The Sleeper's Wrath and His Wife's Strike novel Chapter 148

Mrs. Wood had heard enough. Fury boiling over, she strode up and slapped Joseph—twice, hard—right across the face. She jabbed a finger at his nose, her voice rising in a tirade.

“You deserved every bit of the beating you got tonight! Honestly, you make me sick. Not an ounce of remorse, even now. I’m telling you, Joseph, one day you’ll regret all of this. One day you’ll see how good Wendy was to you, and you’ll finally see some people for what they really are.”

Joseph let out a cold laugh, anger flaring in his eyes. “Oh, so I’m your own flesh and blood, and yet you’d hit me over Wendy? Again?” His voice was sharp, wounded pride bleeding through. “Even if Naomi wasn’t in the picture, I still wouldn’t marry Wendy. She’s boring, lifeless—a complete stick in the mud. I’ve never liked her.”

“You should’ve been left for dead tonight. You and Naomi—birds of a feather. Wendy breaking up with you? That’s the smartest thing she’s ever done.”

Mrs. Wood hadn’t forgotten how Joseph used to talk about Wendy in the early days.

“Mom, I’ve met a girl I really like. She’s beautiful, so aloof—an ice queen. The way she keeps everyone at arm’s length drives me crazy.”

Typical. Men only cherish what they can’t have. Once something’s in their grasp, they lose all appreciation for it. The forbidden fruit always tastes sweeter.

“Joseph, don’t say I never warned you. If you keep hanging around Naomi, she’ll ruin you sooner or later.” Mrs. Wood gave a short, bitter laugh, as if she’d already made her peace. “What do I care? You’re not my only son. If I lose you, it’s just one less to worry about.”

No mother stops loving her child easily. For Mrs. Wood to say such things, Joseph must have truly broken her heart.

Yet she couldn’t have known her words tonight would turn out to be a grim prophecy.

She left without looking back.

Naomi stepped in front of Joseph, slipping back into her usual performance.

“Joseph, I’m so sorry. This is all my fault. We shouldn’t see each other anymore… Your mom really hates me.”

…

After Lindsay and Cheryl saw Wendy off at the airport, they each headed home.

Lindsay returned to Pine Residences. As she stepped out of the elevator, she was startled to find Yves waiting at her door, a gift box perched on his knee.

Clearly, he was here to make amends.

But Lindsay was still furious and in no mood to talk. She pretended not to see him, face ice-cold as she unlocked the door. She swung it open, ready to shut it behind her.

Yves' voice was casual, yet unmistakably pointed. “Aren’t you going to invite your husband in for a chat?”