Betrayed and Dumped She Rose Stronger Than Ever novel Chapter 497

Ben blinked up at her, his voice sweet as he called out, “Hi, ma’am.”

Rebecca’s lips curved in a cool smile. She had never liked Joan or her son, and she certainly wasn’t about to force herself to play nice. If she didn’t like someone, she saw no reason to fake it. Some things were just that simple.

Just as Rebecca was about to walk away, Joan nudged Ben right back in her path. “Ms. Harper, he greeted you. Shouldn’t you at least acknowledge him? Or he’ll think you’re the rude one.”

Joan shot Ben a look, and Ben chimed in, “Yeah, Ms. Roberts says kids who ignore people are bad kids. So that means you’re a bad lady.”

Rebecca arched a brow. “Oh, really?” She crouched down so she and Ben were eye to eye. “Let me tell you something hard about this world, kid. Sometimes it’s the so-called bad kids who get ahead. The good kids? They rarely get anywhere.”

Her voice was cool and steady. Ben’s face went pale, his bravado slipping away.

Joan’s expression twisted and she immediately pulled Ben behind her, her tone sharp. “Rebecca, what are you saying? You’re going to corrupt him with talk like that.”

Rebecca just shrugged. “I’m only being honest.”

Joan was fuming now. “You’re just jealous because I have a child and you don’t. You’re bitter that Mr. Duncan agreed to bring Ben into the family. You’re just spiteful, and I’m going to make sure Stephen learns what you’re really like.”

Rebecca let out a low laugh. “Ms. Knotts, you care about something, but it doesn’t mean I do too.”

Joan huffed, “Like you don’t. Stop lying to yourself. Wasn’t it the kid that made you and Stephen break up?”

Rebecca’s eyes narrowed just a bit. “How do you know that?”

Joan looked shifty,” You don’t even show up together, Of course you broke up.

Just then, out walked Stephen and Liam. They both stopped short. Joan clearly hadn’t expected Stephen to come down himself. Her eyes lit up, but almost instantly went glassy with tears, like she’d just been dealt some huge injustice. “Stephen!”

Rebecca glanced up, met Stephen’s eyes for the briefest moment, then looked away and walked faster. She passed him without another glance.

Joan’s smile grew. Looks like Marissa’s information was right. Those two really were over.

She took Ben’s hand and led him up to Stephen, her voice extra gentle. “Stephen, we didn’t mean to…”

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