Substitute Wife, Genius CEO novel Chapter 405

The Sterling Estate, living room.

Outside, the sky was pitch-black as heavy rain poured down. Inside, the room was brightly lit but suffocatingly silent. Nobody spoke a word, and the oppressive atmosphere made it almost impossible to breathe.

The maids kept their eyes downcast, standing rigidly to the side. They tried to turn themselves into invisible statues, not even daring to breathe too loudly.

Carlson Sterling sat at the center of the sofa, his face grim and stern, leaning heavily on his cane without a word.

Even the maid serving tea moved with extreme caution, terrified of making the slightest noise.

Zelda Sterling's heart churned with fury. Her bloodshot, swollen eyes burned with an intense, suffocating hatred.

Arthur Sterling took a deep breath. "Xavier, you need to divorce Lilith."

Lilith gripped Xavier's arm desperately, shaking her head as hot tears rolled down her cheeks. "I won't divorce him," she choked out. "I love Xavier, and we have two sons together. They're too young to grow up without a mother."

At this moment, Zelda had long lost her aristocratic grace. Her voice was hoarse and shrill, nearly piercing their eardrums.

"You dare use the children as an excuse! The boys don't need a vicious, venomous mother like you. They would be deeply ashamed to be associated with you!"

"I had been drinking, I was emotional, but I swear I didn't push Xander. I—I didn't, Xavier, you have to believe me."

Lilith sobbed uncontrollably, staring at Xavier with a pitiful, subservient expression, her eyes swimming in tears as she played the fragile victim.

She looked exactly like a delicate white rose in the rain, so weak that she seemed ready to lose her petals and wither away at any second.

On one side was his own brother, and on the other was his wife. Xavier felt incredibly torn, completely at a loss for what to do.

Making him give up either of them was impossible.

His brother had always been good to him. When they were kids, their father was busy with business, their mother was obsessed with beauty treatments, and their grandfather focused all his energy on molding Xander.

It was Xander who guided him through life and school. Xavier was practically raised by him.

His brother was gentle and patient, acting as father, mother, and sibling all rolled into one. Xander always told him to be himself and live life to the fullest on his own terms.

Because of that unwavering support, Xavier grew up reckless and free-spirited, doing whatever he pleased, knowing his brother had his back.

But Lilith had saved his life when they were young, giving him memories he would never forget. Now, she was his wife and the mother of his two sons.

They were both his closest family.

In that moment, he wished he had been the one hit by the car.

But the matter had to be resolved eventually. He was no longer that reckless teenager who always had someone to clean up his messes.

Xavier quickly made a decision. He took a deep breath. "Mom, Dad, Xander is the victim here. I will personally seek his forgiveness. Please, stay out of this."

"Even if your brother is the victim, that's a separate issue. Of course you have to beg for his forgiveness," Carlson finally spoke.

"But Lilith pushed your brother and caused him to be hit by a car. That is attempted murder!" His words dropped alongside the heavy thud of his cane slamming against the floor.

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