Semua Bab Side Chick Era… Over: Bab 1431 - Bab 1440

The Kalen family had become a quagmire—anyone who stepped in was bound to get stained.With so many other potential partners to work with, why bother getting involved with one so controversial? In the end, no money would be made, and even their own market value could be affected. Why risk it?Silas's collaborators all kept their distance. Forget negotiating deals—most didn't even dare speak to him, afraid of being labeled a domestic abuser or an unfaithful scoundrel by association.Everyone had something to say about the situation."Weren't the Kalen heirs supposed to be exceptional? How does the top socialite turn out to be illegitimate, then scandalized for her private life? And now, Silas is accused of domestic violence and infidelity? The Kalen family is a real den of vipers!""The Blakely family just announced the engagement to Rick. Ginny's about to marry into this family… her life is probably ruined forever, right?""Ginny, run! Don't marry into the Kalen family!""I hear

After all, Kelly and the Kalen family weren't even on the same level.Sharon said, "To be honest, back then I worried you were sent by Kelly to ruin Shaluna."For a moment, the air seemed to freeze.Thomas's expression gradually faded, subtle yet noticeable. Sharon, always alert, caught the shift immediately. She remembered what he had said earlier and guessed that he didn't like being suspected.Quickly, she explained, "I'd been tripped up by Kelly so many times that I was on edge. Besides, if you really had been sent by her, do you think I'd still be standing here calmly?"The more Sharon understood Thomas, the more she realized just how dangerous he could be. With his skills and intellect, if he had truly intended to scheme against her, she would've already been destroyed without even seeing it coming.Thomas's black eyes darkened as he looked at her."Sharon, what if I really had been sent by Kelly?"Sharon didn't immediately deny it. Instead, she considered him seriously

Sharon understood Thomas's meaning. "You mean… Lex contacted the McKinzie family to help Victoria?"Thomas nodded slightly. "From Victoria's position, she absolutely cannot get involved with the McKinzie family. For her to rise, there are very few people she can step on. She grew up with the Kalen brothers, so they would never be her first choice."Besides them, there's someone ready-made—you. You hold original shares and are in direct opposition to them. She has countless reasons to justify working against you. But because there's still the family connection, she can't act without cause. Using the McKinzie family is the cleanest solution."Thomas's gaze drifted to the window, distant and thoughtful."As for Lex, helping Victoria isn't just because of personal feelings. Once she rises, it benefits him in every way. Marrying Victoria would be like marrying the one who controls Kalen Group. Even if they never end up together, Victoria will feel indebted to him, creating a bond closer

Julia continued, "In truth, Shayla never had deep feelings for your father."She had watched Richard entangled with his first love, but she had no energy—or desire—to intervene. Their marriage wasn't necessarily built on love; it was tied up with countless interests and obligations. By all logic, both parties understood this tacitly: as long as things didn't get too messy, they could turn a blind eye."But Richard was too flamboyant, too reckless, and far too blatant."Sharon, do you know how dangerous it was when Shayla gave birth to Rick?" Julia's voice was low, tinged with bitterness."Shayla had been shoved by Richard's first love, triggering a premature labor. And while Shayla fought through life and death to bring Rick into the world, Richard was at his first love's side, fussing over her, attending to her every whim."When Shayla finally delivered, exhausted and weak, that wretched woman had the audacity to flaunt herself before Shayla. Richard even had the gall to accuse S

Sharon gave a faint, ambiguous smile, saying nothing.Once she and Thomas had left, the smiles on the McKinzie family members' faces vanished entirely.Sebastian's son, Clark, let out a contemptuous snort."She's just a woman," he said, voice dripping with disdain, "of all things she could learn, she has to come meddling with men over power and influence. Does she even have the ability for it? Her mother, Shayla, once held power in the Kalen family—but what was the end result? She was kicked out in the end, left to die a stranger in a foreign land."Alexander turned to Julia. "What do you think of Sharon?"Julia's murky, gentle expression sharpened instantly, eyes hard and calculating."She has some cunning. She'll be hard to deal with. But…"Her gaze followed Sharon's departing figure, full of meaning."No matter how cunning, she's still just a woman. And women… are prone to letting their emotions rule them. Shayla, as clever as she was, still fell because of her feelings. As