Semua Bab No Longer Theirs: The One They Can't Replace: Bab 31 - Bab 40

"I haven't harmed anyone or committed any crimes. I only asked the person spreading rumors about me to apologize. Is that wrong in your eyes?" Winter looked calmly at Heather, who was stern. "Does my marrying into the Stroud family mean that I'm not allowed to seek justice for myself and preserve my dignity?"Everyone was stunned. This was the first time in five years that the ever-submissive Winter was standing up to Heather like this. It was rarer than a comet hitting Earth!Joshua's gaze darkened further as he watched Winter.Jasmine's face was flushed as she stood, fuming. "Winter Everhart! Where are your manners? How dare you speak to my mother like that!""Sit down, Jasmine!" Florence's expression turned frosty. "Look at yourself before you lecture others. You're married now, yet you carry none of the grace of a refined lady. Do you think my house is a place for you to scream and shout?"Jasmine glared at Winter's serene, unruffled face. It only made her seem like a squawkin

Winter paused mid-step."Do you think that Joshua would at least have some feelings for you after five years? After all, you gave him a son." Jasmine leaned in, whispering in her ear with a voice dripping with mockery. "Someone like him is so unapproachable and lofty that he won't even touch something if he doesn't want it."He doesn't love you, yet he knocked you up. Do you really think he's that careless? Do you really think that he truly accepted you?"Winter stiffened. Her voice was strained as she asked, "What are you getting at?""Allowing you to get pregnant and to have the Stroud family's heir wasn't because Joshua wanted you." Jasmine stuck her nose in the air, smiling maliciously. "It's because that geomancer, Mr. Skye Morrison, said your birth chart was compatible with Joshua's."At the time, my father was in a deep coma. If you could have a child as soon as possible, it might ward off the bad luck looming over our family and maybe even wake my father up."Her voice wa

"You're judging others by your own standards. That's your thinking, not Elijah's." Winter let out a cold laugh, her expression frosty. "Don't assume everyone is as crude and shallow as you. Elijah is a good man. Even if he weren't, you have no right to judge him."As expected, there was something between them. She was so protective of Elijah!Joshua's blood boiled, and his presence turned frigid. "Winter, just come back and play your role as my wife. I can let whatever you said or did before slide. But if you keep being reckless and getting tangled up with Elijah, don't blame me for what I'll do. Don't regret this."Winter's gaze didn't waver. "Regret? Is there anything I'll regret more than marrying you?"Joshua felt like he'd been struck in the chest. The metallic taste of blood rose in his throat.As they faced off, someone knocked on the door. "Mrs. Stroud, Mr. Terence just said he's having trouble breathing. Please come quickly!""I'll be right there!" Winter sprang up from

After leaving Stroud Estate, Winter went straight back to Crescent Court. She cooked a simple meal, ate, and then dove into the study. She pored over project data from Everlast Tech's recent years.On the way home, memories of last night's argument with Joshua had flooded her mind. She'd thought about how he cherished Jessica, trampled her dignity, ignored the bullying she'd faced at work, and even tried to treat her like a tool to satisfy his desires.Her heart had throbbed painfully with each thought, as if pierced by bullets. But the moment she immersed herself in data analysis and automotive designs, she could cast all this anguish aside, replacing it with renewed energy.She was so engrossed that it took several rings for her to notice her phone. She fumbled for it and picked it up, saying, "Hey, Mich."Michelle's cheerful voice came through. "You finally picked up, Winter!"Winter couldn't help but laugh. "Sorry, it took me a while to hear you. What's up?""It's the weekend

Steven's words made the already tense atmosphere freeze over.Michelle gaped in astonishment, her eyes fixed on Winter's stunning, icy face. Her heart pounded.She'd asked before about the rumors online, but Winter had brushed them off, and she hadn't pressed further. After all, how could the CEO's actual wife work like a grunt in the grueling R&D department without even being a permanent employee? She'd been nothing but a low-tier temporary employee on contract!What kind of bizarre marriage dynamic was this?When Winter remained silent and merely eyed him coldly, Steven frowned. "Did you hear what I said, Winter?""Mr. Lynch, the older you get, the thicker your skin seems to grow." Winter smiled, her eyes glinting coldly with contempt.Ruth and Jessica froze. Even Ruth, who was usually silver-tongued, was at a loss for words.Steven glared at Winter, but he couldn't lash out in public. He growled, "Watch your attitude, Winter Everhart! I'm your father!""Only rumors need clar