrugged, “Then we’ll just do it without The Carters. With Daniel, we’ll get there eventually. It’s only a matter of time. The Carters aren’t the be-all and end-all.”

She had total faith in Daniel Gill.

Carmen sighed. She didn’t want to admit it, but, “Daniel’s great, but he’s no Ethan Carter. Not just him, but the family behind him.”

Lavinia couldn’t argue with that.

“Your father sees The Carter Family as the golden ticket,” Carmen said miserably. “And not only have we missed the chance, we’ve practically slammed the door in their faces. When your father finds out, he’s going to hit the roof.”

Mason Bennett valued The Carter Group above all else.

And now, thanks to them, he was about to lose it.