Trick Him Into Divorce, Then Flee With His Unknow Kid novel Chapter 430

Chapter 430: Chapter 430 Nothing Left to Lose

Derick watched Rose walk away.

His expression grew heavier by the second.

Soon, only Derick, Victoria, and Alicia remained in the room.

Alicia sat frozen, unable to process what had just happened.

This was supposed to be Rose’s worst day.

Her wedding had fallen apart. Her dress was useless. She had been humiliated in front of everyone.

Alicia had thought the attention would finally turn in her favor.

Instead, somehow, she had become the one standing on trial.

And the worst part was that none of Ryan’s accusations had been proven.

Not yet.

But somehow, once all the incidents were put side by side, they no longer sounded harmless.

Victoria was the first to speak.

“Derick, it’s all circumstantial. Ryan is angry because Alicia exposed what happened with Charlotte and ruined his engagement. You know Alicia. She wouldn’t deliberately hurt Rose.”

Her voice was calm.

She didn’t cry.

She didn’t demand that Derick defend her.

She simply walked over and stood beside him.

Alicia finally found her voice.

“Dad...”

Her eyes were red from crying.

“I know you’ve spent all these years waiting for Rose to come home. I understand that. I’ve always understood it.”

She wiped her cheeks.

“But Ryan is an outsider. He’s angry, and he’s making assumptions. You know me. Don’t you believe me?”

Derick’s expression didn’t change.

“I’ve been too busy with work to pay enough attention to the person you were becoming.”

Alicia’s heart sank.

He continued quietly.

“But there are some things the Taylor family should never have to explain.”

His eyes hardened.

“We didn’t raise you to go behind your brother-in-law’s back, twist what happened, and then expect him to clear your name.”

Alicia shook her head desperately.

“I was scared!”

Her voice cracked.

“There were so many people watching me. Once the rumors started, it didn’t matter whether they were true. Everyone was talking about me. I’m a woman, Dad. My reputation matters.”

“Enough.”

The word stopped her cold.

Derick stared at her, disappointment written plainly across his face.

“Even now, you still think this is about your reputation.”

He took a slow breath.

“Whether you did these things or not, you’ve put yourself in a position where this family can no longer ignore the damage being done around you.”

Alicia stared at him.

“Dad...”

“Rose is finally home.”

His voice softened for only a moment.

“And I won’t allow anyone around her who might have bad intentions toward her.”

Derick turned toward Victoria.

“It’s too late for explanations.”

Victoria’s expression tightened.

“If you’ve been telling me the truth all these years, then pray there’s never any evidence proving otherwise.”

His eyes were filled with pain.

“Because if there is, this won’t end with Alicia leaving the family home.”

Victoria’s face went pale.

Derick’s gaze lingered on her.

“You raised her.”

There was no anger in his voice anymore.

Somehow, that made the words worse.

Victoria had spent years being quiet.

She had never demanded much from him.

And Derick knew exactly why.

He still carried guilt over what had happened between them years ago—the pregnancy Victoria had lost, the complications that left her unable to have children again, and the life she had been forced to accept afterward.

He had spent years trying to make up for it.

But Rose was different.

Rose was his daughter.

His child with Sophia.

And whatever guilt he carried toward Victoria, it would never give Victoria or Alicia the right to hurt Rose.

Not again.

Victoria had never seen him look at her this way.

“Derick...”

“Move out today.”

He didn’t let her finish.

“My mother shouldn’t have to ask twice.”

He turned toward the door.

Then he stopped.

His eyes closed briefly.

“When you’re settled overseas, I’ll make sure you have money coming in regularly.”

Victoria looked at him in surprise.

Derick kept his back to them.

“I won’t let you go without the basics. But as far as everything else is concerned...”

He paused.

“Let’s consider the debt between us settled.”

He knew Grace would never approve of it.

He also knew she wouldn’t care what happened to Victoria and Alicia once they were out of the family.

But there were things Derick couldn’t simply erase from his conscience.

He would keep the payments private.

It was the last responsibility he was willing to take on.

Before Victoria could respond, he walked out.

The door closed behind him.

For several seconds, neither woman moved.

Then something inside Victoria snapped.

She turned and slapped Alicia across the face.

The sound echoed through the room.

Alicia fell hard against the floor.

Her cheek burned.

She slowly lifted a hand to it.

Victoria stood over her, trembling.

“What have you done?”

Her voice was no longer gentle.

“Who did you think you were?”

Alicia said nothing.

“You went after Ryan Knight?”

Victoria’s breathing grew ragged.

“Do you have any idea who you’re dealing with?”

She crouched slightly, her eyes blazing.

“What could you possibly offer a man like him?”

Alicia remained silent.

Victoria’s anger erupted.

“You crossed the one line you should never have crossed!”

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