Your Uncle’s My Husband Now Back Off, Ex! novel Chapter 57

**Through Unseen Doors We Step Into Untold Worlds Beyond**
by Sage Hunter Lane

“Vicious?” Nyla let out a derisive laugh, her voice laced with incredulity. “Is it not vicious when your daughter orchestrated a scheme with her colleague to ruin my appearance, nearly destroying my face? Or when she had someone kneel before me, filmed the entire humiliation, and then posted it online to provoke a wave of cyberbullying against me?

“And let’s not forget the kidnapping—do you really expect me to believe that isn’t vicious? It almost cost me my life!”

Jade opened her mouth to respond, but Nyla’s piercing glare froze her words in their tracks. In that moment, she was rendered speechless, the weight of Nyla’s fury overshadowing her thoughts.

Clement, sensing the tension in the room, interjected with a cold, measured tone. “Nyla, your father is not in good health. If he learns about your kidnapping, it will only add to his worries.”

Nyla shot him a look sharp enough to cut glass, her fingers curling tightly beneath the covers. She was ready to unleash a retort when, without warning, the door swung open, revealing Damon with an air of authority.

“Mr. Pollard, your audacity is commendable, even if it involves threatening others.”

Clement’s demeanor shifted instantly; he stiffened at the sight of Damon’s icy stare, a flicker of unease crossing his face. “Mr. Sumner, to what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?”

As the manager of a subsidiary under Prospectus Technology, Clement had encountered Damon on a few occasions, always feeling the weight of the man’s presence.

Damon’s eyes narrowed, a flash of irritation evident. “Do I need to inform you of my whereabouts?”

The tension in the air thickened, prompting Clement to quickly lower his gaze, his voice trembling. “N-No need…”

Once he confirmed that Nyla was unharmed, Damon redirected his focus to Clement, his tone sharp. “Mr. Pollard, are you aware that Nyla is part of the Sumners?”

Clement felt a chill creep down his spine as he broke out in a cold sweat under Damon’s penetrating gaze. “Mr. Sumner… I…”

He clenched his jaw, summoning the remnants of his composure as he turned to Nyla. “Nyla… No, Ms. Jayston… I sincerely apologize for my previous comments. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me. Regarding Lucia, she did err, and we will accept whatever judgment the court finds fitting. We won’t contest it.”

Clement, recognizing that he had been effectively dismissed, quickly ushered Jade out of the room, leaving Nyla and Damon in a bubble of solitude.

Once they were alone, Nyla looked up at Damon, her expression softening. “Uncle Damon… thank you for your help today. I truly appreciate it.”

Damon’s brow furrowed slightly, and he adopted a more serious tone. “You used to refer to me as ‘Mr. Sumner.’ What prompted this sudden shift to ‘Uncle Damon’? Am I really that old?”

Nyla lowered her gaze, a playful smile gracing her lips. “You mentioned earlier that I am part of the Sumners. Besides, you are my uncle, regardless of age.”

“Just call me Mr. Sumner from now on,” he insisted, a hint of authority creeping into his voice.

Nyla pressed her lips together, contemplating his words. “In a professional setting, I’m an employee, so it’s only fitting to address you as Mr. Sumner. However, in private, considering our relationship, it feels more appropriate to call you uncle.”

Damon’s expression darkened slightly as he sensed her deliberate attempt to maintain a distance. The unspoken tension hung between them, and he felt a flicker of frustration at her unwillingness to bridge the gap.