As Avery didn't manage to meet Nina and had no clue about the latter's condition, she began to worry.
Unfortunately, there was little she could do about Isabella. The latter's grudge against her was extremely deep and would cause a big scene whenever her temper flared. However, at the end of the day, Avery's hands were tied on the account that Isabella was still Nina's mother.
Suddenly, Cecelia sprang to mind.
If she were to visit Nina, Avery figured that Isabella wouldn't chase the former away regardless of how unreasonable she was.
With that, Avery gave Cecelia a call and tactfully explained that Nina was gravely sick.
Due to the bad blood between her and Nina's mother, she hoped that Cecelia would be able to visit Nina on her behalf.
Nevertheless, Avery hid the truth about Nina from Cecelia, as kidnap and abuse was a traumatizing experience for a girl.
In response, Cecelia swiftly agreed and promised to visit Nina right after work. She also asked for Nina's address to be sent to her phone.
By the time Avery got home, she was both physically and mentally drained.
After changing into her sandals, she went to take a shower. No sooner had the hot water droplets splashed her neck than she felt a stinging pain where the residual scratch marks were. Instead of treating the wound, she endured the pain as the hot water continued to run over it. After all, it was nothing compared to what Nina had suffered.
Avery's eyes closed in silence thereafter...
Dylan. He's the one responsible for all this!
Avery had no idea what drove Dylan's obsession with her. Not only did he almost do her in, but he also harmed her best friend. His actions were so unforgivable that killing him alone wasn't enough to quell her hatred.
Meanwhile, a storm was brewing at the Moore residence.
Cayden had just arrived with the two children when he was greeted by the sight of Jeffrey waiting in his seat. The latter was holding a walking stick and had a grim look on his face.
As for his mother, Allie, her outfit and makeup were just as exquisite as they always were. On her wrist was a new pair of crystal bracelets, and she was constantly flaunting it at Lily.
Consequently, the sullen-looking Lily was further filled with jealousy and indignance.
Even Kendrick's lackadaisical attitude was nowhere in sight. Instead, he too was seated on the couch with a serious expression on his face.
Upon Cayden's arrival, Kendrick gave his brother a knowing look as if to say. There's trouble, Cayden. Grandpa has learned about the post titled The Rich's Scandal and is going to put you in your place!
Ignoring the look on his brother's face, Cayden patted the children on their heads.
At his cue, the two adorable children ran up to Jeffrey with one on each side. Faced with their attempts to pacify him, Jeffrey could feel most of his anger melting away. In fact, he had almost forgotten about the scandal involving his grandson until Lily let out a snort.
With a sarcastic tone, she remarked, “Have you finally decided to come home? News of you beating Dylan up over Avery has spread like wildfire. Now that the Moore family is disgraced, isn't it time for you to intervene, Dad?”
Upset by the comments, Allie retorted with a frown, “Lily, how can you believe those unfounded rumors on the internet? Do you know how exceptional my son is? Everyone can clearly see how much he has done for the family. Therefore, there's no way he would recklessly involve himself with a woman. Instead, it's that shameless Avery who keeps clinging onto Cayden.”
Lily sneered, “Allie, your son is now embroiled in a huge scandal. And yet, instead of reflecting upon your mistakes for not teaching him well, you continue to shamelessly deflect your responsibility? I guess the children born of someone despicable would continue to be a disgrace. Just think about what he has done!”
“Obviously, he pales in comparison to your son who only knows how to live a hedonistic lifestyle. Certainly, no one is his equal when it comes to doing that. He spends all his time around women without any care in the world. Sooner or later, you'll find his dead body on one of their beds.” Allie's rebuttal was equally vicious.
At the receiving end of Allie's eloquent yet scathing words, the prim and proper Lily trembled in rage.
It was impossible for her to comprehend how Bruce had fallen for such a vulgar and unrefined woman. After all, one could never fake an elegant facade for a long time.
Meanwhile, Kendrick was rendered speechless.
F*ck. I didn't even do anything, and yet, I'm the one being ridiculed. Life sure sucks!
Feeling distraught watching his two daughters-in-law quarrel, Jeffrey felt the urge to kick them both out of the house.
As his walking stick slammed heavily on the ground, he ordered in an authoritative tone, “Enough! Whoever makes another sound should get out.”
Even though Jeffrey's anger had shut the two ladies up, it didn't diminish the brimming hatred they harbored for each other.
After watching Cayden taking a seat on the couch calmly, Jeffrey—in no mood to beat around the bust—questioned candidly, “Cayden, is the news about you, Avery, and Dylan on the internet true? Since Avery and Dylan got together first, did you interfere in their marriage as the third party?”
Triggered by what she heard, Allie defended her son, “Dad, how can that be? Cayden is so much more eligible than Dylan, so why does he need to break up the latter's marriage? Besides, Avery is obviously a woman with loose principles. Daughters born out of lowly families can never amount to much. It must be she who tried to seduce Cayden instead.”
Allie threw her son a glance. Her son Cayden who was steady and mature was the man of every girl's dream. Even the state secretary's daughter, Nicole, fell head over heels for him, a testament to how charming he was.
Consequently, Avery refused to let Avery have her only son.
“Hey, are you talking about yourself? Have you forgotten that you, too, were born into a lowly family? Look who's talking here,” Lily mocked.
Allie gritted her teeth in anger. “Lily, are you challenging me on purpose?”
“Mom, Avery is my woman. Please show her some respect!” Cayden's expression was solemn; his voice frosty as ice.
He didn't like to hear anyone speak ill of Avery, and his mother was no exception.
“You...” Allie scowled when her own son humiliated her in front of Lily and the others. “Cayden, you shouldn't be blinded by Avery, who's just a materialistic and selfish woman. She's not worthy of you, and you certainly deserve someone better.”
Despite raising his intent gaze to look at his mother for a long time, Cayden maintained a sullen look on his face.
After breathing a sigh, Allie didn't say anything further.
Thereafter, Cayden turned around and declared resolutely, “Grandpa, Mom, regardless of whether you acknowledge Avery or accept her into the family, she will always be the only woman in my life. Going forward, she's also the children's mother.”
As he looked at his father with admiration, Zachary flashed him a discreet thumbs-up to indicate his approval.
Daddy is amazing! He isn't afraid of Great-grandpa's authority or Grandma's temper. For the sake of being together with Mommy, he truly is going all out!
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