Betrayed and Dumped She Rose Stronger Than Ever novel Chapter 495

Cindy stared at him, her eyes wide with disbelief. “Are you even listening to yourself right now?” For a split second, she wondered if the man in front of her was even her brother at all. Was this some kind of spell? Or had someone swapped his face? She stepped closer, her hands reaching up like she could rip off an invisible mask. She shook his arm, her voice rising. “Tell me the truth. Who are you? You’re not my brother. Who made this mask? Say something. Just say anything!”

Stephen’s eyes flashed with something like hurt, but it was gone as quickly as it came. He gently took her hand. “Cindy, just calm down.”

“Calm down? Seriously? How am I supposed to calm down when Joan is obviously using the kid to trap you? Don’t pretend you can’t see it. And you know what it means. If you acknowledge that child, you and… there’s no chance left for the two of you!”

“I know what I’m doing. But this is my responsibility.”

She yanked her hand away, shooting him a cold glare. “Fine. Go take care of your precious responsibility.”

Before anyone else could react, Cindy had already stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

Chelsey watched her son for a long moment, her face unreadable. She looked just as lost as her daughter, but there was a steadiness in her voice that Cindy lacked. “Stephen, if this is really your decision, I’ll respect it. But let me be clear. That child will never be allowed into my home. And I don’t want to see you at the villa too.”

George was left stunned by her words. Was she really cutting ties with her own son?

“Chelsey,” the old man said quietly, his tone a warning. “Don’t say things you’ll regret.”

Chelsey just laughed, bitter and sharp. “I mean it. And I won’t be here anymore, too. I don’t want to run into people I have no desire to see.”

George’s face turned red with anger. “You…”

Brett stiffened, his gaze sliding away. “I mean, I was surprised… but not really. Grandfather’s been desperate for a great-grandchild for ages. Now that there’s one right in front of him, of course he’s happy. You know how it is. He probably met the kid and now he can’t wait to bring him into the family.”

Stephen raised an eyebrow. “So you’re saying Grandfather already met Ben? How would you know that?”

“I…” Brett faltered, his eyes darting. “I just guessed. Why else would Grandfather agree so fast? He must have met the kid, found him agreeable, then made up his mind.”

Stephen smiled, slow and unreadable, and clapped Brett on the shoulder. “You’re a sharp one. I never thought of it that way. Thanks for clearing things up for me.”

Brett felt a chill run down his spine. He couldn’t tell what Stephen was thinking, but he knew one thing for sure. When a smart man suddenly claims he’s been dumb all along, you’d better watch out. He’s either being really modest… or he’s setting a trap.