I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 166

Chapter 166

Whispers rippled through the hall.

“Seriously?”

“I haven’t heard my wife mention that. She must be lying.”

Peter sneered. “Ms. Ravelle, why aren’t you saying anything? Don’t you even know your own family?

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A clear path opened through the crowd, as if everyone had instinctively made space. The hall fell silent.

Liam’s gaze was deep. Smiling, he asked, “What’s going on here?”

Noticing him speak, Sharon stepped forward with righteous authority.

“Mr. Ravelle, Ms. Ravelle, here, has been presenting herself in Colburn as a member of the Ravelle family to gain work opportunities and profits.”

Peter shot a disdainful glance at Rhea and added, “The Ravelle family carries significant prestige. Mr. Ravelle, if anyone with ill intentions tries to drag you into a scandal, it’s best to stop it in time.”

Everyone exchanged glances. Such a claim never arose without reason.

Was Rhea actually from the Ravelle family of Draventh?

Lauren, in a quiet corner, lowered her head. A small smile played on her lips. She hadn’t expected Sharon to raise this question here, but thought that it was for the best.

However, she subtly tugged Carter back a step and whispered, “Sharon’s too impulsive. Bringing this up in front of everyone will put you in a difficult spot.”

Carter knew it too.

Rhea most likely wasn’t a Ravelle of Draventh. Once this came out, the Ravelle family would take offense at Jamison Group because of her, which would hurt the company’s future.

Yet deep down, he couldn’t help feeling curious. Part of him even hoped that Rhea had no connection to the Ravelle family of Draventh.

But if she wasn’t connected, how had she met George? The two facts didn’t quite add up, leaving Carter momentarily unsure of how to respond.

The hall was quiet.

Liam leaned back in his chair. “If I remember correctly, Ms. Ravelle’s husband is a Jamison, right?”

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Chapter 166

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Hearing his name, Carter didn’t hesitate. He pushed Lauren’s arm aside and stepped in front of the crowd.

“Yes, Mr. Ravelle,” he said firmly.

Lauren stood awkwardly, trying to compose herself and not appear embarrassed in front of the

crowd.

Liam sized up Carter, his gaze cold and piercing, as if examining a criminal.

However, Carter met his gaze evenly.

After a moment, Liam smiled and said, “You’re married, and you don’t even know who your wife is? And you let an outsider publicly criticize her?”

The two questions left Carter speechless.

Liam’s words also made the space around Carter grow wider. Those nearby instinctively shifted aside, putting some distance between themselves and Carter.

Lauren couldn’t help but step forward and stand beside Carter. “Mr. Ravelle, integrity is everything. As a businessman, Carter is committed to fairness. He won’t show favoritism or tolerate injustice.”

Her words were strong and confident, leaving no room for argument.

Liam frowned. “And you are?”

Lauren’s fiery momentum faltered at his question. “I…”

Sharon quickly interjected, “Mr. Ravelle, Mr. Jamison and Ms. Ravelle were indeed married, but they aren’t anymore.”

“So?” Liam fixed his gaze on Lauren. “Who is she?”

He wondered if this woman was the one who had bullied Rhea. And here she stood, bold and unflinching, right next to Carter.

Rhea had become the center of gossip, and Carter didn’t even say a single word. Was this what a man was supposed to do?

A surge of disappointment and anger welled up inside Rhea. She had dreaded this moment more than anything. She didn’t want her trivial private matters dragged in front of her family.

First, her parents would worry. Second, they would become the subject of whispers and ridicule because of her.

A faint red gleam shimmered in her eyes as she stepped forward.

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Chapter 166

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All eyes turned toward her.

Her calm gaze locked onto Carter’s face.

At that moment, Carter clearly saw all her feelings for him drain from her eyes. His heart skipped a beat. The sudden ache in his heart caught him off guard.

Rhea said, “I didn’t expect my personal affairs to draw everyone’s attention. Since that’s the case, there’s no point in hiding it. Mr. Jamison and I filed for our divorce a few days ago. And this lady here

is the birth mother of my two stepchildren.”