Chapter 5
“Liam, you’ve got some nerve!”
Vivian snapped, her voice cutting like a whip.
“Don’t even try it. Someone snapped a photo of you two at the airport. It’s already on the news!”
She turned back to Liam, her voice growing louder with every word.
“Do you have any idea how this makes Scarlett look? How makes all of us look? You’re married, Liam! How could you do this to her?”
Liam’s jaw tightened, his frustration evident.
“Mom, stop calling her a vixen. Chloe’s not like that.”
Vivian’s eyes flashed with anger.
“Oh, really? Then what is she? A saint? Please. You’ve completely lost your mind, Liam. I can’t deal with you right now, but your grandfather will.”
“Get to the study. He’s waiting for you.”
Liam’s face darkened, but he didn’t argue.
With a sharp nod, he turned and marched inside.
As he disappeared down the hall, Vivian let out a heavy sigh, pressing a hand to her chest.
“What did I do to deserve such a foolish son?” she muttered, more to herself than anyone else.
Scarlett stepped closer, her voice gentle.
“Mom, don’t stress yourself out over him. It’s not worth it.”
Vivian looked at Scarlett, her expression softening immediately.
The love and concern in her eyes were unmistakable.
“Don’t worry, sweetheart. I might disown that son of mine, but I’ll never disown you. You’ll always have us in your corner.”
Scarlett linked her arm through Vivian’s, warmth blooming in her chest.
“Thanks, Mom. I’m okay, really,”
To Scarlett, Vivian had always felt more like a mother than her own.
After Scarlett’s biological mother had distanced herself, it was Vivian who had been there for her, especially during the darkest times.
When Scarlett had ended up in the hospital three years ago, it was Vivian who had stayed by her side, refusing to leave, while her own mother hadn’t visited once.
Despite everything, Scarlett felt a deep sense of gratitude for the Hawthornes.
“Let’s head inside,” Vivian said with a soft smile.
“It’s been a long day.”
Chapter 5
Scarlett nodded, and the two of them walked in together.
Halfway up the stairs, Scarlett slowed her pace, her ears catching the low rumble of a heated argument coming from the study.
“Scarlett?”
Vivian called, pausing a few steps ahead.
“I’ll be up in a minute,” Scarlett replied quickly.
As Vivian continued to her room, Scarlett lingered, moving closer to the study.
Inside, Arthur’s voice was firm, unyielding.
“If you want a divorce, fine. But twenty percent of the company’s shares will go to Scarlett.”
“And if you marry that woman, you’ll resign from the company. You won’t get a single cent from this family.”
Liam’s voice was sharp with indignation.
“Grandpa, how can you side with her? Scarlett’s nothing but a fraud. Even her own family doesn’t want her anymore. Why should we?”
Arthur’s tone dropped, icy and commanding.
“I don’t care about her past or who doesn’t want her. She’s part of this family because I say she is. I was the first to hold her when she was born, and I’ve watched her grow up.”
“If you can’t see the good in her, that’s your loss, but I won’t stand by and let you humiliate her.”
There was a pause, heavy with tension, before Arthur delivered his final blow.
“Remember this, Liam: You can give up your marriage to Scarlett, but you’ll also give up your claim as heir. If you want to throw it all away for that. girl, so be it.”
Scarlett stood there for a moment, letting the weight of Arthur’s words sink in.
Without a sound, she turned and headed up to her room.
Half an hour later, Liam entered the room they now shared.
Scarlett was seated at the vanity, carefully removing her makeup.
The soft light reflected off her clean, unadorned face, making her look younger, almost ethereal.
Liam leaned against the doorframe, his arms crossed.
“What kind of spell did you cast on Grandpa? He treats you better than his own grandson.”
Scarlett didn’t look up as she smoothed on a face mask, her movements deliberate and elegant.
“Maybe it’s because I’ve been more of a grandchild to him than you have. At least I didn’t disappear for three years without a word.”
Liam’s laugh was bitter, laced with disbelief.
“So, what? You swooped in, played the good little granddaughter, and convinced him to take my shares away if we split? Is that it?”
Scarlett finally turned to face him, her expression calm but sharp.
“Don’t pin this on me, Liam. You’re the one who left. You’re the one who ignored your family. Don’t act like this is some grand conspiracy.”
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From Mafia Mistress to Billionaire’s Wife–Same Day, Different Groom
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Chapter 5
“If anything, you’re just facing the consequences of your own actions.”
Liam narrowed his eyes, his voice dropping.
“Scarlett, you’ll do anything to hold onto me, won’t you? Even now, you’re scheming.”
