I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 545

What should have been a pleasant dinner turned tense after Cynthia's words.

Bryan sat there, completely expressionless.

George looked at Cynthia. "I don't feel caught in the middle. I'll just listen to whoever is right. You can't assume that being an elder gives you more power. You made her uncomfortable first. You're still well and alive, yet you refused to attend our engagement party. You never considered her feelings, so why should she consider yours?"

He stood up from the table. "Mom, being older doesn't give you the right to act recklessly, nor the authority to bully my future wife. Since you don't want peace in this family, I won't be coming back."

"Dad, Grandpa, come to my place when you have time," George added.

Bryan waved, silently telling him to go. Steven also gave George a slight nod.

Once George left, Cynthia forced a bitter smile. Tears silently slipped down her cheeks. "I really am an outsider here."

Steven instructed the maid to help Bryan get some rest.

Once again, the couple faced off on this issue.

Steven's voice sharpened as he said, "So you've decided that you don't want this family to be happy, is that it?"

Cynthia abruptly looked up. "Don't you dare say that to me! You all sided with an outsider! I never agreed to their relationship at first. Shouldn't Rhea have come to talk to me and explain the misunderstanding? Instead, her selfish actions get the full support of all three of you! Where does that leave me?"

Steven felt that she had completely changed.

"George is right. Why should Rhea have to please you? Have you ever given her anything? Raised her? Helped her in any way? Nothing. She doesn't have any obligation to our family!"

"But she's with George…" Cynthia protested.

…

Meanwhile, Kate didn't visit the Ravelle residence personally. She knew she would likely be unwelcome and might be turned away.

Instead, she arranged to meet Angie. Their last encounter had been awkward, but Angie agreed to meet this time.

Once seated, Kate smiled. "Angie, why are you looking at me like that?"

Angie hesitated, then finally asked bluntly, "Kate, did you really betray Rhea back then?"

She still couldn't believe that someone so gentle, intelligent, and beautiful as Kate would hurt the selfish, spoiled Rhea.