Chapter 4
But his love was too worthless now.
To reassure Vanessa, the next day he told me he wanted Carson to enter the family registry.
“Although he’s an adopted son, to silence gossip, we have to do this.”
This day would come sooner or later.
The day Carson officially returned to the Thornwood family would be the day I left.
Meeting Jasper’s expectant gaze, I nodded without hesitation and even began preparing Carson’s ceremonial attire.
Jasper was immensely gratified, saying Carson would surely be filial to me.
But I didn’t need his respect or devotion!
I only wanted my own child!
My internal screams and devastation remained buried beneath my calm exterior, unheard by anyone.
After returning to the Thornwood family mansion, Vanessa and Carson moved in as a matter of course, with more presence than me, the legitimate Mrs. Thornwood.
The Thornwood elders absolutely adored their grandson, elevating Vanessa’s status accordingly.
They must have known about Carson’s existence all along.
Only I was the clown, foolishly deceived by appearances for so many years.
On the day of Carson’s ceremony, I was wheeled into the ancestral hall by servants, but Vanessa was already waiting in the main hall.
She took over from the servants, pushing my wheelchair while taunting me.
‘Vivienne Reynolds, you’ve suspected all along that Carson is Jasper’s and my child, haven’t you? Must’ve been tough playing happy family while knowing the truth. Clinging to your Mrs. Thornwood title? Enjoy it while it lasts, honey–it won’t be yours much longer.”
I smiled faintly. “Feeling proud? He’s just an illegitimate son kept in the shadows. Even if he enters the family registry, what then?”
Vanessa looked at me with extreme pity. “After Carson is accepted into the family, he’ll be groomed as the heir. Even if you weren’t crippled now, even if you had a child, they couldn’t compare to Carson.”
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“Oh right, I heard your baby was also a fully–formed male fetus?”
Vanessa laughed triumphantly. “When faced with a choice between two sons, Jasper decisively stood with me. Don’t you understand yet?”
She could say anything she wanted.
She could mock me however she pleased.
But why bring up my poor child?
I wasn’t targeting anyone–I just wanted to get through today and quietly leave. Was even that not allowed?
I stood up using my crutches and slapped Vanessa across the face.
“Carson is a Thornwood, but what are you?”
As I finished speaking, Carson immediately ran in and hugged Vanessa’s waist.
“Mom! Why did you hit my mom? You bad woman!”
The Thornwood elders followed closely behind. Seeing Vanessa covering her face in tears, their expressions
instantly changed.
“Vivienne Reynolds, what are you doing? Who gave you permission to raise your hand in the ancestral hall?”
Mrs. Thornwood sneered, “A barren woman is worth less than a stray mutt. Get the hell out of here, you eyesore!”
Then she pushed me away.
Committing fully to my act, I fell directly onto a low table with incense burning.
The scalding burns nearly made me scream.
Meanwhile, Jasper stood not far away, his eyes filled with disappointment. “Vivienne, today is Carson’s special day. Please stop making a scene, okay?”
“Someone fix Miss Quinn’s makeup!”
on at the Thornwood estate, seeing Miss Quinn is the same as seeing me. No one is to be disrespectful!”
Supporting Vanessa!
Right in front of me, he was acting as this woman’s protector!
Watching him carefully examining Vanessa’s injuries while Carson tearfully defended her, my face grew increasingly pale.
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“Ma’am, please make way.”
A servant needed to relight the incense. Mrs. Thornwood impatiently pulled me aside. “Get your useless carcass out of the way! No sense of propriety? If you ruin my grandson’s auspicious timing, I’ll make your life a living hell!”
Jasper still remained silent.
I was left alone, quietly wheeling myself away.
The time had come.
Just before I left, a text from Jasper arrived:
[I don’t blame you for today’s incident. It’s natural you don’t like Vanessa as Carson’s foster mother, but you’ll need
to get along from now on. Stop throwing tantrums, understand?]
0
[Carson and I will make it up to you in the future.]
After reading it, I hardened my resolve and threw the phone out the window.
Soon after, the ancestral hall ceremony was about to begin, with all the Thornwood family elders in attendance.
Jasper looked around, not seeing me, and ordered, “Quickly, bring Ma’am here.”
But much time passed, and I still hadn’t appeared.
Mrs. Thornwood impatiently said, “Where’s that ungrateful girl gone off to? Did she throw a fit just because we
scolded her a bit?”
Vanessa put on a cautious, meek appearance. “Is Mrs. Thornwood angry with me? It’s my fault for saying something
o upset her…”
Mr. Thornwood slammed his cane down. “Vivienne is becoming increasingly disrespectful! Actually, it’s better she doesn’t come. Since Vanessa is Carson’s biological mother, why not have her stand in?”
With that, everyone looked toward Jasper.
He responded gravely, “Vivienne is Carson’s mother in name. Without her presence, this isn’t proper.”
‘Send someone to find her again!”
After a long wait, when the incense had burned out and been relit, his assistant appeared, wiping sweat from his brow. “Sir, Mrs. Thornwood, she…”
Seeing the assistant’s hesitation, Jasper sighed and addressed the family elders:
“Vivienne is being difficult again. She’s been emotionally unstable since the surgery. I ask the elders to be understanding.”
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Then he turned to his assistant: “Go find her again. Make sure Mrs. Thornwood appears without fail!”
He turned back to light incense before the ancestral tablets.
“No, sir–she fell off the cliff!”
In the next moment, the incense stick snapped in Jasper’s hand.
He spun around violently, grabbing the assistant’s collar, his eyes bulging with rage.
“What did you say? Say it again!”
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