"..."

’He predicted all of this? He knew Nathan Fawcett would kick me out?’

Charles Prescott said, "Actually, this is for the best. Since you’re back, just be good and stay by my side. The spot next to me has always been reserved for you. We can go back to how things were. Why did you have to go suffer at Nathan Fawcett’s place just to spite me? Look at him. The moment something happens, he kicks you out. I would never do that."

Anne Sutton said, "Of course you wouldn’t! After all, you’ll take any woman who gets close to you. What about the one who was just having dinner with you? Why don’t you bring her out for me to see? What are you afraid of? That I’ll eat her alive?"

Charles Prescott glanced at the dinner table, then back at Anne Sutton, a smirk playing on his lips. In a low voice, he said, "What’s this? Are you angry, Anne? If you mind, I can kick her out right now."

Sylvia Warren: "..."

???

She had thought Charles Prescott would surely speak to Anne Sutton with animosity, but she never expected him to be so gentle.

She couldn’t quite put her finger on what was wrong, but she felt a pang of envy.

...

Fearing the two would actually conspire to kick her out, Sylvia Warren quickly walked out. Seeing Anne Sutton, she said, "Ms. Sutton, you’re here."

Seeing her suddenly emerge, Charles Prescott frowned.

Anne Sutton wasn’t surprised to see it was Sylvia Warren. She looked at Charles Prescott and said, "So this is where you hid her after she was so rude last time! You two really put on a good show in front of Nathan Fawcett."

Charles Prescott said, "She’s pregnant. I can’t just ignore her. I was just checking up on her. I have no feelings for her."

Sylvia Warren: "..."

It felt like another arrow had pierced her chest. After all... that wasn’t what Charles Prescott said when he was with her.

Now, he was telling Anne Sutton he had no feelings for her.

You have to understand, Sylvia Warren had always been very proud in front of Anne Sutton.

Now, Charles Prescott’s words were a slap in the face. In his eyes, she was nothing; her only value was the child in her belly.

Anne Sutton stared at Charles Prescott. ’Wasn’t he fiercely protective of Sylvia Warren before, letting her walk all over me?’

’But now...’

’He’s deliberately saying this right in front of Sylvia Warren.’

’So, by acting like this, he’s trying to show me he values me, is that it?’

’Too bad nothing he does now will work.’

Anne Sutton looked at Sylvia Warren and said, "I wonder what Miss Warren is thinking after hearing that?"

Sylvia Warren stiffened, knowing Anne Sutton was mocking her.

But she had to save face, so she didn’t cry or cause a scene. "Mr. Prescott has always cared deeply for Ms. Sutton. What is there for me to think? In any case, no matter who he loves, I just hope he can be happy."

Charles Prescott looked at Anne Sutton and said, "Anne, you see? Neither of us sees you as an outsider. Stop making a fuss and come back to me, can you?"

Anne Sutton looked at the two of them. Charles Prescott was even wearing the pair of slippers from the matching set he had with her, yet here he was, saying such disgusting things.

’He really thinks he’s some kind of emperor, doesn’t he?’

’Free to rule over a harem of thousands!’

’And I’m supposed to be one of them?’

Anne Sutton said, "I only came here today to tell you this, Charles Prescott: even if you resort to these kinds of tricks, you won’t get your way. Even if I don’t end up with Nathan Fawcett, I’ll be with someone else."

Hearing this, Charles Prescott’s expression turned cold. "You really have that little regard for me?"

Anne Sutton said, "Looking at you just makes my eyes burn. I truly regret not leaving you sooner! Who the hell do you think you are?"

Sylvia Warren had been worried that Anne Sutton would actually agree to get back with Charles Prescott, so hearing her say this, she breathed a sigh of relief.

She looked at Charles Prescott and seized the opportunity to add fuel to the fire. "Mr. Prescott, if Ms. Sutton doesn’t want to be with you, you shouldn’t force her! She only has eyes for Mr. Fawcett now. She even wants to have his children. She’s not ’clean’ anymore..."

Sylvia Warren was only halfway through her sentence when Charles Prescott looked up and slapped her across the face.

Sylvia Warren was completely stunned by the blow.

She looked at Charles Prescott, clutching her face, her eyes filled with disbelief.

Charles Prescott said, "This has nothing to do with you. Get lost."

He had thought that with Anne Sutton and Nathan Fawcett separated, he would have his chance. But instead, Anne had rejected him outright.

And to make matters worse, Sylvia Warren was here adding fuel to the fire, which infuriated him.

Even Anne Sutton was taken aback by Charles Prescott’s slap.

The man who had always been so gentle had actually resorted to violence.

Sylvia Warren clamped her mouth shut, feeling wronged and utterly humiliated, and walked away.

Anne Sutton looked at Charles Prescott and said, "Mr. Prescott, you’re really pulling out all the stops to keep me from being with Nathan Fawcett."

Charles Prescott’s face was grim. "I’m being serious with you. Don’t even think about getting back together with Nathan Fawcett. Anne Sutton, you’ve lost your chance! Your only option now is to come back to me. Otherwise, the Sutton Family will be bankrupt by tomorrow. Do you believe me?"

He had helped the Sutton Family before because Nathan Fawcett had put in a word for them.

But now that Nathan Fawcett was ignoring her, the power of life and death was back in his hands.

He was threatening her.

Anne Sutton said, "Nathan Fawcett doesn’t want me anymore. I have no use to you now, Charles Prescott. Why are you forcing me? If the Sutton Family makes money, you make money too."

"I told you, I just want you back by my side," Charles Prescott said. "Anne, we were together for so many years! I do love you."

Charles Prescott had actually imagined that if Anne Sutton and Nathan Fawcett ever broke up, he would make her beg for forgiveness, and then he would graciously allow her to return to his side.

But now, she showed no intention of doing so, which in turn made him the anxious and worried one.

He was terrified that she really wouldn’t come back, so all he could do was try to reason with her, hoping she would stop throwing a tantrum.

Anne Sutton said, "But it’s too late. I belong to Nathan Fawcett now! Besides, I think he’s much better than you."

"Are you trying to die?" As soon as Anne Sutton finished speaking, Charles Prescott strode over, raised his hand, and grabbed her by the throat. "I don’t even mind that you slept with him, and I’m asking you to come back to me. What more do you want? Can’t you just be with me properly?"

"Are you trying to choke me to death?" Anne Sutton’s eyes widened as she stared at him in disbelief.

Charles Prescott froze for a moment, only then realizing she had provoked him into violence.

’No...’

’I’m not that kind of person!’

’I’m not like Nathan Fawcett.’

He let go of her and looked at Anne Sutton, saying, "I was just too angry! I didn’t mean it."

Anne Sutton stared at him. "I thought you were just a philanderer, but it turns out you’re a violent maniac, too. You’d even hit the woman carrying your child. Charles Prescott, what’s so good about you? You’re truly even worse than Nathan Fawcett."