Chapter 482

Chapter 482

Over the past few years, the company had expanded at an astonishing pace, rising to become one of the most influential entertainment firms in the industry. It had launched more than a dozen breakout stars.

Even Estella, Katelin, Virginia, Seraphina and others—once overshadowed by Amelia, had now carved out powerful reputations in their respective fields.

Amelia even felt that these three peaceful years seemed stolen, so blissfully intoxicating.

"Amelia, over here."

A familiar voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

Sophia, wearing a beige trench coat, stood at the villa entrance waving at her.

Beside her was four-year-old Dustin, completely absorbed in licking his ice cream cone.
Amelia walked over, played with the adorable Dustin for a moment, and entered Sophia's house.

"I knew you'd come." Sophia's tone lacked its usual warmth. She turned and went inside, pouring Amelia a glass of water. "Ryder told Chris about us, right?"

Amelia closed the door, taking in the sharp scent of alcohol lingering in the air. "What happened between you two? Everything seemed fine at dinner last week."

Sophia let out a hollow laugh and sank heavily onto the sofa. "Things have been really off between us lately, for a month or two now."

Amelia sat down beside her and gently took the wine glass from her hand. "Because of what?"

"Who else could it be." Sophia seemed instantly furious, her whole demeanor changing as she spoke. "Shawn's mom has been trying every way possible to harass Dustin since New Year's. She almost took him away once. She's absolutely crazy, a lunatic!"

Amelia frowned, her voice cautious. “But legally, Dustin is Ryder’s child…”

Sophia nodded. "Legally, yes. But you and I both know the truth. Ryder knows it too. Dustin is Shawn's son—there’s no doubt about that. I'm so fed up. It's been years now. Why won’t they just leave me alone? It’s like being stuck with gum you can’t scrape off no matter how hard you try.”

Amelia wrapped an arm around her trembling shoulders, her own chest tightening.
But she also knew that Shawn had been devoted to Seraphina these past few years. The two supported each other and made great progress in their careers. There was no way he knew what his mother had been doing behind the scenes.

"His mother has gotten worse lately,” Sophia continued, her voice shaking. “You have no idea how terrible she is!" Sophia bit her lip slightly. "She's been telling everyone that Dustin is Shawn's child, saying I cheated during my marriage.

Last week she even made a scene at Dustin's school! Who could tolerate that? I can't argue too much with someone like that. If I take her seriously, wouldn't that just prove I'm guilty?"

Amelia gasped. "That's too much!"

“I finally lost it yesterday and went to confront Shawn,” Sophia said, wiping away her tears. "And guess what? That coward just said he would handle it, that he'd control his mom. As for what happens next, I have no idea. Amelia, my mind is a complete mess right now. I don't know what to do."

Amelia's phone suddenly vibrated, showing Sandra's name on the screen. She hesitated for a moment, then answered.

"Amelia." Sandra's voice carried anger. "I just saw a message. Isabel is spreading rumors about Sophia in her social circle, saying she's going to Dustin’s school tomorrow to demand a paternity test."

Over the years, Sandra occasionally came back to see Amelia, and through that got to know Sophia as a casual friend.

Amelia's expression changed instantly. "Is the information reliable?"

"One hundred percent. The second female lead in my new drama is a distant relative of the Jones family. She just tipped me off." Sandra paused. "Do you need my help?"

“No,” Amelia said firmly. “Focus on your work.” She hung up, her mind already racing.
Without hesitation, she called Shawn and arranged to meet him.

That evening, Shawn came to her house.

"I know why you're looking for me,” he said the moment he sat down, rubbing his temples in frustration. “And honestly, I've tried more than once to talk to my mom." Shawn held his head in pain. "But she just won't listen! Ever since Seraphina and I got engaged, she's been obsessed with having a grandchild. I feel like I’m losing my mind."

Amelia raised an eyebrow. "Seraphina doesn't want to have children? Didn't you two already register your marriage a while ago?"

Shawn smiled bitterly. "She's a supermodel. Having a baby means at least two years away from the runway... and..." He hesitated. "She never really liked kids to begin with. She's told me she won't consider having children."

“So your mother turned her attention to Dustin instead.” Amelia sneered. “What a convenient solution. Shawn, that’s disgusting.”

“It’s not me!” Shawn protested weakly.
Shawn's phone suddenly rang. He glanced at it, his expression growing worse. "It's my mom."

"Answer it." Amelia lowered her voice.

Shawn pressed the answer button, and Isabel's shrill voice immediately came through:

"Shawn! Where are you? Come home right now! Seraphina actually told me she never plans to have children! What kind of daughter-in-law is that? I..."

"Mom," Shawn interrupted her. "We'll talk about this when I get back."

"No! We need to talk about this now!" Isabel wouldn't let it go. "Since Seraphina won't have children, then we'll take Dustin back! He's my grandson anyway!"

The domineering voice reached Amelia's ears, leaving her momentarily speechless.

As far as she knew, Isabel had approached Seraphina privately more than once over the years, but had always maintained a certain level of restraint. She didn't expect things to blow up like this.

But this kind of thing still depended on Shawn's choice.

Shawn took a deep breath. "Mom,” he said slowly, “if you keep making scenes like this, I'll move out with Seraphina."

There was silence on the other end for a few seconds, then an even louder outburst: “You dare!” Isabel shrieked. “For a woman who refuses to give you children, you'd abandon your own mother?"

Shawn couldn't take it anymore and hung up. The shrill voice stopped abruptly.

That night, when Shawn returned home, he found Seraphina packing. Her back was to him; clothes neatly folded into a suitcase. It looked like she was preparing for another business trip.

"My mom came by?" Shawn asked, loosening his tie, exhaustion evident in his voice.
Seraphina turned around and looked at him quietly, a hint of helplessness in her eyes. "Shawn, your mother said some really nasty things this time."

Shawn's temples throbbed. "About having children?"

"What else?" Seraphina laughed coldly, tossing a sun protection jacket from the sofa into her suitcase. "She said the doctor told her she might not live more than five years after her stroke, and she wants to hold her grandchild before she dies. She even gave me an ultimatum to have a baby within a year. What am I supposed to say to that?"

Shawn's expression stiffened. He knew better than anyone how strong-willed Seraphina was. She hadn't even wanted to register their marriage. It was only because he'd been good to her these past few years and made her happy that she agreed to register. Otherwise, his mother wouldn't even have the right to question her.

“I told her clearly,” Seraphina continued, spreading her hands, her voice calm but resolute, “my body, my choice. I’m a supermodel. Having a child would impact my career, and I’m not even sure I could give a child the kind of love it deserves.”

"Then she started crying, saying the Jones family would have no heirs, that she'd die with regrets, that I'm selfish and unwilling to suffer. I'm asking, why should I suffer? Why should I make myself suffer? Am I sick?"

She let out a soft, incredulous laugh.