I Walked Away And He Lost His Mind (Zephyra and Steven) novel Chapter 375

My father was waiting for me at home. Hearing the noise, he, Janice, and Antonia Lopez all came running out.

Ryan and I stepped out of the helicopter and walked side by side, moving from the shade of the trees into the sunlight. Our faces, dappled by the light, gradually came into clear view.

Ryan was wearing a black hoodie with a lollipop stick dangling from his mouth. I was in a red dress, carrying a fluffy white purse, my eyes icy and my presence commanding.

My father—Martin Jones—narrowed his eyes and took a long drag from his cigarette.

Antonia stared at me in disbelief. "Zephyra? H-how can it be Zephyra?! Did she get plastic surgery? Why does she look even prettier than before?!"

"Holy crap, she came back in a helicopter! When did she get so rich?! Did she get a huge settlement from the divorce? And who's that guy with her? He's so young and cute."

Janice shot her a cold glance. "Shut up. You ask too many questions."

Antonia pouted. Martin let out a cold laugh, his eyes glaring at me as if he wanted to kill me.

"So you finally decided to show up. I called you countless times. Why didn't you answer?!"

My gaze fell on Janice. Her face was grim, no longer putting on the fake, cheerful act of a loving stepmother.

At my father's last birthday party, she had set me up with Zachary, hoping to blackmail me. I turned the tables on her and got her arrested for prostitution. I didn't expect her to get out so quickly and be back by my father's side. It seemed they had reconciled.

I walked up to Martin, sneering inwardly, and instead of answering, I asked, "Did you touch my mother's things?"

Martin took a drag from his cigarette, his brow furrowing. "Is that any way to talk to me? You think you're still Mrs. Lancaster? I put up with your nonsense before because Mr. Lancaster was looking out for you, and you had the power to decide on investments for the Jones family. I had to be nice to you. But you never came through with the investment. Ungrateful brat!"

Instantly, five or six security guards rushed over, ready to take Ryan down.

Ryan, young and hot-headed, raised his fists, but I held him back, shielding him behind me as I waited.

Janice, in her dress, sneered.

"Zephyra, I've had enough of you. Are you done with your tantrum?! The Jones family is going bankrupt! Your father can't even make payroll. Before the news of your divorce broke, at least the debt collectors stayed away. Now that they know the Jones family is no longer connected to the Lancasters, the phones are ringing off the hook!"

"They're demanding your father pay up within three days, or they'll sue! The house, the cars, everything the Jones family owns will be seized, and your father might even go to jail! If the Jones family can't be saved, how can we save your mother's things?"

"The first thing you should be doing right now isn't fighting with your father. It's figuring out how to remarry Mr. Lancaster and get him to help the Jones family through this crisis. Your father raised you. Even if he gets no credit, he put in the effort. Don't you owe him some filial piety? Besides, what right does an ordinary woman like you have to divorce Mr. Lancaster? Without him to back you up, do you really think you can have a good life—"