Chapter 298 Her and His Tacit Understanding

Chapter 298 Her and His Tacit Understanding

Octavia yanked Hayden toward her, her expression tight and unpleasant.

"Hayden, who taught you manners like this? Ignoring your elders, pretending you can't hear someone calling you?"

Scarlett hadn't expected Octavia to grab the boy so abruptly. Worried she might hurt his hand, Scarlett snapped at her.

"Let him go."

Instead of releasing him, Octavia tightened her grip. Hayden winced, his small hand twisting under her fingers.

"Let go of me!" He shot back, his eyebrows bristling like those of a cornered little wildcat.

Scarlett felt panic spike in her chest. She reached in, trying to pry Octavia's fingers off him. "Octavia, if you don't release him right now, this becomes intentional harm."

Octavia had always resented Scarlett. Back when Ambrose shielded her, Octavia couldn't touch Scarlett. But now she'd heard Ambrose wasn't protecting Scarlett anymore, and Scarlett even had the nerve to walk around with Hayden—sometimes even taking him places as if the child were hers. Octavia's fury boiled over. She lifted her hand and swung directly at Scarlett's face.

Scarlett had been focused entirely on Hayden's trapped hand. By the time she reacted, the blow had already landed.

Her cheek burned sharply, but she ignored it. All she cared about was getting Octavia's hand off Hayden before she hurt him.

A child's bones were fragile, and the thought made Scarlett's stomach tighten.

Octavia sneered down at her. "Who do you think you are? I'm talking to my son. You don't get to tell me what to do."

She scoffed, "I haven't even started settling scores with you, and you're already getting bold? You walk around acting like my son is yours. I could call the cops right now and say you're kidnapping him."

Hayden was still hurting, but when he saw Scarlett get slapped, fury lit in his eyes. He bent forward and bit down hard on Octavia's hand.

The pain made Octavia jerk violently. Hayden stumbled back, but he'd trained enough that he didn't fall.

Scarlett immediately wrapped an arm around him. "Hayden, are you okay?"

He shook his head. "I'm fine. Scarlett, does your face hurt?"

The fact that he noticed, that he was worried about her, warmed something deep inside her. The sting on her cheek faded beneath that warmth.

"I'm okay," she murmured.

"Hayden, you bit me? I'm your mother! Did she put you up to this?" Octavia lunged again.

Scarlett didn't give her the chance. She rose quickly and slapped her across the face.

"That's for hitting me earlier." She struck her again. "And that's for hurting Hayden."

Octavia, stunned and shaking with rage, hurled herself at Scarlett. But she was no match. Scarlett dodged, landed another slap, and finally shoved her to the ground.

Octavia clutched her chest, pointing a trembling finger. "I'm calling the cops! I'll report you for assault!"

"Go ahead," Scarlett said, her voice cool. "Please do. The hotel cameras caught everything. Who started it, who grabbed the child, who attacked first? You walk around acting like my son is yours."

Moments ago, she hadn't dared fight back with Hayden trapped in Octavia's grip. But now that he was safe, she had no hesitation at all.

Scarlett pulled out her phone and dialed. She did it right in front of Octavia.

"I'd like to report an assault," she said. "Four Seasons Hotel."

When she hung up, she ignored Octavia's wide-eyed disbelief. "I've already called. We can talk at the station."

If Octavia wanted to keep picking fights, Scarlett had no intention of letting her walk away.

The police arrived quickly. After questioning everyone, the police took them to the station.

In the interrogation room, Octavia looked agitated, almost claustrophobic. She had a history with law enforcement, and the sight of the place unsettled her.

"I was just talking to my son," she insisted loudly. "She kept getting in the way. That's why I acted. That woman is up to something!"

The officer across from her raised a brow. "You say he's your son. Do you have proof?"

"You can call Ambrose," Octavia snapped. "He's his father."

The officer froze for a beat.

Ambrose from Silverlight City had a child with the mayor's daughter?

That was headline material.

Meanwhile, Scarlett calmly recounted Octavia's actions. The hotel footage backed her up.

"Ms. Mellon," the officer said, "Ms. Mitchell may have acted improperly, but she is the child's mother. You shouldn't have prevented her from seeing him."

Scarlett let out a quiet laugh. "She isn't his mother. I'm the biological mother. She stole my child four years ago. Because of her, we were separated all this time. I'm pressing charges."

Shock rippled across the officer's face.

The reversal came swiftly.

He paused for nearly a full minute before asking, "Do you have evidence you're the biological mother?"

"Yes. I have a paternity test." Scarlett's expression stayed calm, but resolve burned behind it.

She was done hiding the truth. The Reynolds family had made their move; it was time for the Mitchell family to face consequences too. Octavia would be their weak point.

After leaving the room, Scarlett spotted her two little ones waiting with Ruben. When they saw her, they sprinted forward.

"Mom!"

Scarlett crouched to gather them close. They were trembling. She soothed them gently.

"It's okay. I'm fine."

Once they relaxed a little, Ruben approached. "You two go sit over there. I need a word with your mom."

They looked at Scarlett. She smiled and stroked their hair. "Go on. I'll be right there. We'll go home soon."

They obeyed, giving the adults space.

Ruben lowered his voice. "Scarlett, Ambrose heard about what happened. His instruction is clear—the Mitchell family doesn't get any more time. Octavia goes straight to detention."

She and Ambrose always did think alike. The same strategy, the same timing.

"I've already explained the situation to the officers," she said. "Octavia won't be walking out of here anytime soon."

"I have more evidence," Ruben replied. "Everything she did to you four years ago—we'll submit all of it together."

She nodded. "Good. With that, she'll never get another chance."

Before long, Felix arrived. Once he got involved, the outcome was certain. Scarlett's evidence alone was enough to bury Octavia legally and permanently.

Xander drove Scarlett home. He'd been waiting at the hotel entrance earlier and hadn't expected Octavia to start trouble inside. He apologized repeatedly, guilt weighing on him.

"This wasn't on you," Scarlett reassured him. "Honestly, this gave me the opportunity I needed."

"Mr. Boleyn heard what happened," Xander said. "He wants you to call him."

Scarlett dialed Ambrose. He picked up on the second ring.

"You okay?"

"I'm fine." But she missed him, more than she wanted to admit.

"I'll finish up here and head back soon," he said. "Felix and Ruben will handle Octavia. Just give them the evidence. Stay home until I return. Don't go to the office. Keep the kids with you."

His concern wrapped around her like a warm coat.

"Okay. Don't worry. We'll stay in."

As long as she and the kids were safe, he would be free to do what he needed to do.

"If the Reynolds family is making their move," Ambrose continued, "the Mitchell family won't remain quiet either. Octavia is the crack in their armor. I'll coordinate with Vaughn."