Chapter 38 Confrontation After the Turmoil
Hearing my words, Isla's brows furrowed together. "What did you say?"
"You're filling my son's head with thoughts that harm his mental health, deliberately trying to destroy my family. I have every right to hold you accountable. Even if the court doesn't recognize it, I'll make sure everyone knows what you've done. The Thompson family has such a huge reputation and business - this kind of thing is absolutely humiliating for the Thompson family."
Instantly, Isla's face turned dark. She gritted her teeth and threatened in a low voice, "Sophia, you're still part of the Thompson family. If you dare treat me like this, people will say you're bullying your elders and have no respect!"
The manager of the BBQ restaurant had already walked over. He tried to mediate, "Your behavior is now affecting our business. Could you please take this outside? If you haven't finished eating, I'll hold your table for now. If you're done, please leave."
I didn't need to discuss these matters here anyway. I apologized to the manager, grabbed my things, and left.
I walked straight into the ice cream shop across the way, where Jasper was happily eating his ice cream.
Seeing me come over, Clio stood up and asked urgently, "Are you okay? What happened?"
Before I could answer, Tyler had already caught up. "Sophia, come home with me. Whatever it is, we can talk about it at home."
"Daddy," Jasper called out sweetly.
I pulled Tyler aside by the arm, my voice terrifyingly calm. "Jasper is right here. I don't want the child mixed up in adult matters. I want you to leave now, and take them with you - get lost!"
Just then, through the glass window, I saw Ava walking this way. I said with disgust, "If Ava dares to step in here, I'll post everything about her online immediately."
Hearing my words, Tyler turned to look outside. He frowned and could only say to me, "I'll explain everything when we get home."
With that, he turned and walked out of the ice cream shop, stopping Ava from coming in.
I saw Isla also come out of the BBQ restaurant. From almost two hundred feet away, she glared at me, then said something to the three of them. After that, they took the escalator and left.
What was supposed to be a relaxing BBQ had turned into this. My fingers trembled slightly as I tried to suppress my inner breakdown, but I couldn't hide the traces of pain.
I desperately tried to control my breathing, but the pain in my heart was like a sharp knife, mercilessly cutting through my heart.
Clio came over and hugged me with concern. "That bastard, and Tyler's mother is just too much - they're not even human. Don't be scared, I'm here."
Because Jasper was still there, I held back from crying out loud and tried to stay calm.
"I'm fine. Today's events only make me more determined to get divorced."
"Right, I absolutely support you now! Not only divorce, but you must get custody of Jasper and the assets! Ask for as much as you can!"
-
Clio drove us home. On the way, Jasper curled up in my arms, fast asleep. Neither of us spoke, and the atmosphere in the car was silent and heavy.
I looked out at the night scenery passing by like a carousel, the pain in my heart like a coiled snake, seeping into every inch of my skin.
The car drove all the way to the villa. I got out carrying Jasper. Clio said with concern, "I know a private investigator, pretty reliable. If you need one, let me know. Whether or not it can be used in court, it's better to have the information anyway."
I nodded. "Sorry about today. We finally made plans to eat together and it didn't go well. I'll treat you again in a few days."
"Come on, we're friends - don't be so formal. But will you and Tyler fight when you get back? What if he teams up with his mom to bully you?"
I knew that wouldn't happen. Although Tyler had cheated, he wouldn't go so far as to team up with Isla to do anything to me.
So I sighed. "Don't worry, he won't."
"Should I stay at your place tonight?" Clio was still worried.
"It's not very convenient - his parents are staying here temporarily. It's fine, don't worry. I'll text you tonight."
Clio had no choice. After reminding me a few more times, she left.
I took a deep breath and walked into the villa carrying Jasper.
After taking off my shoes at the entrance, I walked into the living room. Tyler was indeed sitting in the living room. I had guessed he would wait for me - every time I discovered something, he would try to calm me down.
Seeing me return, he stood up and walked toward me. My tone was cold. "Don't bring up tonight's events. Jasper is asleep."
Just then, the maid walked over. She looked at me carefully, then at Tyler, seeming to already know that something had happened between us again.
So she said softly, "Mrs. Thompson, let me carry Jasper upstairs to rest."
I handed the child to the maid. Only after watching them go upstairs and disappear from my view did I look at Tyler, my eyes cold to the extreme.
"Say whatever you need to say. When you're done, I need to rest."
Tyler's tone was measured. "About tonight, I didn't lie to you. We ran into Ava by chance."
"You don't need to explain. I won't believe anything. Your parents liking Ava is their freedom, and I have no right to interfere. But my bottom line is Jasper. I absolutely will not allow my child to be influenced by your mother into calling someone else mom!"
Just thinking about tonight's events made me shake with anger.
"This was my mom's fault. I talked to her tonight, and she'll apologize to you."
I pulled at the corner of my mouth. "An apology? Not needed."
"I saw a magazine on your desk with the latest sports car model. I'll have Hayden order it for you tomorrow. A gift for you."
I did like that car, which is why I'd been looking at it recently, but that was just to motivate myself to work hard on my career and rely on myself to get it in the future.
So I refused without hesitation. "Not needed."
"Sophia, stop making a fuss. Tonight was my fault, and my parents realize they were wrong too."
"I don't think so. Your parents won't think they were wrong. Even though I've stayed home all these years without being in society, that doesn't mean I've become stupid."
Tyler's brows furrowed slightly. "Sophia, I can promise you tonight won't happen a second time."
A trace of barely noticeable disgust flashed in my eyes. "Didn't I tell you before that I didn't want Ava around Jasper anymore? You agreed back then, and then what?"
"I told you it was a chance encounter."
I exposed him mercilessly. "So what if it was a chance encounter? Wasn't the decision still yours?"