Substitute Wife, Genius CEO novel Chapter 374

Summer had reached her breaking point. "Xavier, from where I'm standing, the only person mocking and alienating him is you!"

Mindful of the setting, Summer forced herself not to cause a scene, but her chest heaved with fury. The corners of her eyes were red, shimmering with unshed tears.

At home, Summer never treated Leo like a disabled person.

She was terrified that treating him like fragile glass would only damage his psyche, making him feel like an anomaly and drowning him in psychological baggage.

She had him do chores. He washed his own clothes, took care of the kitten, cleaned the litter box, watered the plants, and picked vegetables for dinner.

She wanted to prove to him that losing the use of his legs didn't render him a useless cripple.

He wasn't a burden. He was perfectly capable of taking care of himself.

But Xavier—his own biological father—opened his mouth only to remind Leo that he was fundamentally broken and different from normal children.

That he was a cripple who required special pity.

Thank God Leo wasn't standing here. If he had heard those words, it would have shattered him.

It was the equivalent of pouring battery acid onto an open wound.

And the person pouring it was his own flesh and blood!

How could Summer not be consumed by rage? She didn't expect Xavier to care about Leo, but the absolute least he could do was not actively traumatize the boy.

Silas handed Summer a tissue before turning a glacial stare onto Xavier. "Mr. Sterling. As a father, you have the right to withhold your love, but you do not have the right to inflict pain."

"You severely underestimate Leo. His legs might be injured, but his mind is brilliant. There is so much he can do! There are plenty of men in this world who can run and jump, yet they'll never amount to a fraction of what he is."

Summer wiped her eyes, her gaze turning frosty. "Forget it. There's no point talking to someone like him. Let's go."

Summer turned on her heel. She refused to breathe the same air as that scum and his mistress for another second. The mere thought of them made her nauseous.

As Summer headed to the restroom to touch up her makeup, Tiffany Miller scurried after her.

"Summer."

Summer was already in a foul mood, and her aura turned absolutely frigid. "You have the wrong person."

"Summer," Tiffany choked out, her voice thick with tears. Her eyes were red as she stepped forward and grabbed Summer's arm. "Summer, I'm so sorry. I know I messed up. Please, just forgive me. Please don't shut me out. You're the only family I have left."

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