At this moment, Zoe stood beside her mother, dressed extravagantly like a true princess. The pitiful
scene of her begging, crying, and
apologizing to Ryan was nowhere to be seen.
Instead, her gaze toward Carrie was sinister, as if she wished to pounce and bite off Carrieâs throat!
âMom, let me introduce you.â
Zoe grinned insincerely, glaring at Carrie. âThis is the one I told you
I
about, Ms. Carrie Salvador, my middle school classmate. Sheâs now my brotherâs girlfriend, haha. Isnât
it coincidental?â
Upon hearing the words âgirlfriendâ, Carrieâs heart felt like it had been pierced by sharp needles.
Carrieâs small face blushed, and she shyly lowered her head. Intense
self-doubt made her instinctively want to withdraw her hand from Ryanâs warm palm. But Ryan seemed
to have read her inner thoughts
and adamantly refused to let go.
âZoe, have you said enough?â The manâs eyes darkened slightly, a
his voice carried a hint of anger.
Zoe, backed by her mother, grinned recklessly. âBig brother, did I say
î
something wrong? Why are you so angry? Or perhaps you only dare to
keep Ms. Salvador outside as a secret lover, but donât dare to bring
her home for Mom to see? Deep down, you also look down on her
because you know sheâs not worthy of the Hoffman family, right?â
âZoe, shut up!â Ryan could not bear hearing someone humiliate his
beloved woman in front of his family.
His eyes turned red with anger. Yasmin stood behind them, clenching
her fists.
âBig brother, look at the way youâre getting mad.â Zoe chuckled. âIf I hadnât touched on your pain point,
would you be this angry?â
âI donât have time to argue with you.â
After all, Ryan was a grown man and could not shout at his sister in front of his mother. He suppressed
his frustration and said in a deep
voice, âCarrie, Yasmin, letâs go.â
âWait.â
At this moment, the frosty-faced Claire suddenly spoke. Ryan halted in his steps, and he gripped
Carrieâs hand even tighter, feeling the chill
in his palms.
î
Claire didnât say much. She just wore a faint, almost imperceptible smile as she approached the couple
who were deeply in love. This smile momentarily eased Ryanâs vigilance.
Little did he know, as Claire reached Carrie, her eyes turned unexpectedly fierce, and she suddenly
raised her hand.
Smack!
âAhâ¦!â Carrieâs head turned to the side, her cheeks stinging and
throbbing. Tears of injustice filled her eyes.
âMom! What are you doing?!â
Ryanâs narrow and astonished eyes instantly reddened with anger.
Overwhelming fury threatened to engulf his reason.
Yasmin clenched her fists, seething with indignation. Yet, as a
subordinate of the Hoffman family, she dared not defy orders in front
of Ryanâs mother.
âDo you think you deserve to be with my son?â
Claire ignored Ryanâs fury, coldly fixating on the silently weeping Carrie. âDonât think that Iâll tolerate you
dating my son just because you are from the Salvador family. Iâm not even satisfied with your sister,
Bethany. How could I possibly let you, an autistic woman,
urs as soon as become my sonâs wife? Stop this wishful thinking of
î
possible!â
âMom! I wonât allow you to hurt Carrie. I donât want you to say anything more!â
Ryan stood in front of the tearful Carrie, his eyes filled with
resentment and anger. His iron fists clenched tightly, ready to
confront anyone who dared challenge him. âThatâs if you still want me to acknowledge you as my
mother!â
Zoe covered her mouth in astonishment.
She thought bringing their mother here would be the ultimate move
Everyone in Savrow knew her big brother was a devoted son who
listened to his motherâs words above all else.
Unexpectedly, for Carrieâs sake, Ryan would rather quarrel with his mother. How could this happen?!
âRyan⦠Are you really going to disown me, your mother, for this
mentally challenged girl?!â
Claireâs chest heaved violently, her eyes full of pain
âCarrie is not mentally challenged Carrie is the person I love!â
Ryan took a step closer to Claire His restrained tone carried a hint of tremor, unable to conceal the
imminent burning passion. âI love
î
Carrie. Besides her, I donât want anyone else. If you insult her again or hurt her once more, youâll lose
your only son
âRyan! Have you gone mad?! For this woman, youâre willing to forsake
your own mother?
î