The Prison-Made Queen novel Chapter 616

The woman’s eyes instantly reddened, and she gave Dustin a wounded look.

Leilani stood to the side, silently observing the confrontation between father and son.

Dustin finally seemed to notice Leilani's gaze and, feeling he'd lost face, tried to reclaim some semblance of authority. "And this is...?"

Ethan swiftly pulled Leilani behind him, shielding her from Dustin's appraising gaze. "Who she is has nothing to do with you," he said coldly.

Without sparing his father another glance, he murmured to Leilani, "Let's go."

Dustin trembled with rage behind them, shouting, "You ungrateful brat! Is this how you treat your own father? If I'd known, I should have..."

Ethan spun around, his eyes as fierce as a wolf's. "Should have what?"

After years as a detective, interrogating countless criminals, Ethan’s glare could be utterly terrifying. Dustin was so startled by his look that the words caught in his throat, his face turning an ugly shade.

Ignoring him, Ethan protectively guided Leilani away. Even after they were in the car, his knuckles were white as he gripped the steering wheel, his chest heaving. The anger clearly hadn't subsided.

If Romina hadn't insisted on dragging him here to visit his ex-wife, he wouldn't have come at all. And this was the thanks he got—the wonderful son she had raised, all grown up but still as stubborn and defiant as ever, doing nothing but provoking him.

The argument had ruined Dustin’s mood completely, casting a heavy, oppressive atmosphere over the car ride back. He leaned against the seat, his face grim, fingers drumming impatiently on his knee. For some reason, coming to the cemetery always put him in a foul temper. Ethan's cold, mocking eyes began to merge with the memory of his late wife’s, stirring a disquieting mix of guilt and anger that made his blood boil.

"Dustin..." Romina, beside him, gently took his hand, her thumb stroking the back of it soothingly. "Don't be angry. It's not worth ruining your health over. You know what Ethan is like. After all these years, aren't you used to it?"

Dustin snorted, gripping her hand tightly. "How could I ever get used to it? Did you see his attitude? He dared to talk back to me like that in front of a stranger! The only reason I didn't take my belt to him right then and there was out of respect for his mother's memory."