The man shot a nervous glance at Theo, words spilling out as his hands shook.
With each sentence, Theo’s face grew darker. His hands, balled into fists at his side, trembled with anger. He’d always suspected Kelly was scheming against Patricia, but he never thought it would blow up this fast.
“Where’s my mother?” Theo’s voice was sharp.
Jackson stepped up to the bed, yanked back the covers, and let Theo see for himself. Kelly was sprawled out, completely naked and out cold. Next to her, some guy was just as bare.
“Patricia, that’s your mother–in–law. She’s family. Are you trying to ruin her?” Theo’s voice cracked, disbelief written all over his face.
Patricia let out a cold laugh. “Did she remember I was family when she tried to set me up? Don’t pretend to be the dutiful son now, Theo.”
“I haven’t called the cops. That’s me giving you a break. Do you really think Newton Enterprises can handle this kind of scandal right now?”
She never wanted things to go this far. But honestly, the Newtons had pushed her past her limit. Cheating wasn’t enough for them–they wanted her dragged through the dirt, blamed for something she didn’t do.
She knew how to protect herself–and she knew how to fight back. There was no way she’d just accept this humiliation.
Theo stared her down, searching for even a hint of weakness. He found nothing.
He’d heard about Patricia for years. She was the girl raised to take over her family business,
attending meetings while other kids were out having fun. By the time she was four, she was already making headlines in finance magazines.
She was sharp–maybe even sharper than him.
Finally, after a long, tense pause, Theo let out a heavy sigh. “What do you want?”
Patricia didn’t miss a beat. “A divorce.”
He scoffed. “Am I really that bad? You can’t even stand to have your name next to mine on a marriage
license?”
She smiled, cool and unbothered. “Mr. Newton, do you think this is some kind of joke?”
Jackson couldn’t help himself–he laughed. “Mr. Newton, you’re something else. Can’t handle your own home, no real marriage, cheating left and right, and you still have the nerve to ask why she wants out? Seriously, does your family not own a single mirror?”
“Guys like you? The internet would eat you alive.”
Theo shot Jackson a death glare, then turned to Patricia. “Not now.”
Newton Enterprises was barely holding together. A divorce now would just give the board more
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Chapter 38
ammunition. Everything would fall apart.
“The company’s at a breaking point. I can’t risk it.”
Patricia’s lashes lifted as she looked at him, her voice ice–cold. “I’m not asking. I’m telling you.”
Men always think they’re in control–never realizing when the tables have turned and the knife’s already at their throat.
“Patricia!” Theo barked, storming toward her, his expensive shoes thudding against the floor.
Jackson stepped between them, standing protectively in front of Patricia, his glare daring Theo to try anything.
“Don’t burn every bridge, Theo. You might regret it one day.”
“Oh, really? I doubt your precious Ms. Miller or Ms. Martin will want to see me once I’m your ex–wife.”
“What does Ruby have to do with this? She’s not even in the country-”
Patricia cut him off, shoving her phone in his face.
Chapter 39
Chapter 39
