Watching You Burn In Regret novel Chapter 184

Before she could say a word, Nadine stared at her in utter disbelief, then shot a look at Edwin standing by her side.

"Carla? What are you doing hanging around with someone from the Montgomery family?"

Everyone who mattered in Seaside City knew the few powerful families, and it was common knowledge that the Montgomery Group and the Rutledge Group were mortal enemies. Nadine was well-versed in their longstanding rivalry.

Over the years, the Montgomery Group had been circling the Rutledge Group like a shark, waiting for the perfect moment to swallow it whole and take over the city's business scene. The Rutledge Group's current struggle to reinvent itself was, in large part, thanks to the Montgomerys. Not only did the two families avoid each other in public, but even in private, their animosity was legendary.

Now, seeing Carla with a Montgomery, Nadine's shock was inevitable.

Anyone with a pair of eyes could tell Carla and Edwin were dating—their chemistry was obvious.

Carla, deciding there was no point in hiding, boldly took Edwin's hand.

"We care about each other, so we're together. Why should we be forced to inherit our parents' grudges?" she said, her voice strong. "That has nothing to do with us."

Nadine didn't say a word, but it was clear she didn't buy Carla's reasoning.

She couldn't decide whether Carla was simply naive or just plain foolish.

This feud wasn't just about the older generation. The Montgomerys had always been scheming, always up to something. And Edwin's mother—well, everyone knew she'd clawed her way to the top by breaking up the original Montgomery marriage. What kind of person was that? Like mother, like son. There was no reason to believe Edwin was any different.

Edwin stood silently beside Carla, mute as a stone. He nudged Carla with his elbow, clearly uneasy and not keen on having their relationship thrust into the spotlight.

Seren, ever observant, noticed Edwin's tiny gesture. That told her everything—Edwin didn't love Carla. Not really.

Edwin might have been the Montgomery family's second son, but his mother's cunning had pushed out the first wife. The eldest son, born of the first wife, was never as favored as Edwin. And with so many women around Edwin, why choose Carla? Seren didn't believe for a second there wasn't some ulterior motive.

"Accident or not, you bumped into someone. Say you're sorry."

Jasper quickly chimed in, just as indignant. "You run into your own sister and can't even say sorry? And you still have the nerve to call her your sister?"

Nadine, snapping out of her shock, scoffed. "Sister? Please. Seren has already cut ties with your family."

Even Michael, usually quiet and reserved, tossed in a chilly remark. "Trying to argue your way out after running someone over? If I had a sister like you, I'd want nothing to do with her. It's embarrassing."

Carla's usual act fell flat. One after another, Seren's friends mocked her, their voices sharp and unsparing.

Her face flushed, then paled, as she instinctively glanced at Edwin. She'd always been competitive, always wanted to win, especially with Seren. Now, more than ever, she wanted Edwin—her boyfriend—to step up and take her side, to defend her, and not let her lose face.