Chapter 159

Chapter 159

Abellyn’s thoughts took a dark turn. Then, I’ll tell Ryder that Tommy isn’t even

his son. I wonder how devastated he’ll be!

Her expression turned downright spiteful as if Ryder was her sworn enemy

rather than her husband.

Ryder’s resolve wavered after the call.

For his son, he knew he had to cajole Abellyn to return home, yet he worried

that doing so would relegate him to a slave–like existence under his wife’s

rule.

What if she pulls this stunt every time she’s upset at something? Must I give

in and coax her home all the time? That’s impossible! Plus, I’m clearly not in

the wrong here!

After a moment of hesitation, he decided to call Emmanuel.

Emmanuel happened to be driving Mackenzie back to Yociam Residence

then. He answered his cousin’s call and asked, “What’s up, Ryder?”

“Ah, it’s nothing. How are you doing, Manny? Is the cyberbullying affecting

you?”

“Sort of. My phone is ringing off the hook, and I’m receiving a bunch of

dreadful texts from strangers. I can still handle it, though!”

Relieved, Ryder added, “That’s good. Try your best to resolve the incident as

quickly as you can so it doesn’t affect Ms. Quillen.”

“I know. Mackenzie applied for leave today to help me. We’ll try to quell the

issue ASAP!”

Emmanuel’s response affected Ryder more than he thought it would. His

admiration for Emmanuel’s relationship grew once more.

Objectively speaking, some people’s characters are simply inferior to others.

Emmanuel’s wife is always thinking of his well–being, even when the whole

city is lambasting him. She still trusts him and shows her support to face his

trials with him. Meanwhile, the only thing my wife cares about is the

Sheppards. She treats me like a money–making mule instead of a human

being!

Open

Monthly package

His prolonged silence prompted Emmanuel to ask in concern, “What’s wrong,

Ryder?”

Ryder eventually stammered, “N–Nothing. Well, erm, I didn’t agree to bring

Robby into the family, so Abellyn had a massive argument with me. She even

threatened to divorce me and ran to her sister’s place. Should I go there and

coax her to come home?”

#

Emmanuel was exasperated at his cousin’s dilemma.

Still, he knew he could not outright convince Ryder to divorce Abellyn. He only

advised, “Coaxing your wife is natural, but Ryder, think of your bottom line!

Don’t do something you’ll regret for the rest of your life in your bid to get her

to come home. Once Robby is officially part of your family, you probably can’t

get him to leave in the future!”

Ryder could not agree more with Emmanuel’s advice. It reminded him of the

dilemma he experienced when he first married Abellyn. He now faced a

similar situation about preserving his marriage.

Their phone call ended soon after. Suddenly, Mackenzie piped up, “Why did

your cousin marry someone like her in the first place?”

As Terence Group’s female CEO, Mackenzie had a keen eye for people’s

characters. Two brief encounters with Abellyn were all it took for her to

identify the woman’s conniving personality.

I can overlook her laziness and her crippling gambling addiction, but who

tries to help another person’s son when their own son is being picked on?

4/5

Her curiosity about Ryder’s affairs surprised Emmanuel. Who knew she would

show such interest in my relatives despite her distant behavior?

He sighed before replying, “Frankly, I always wondered if Ryder had been set

up! Abellyn used to have a questionable job, and Ryder only knew her

because he accepted his boss‘ invitation to visit a foot spa. Abellyn

happened to serve Ryder that day and added his phone number, though he

never contacted her. Then one night, she invited him out for supper. They got

really drunk that night, and Ryder woke up in a motel bed the next morning

with her. She got pregnant soon after, and Ryder married her to take

responsibility for their alleged one–night–stand.”