Chapter 9 Genius Little Boy
Scarlett gazed at the adorable Hayden, her thoughts drifting to the son she had lost, a flicker of sadness crossing her eyes.
Years ago, she had given birth to twins, but after a prolonged labor, the boy had emerged without breath, leaving her with only Yara.
"Hayden, your family's here to pick you up," called the kindergarten teacher.
Scarlett pushed aside her thoughts and smiled. "Time to go home!"
Hayden didn't leave immediately. He waved goodbye to Yara first, then glanced back at Scarlett with unmistakable reluctance.
Scarlett watched with a smile as Hayden left with an older gentleman, then took Yara's small hand and walked toward her car.
On the drive home, Yara recounted in her sweet childlike voice which classmate was a bully, which one was timid, and which ones she liked playing with. Scarlett was still dwelling on thoughts of her deceased son until she heard Yara say,
"Mom, Hayden is smart like me. He can remember books after reading them once and numbers after hearing them once. The other kids can't do that."
This caught Scarlett's attention, pulling her from her melancholy. She had always considered Yara's abilities exceptional, and now there was another gifted child.
"Is your classmate new?" She asked, not recalling seeing Hayden before.
Yara nodded from the backseat. "Yes, he just transferred."
"He doesn't talk and doesn't like playing with the other kids, but he likes being with me."
Such a disability would be challenging for adults, let alone a child.
Scarlett's heart ached for him.
Hearing about Hayden's situation, Scarlett no longer dwelled on her sadness. She still had Yara, healthy and by her side—nothing was more important than that.
Back at Briar's house in Scenic Lake Community, Scarlett was preparing dinner when Wesley's father, Zane Ross, called. Standing on the balcony, she held the phone to her ear.
"Scarlett, why did you suddenly move out?" Zane's low voice questioned.
"Dad, I've been planning to move out for a while. It wasn't sudden," she replied flatly, her eyes darkening as she gazed into the distance.
She had stayed at Briar's that night and returned to the Ross Villa the next afternoon to collect her things. Only Opal had been home; Zane wasn't there. Now he was calling to persuade her to return, wasn't he?
"Look, I know Wesley's mistress is pregnant, but you haven't conceived in four years. You probably damaged yourself during childbirth. Wesley just wants a son, but he never intended to divorce you. Once that woman gives birth to a boy, we'll bring him home for you to raise. Your position as his legitimate wife won't change—I guarantee that."
Scarlett had always thought Zane was the most reasonable person in the Ross family. Hearing this, she realized they truly were cut from the same cloth—the Ross family's thinking was consistently shocking.
Her heart turned cold. "I don't need whatever 'legitimate wife' position you're offering, and I won't agree to your plan."
"Why can't you be reasonable?" Zane scolded harshly.
Scarlett stared at the sunset clouds burning the horizon, as red as blood, matching the anger flaring in her heart.
She gripped her phone tighter, her tone icy. "I'm getting a divorce. The Ross family can find whoever they want to bear their sons."
It was time to lay her cards on the table.
"If you actually go through with this divorce, there's no coming back," he warned.
Scarlett understood the implication in Zane's words—if she insisted, they would agree to the divorce.
"Then please convince Wesley to sign the divorce papers promptly."
"Scarlett, I'm telling you, Wesley has plenty of potential wives. Look at your background—without Wesley, you'd be on the streets. You can't give him a son, and you're always so cold. The Ross family truly hit rock bottom when we took you in."
Opal's insults carried through the phone, but Scarlett remained composed. She had heard such words countless times before. Previously, her feelings for Wesley had made her endure them.
Now, she couldn't stand it for another moment.
"Perfect. Convince Wesley to sign the papers and process the divorce. If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up."
Without waiting for a response, Scarlett ended the call.
Standing on the balcony, the crimson sky enveloped her as her hands gripped the railing tightly.
The Ross family—she had given them her heart but received not a shred of genuine affection in return. She had been utterly foolish.
After being hung up on, Zane immediately called Wesley about the divorce.
Wesley, seemingly unable to talk freely, only said, "Dad, we'll discuss this later," before hanging up.
Opal, however, was delighted. "A woman who can't produce a son should have been discarded long ago."
The subject of producing a son troubled Zane deeply. Scarlett had only given them a granddaughter, and he couldn't let the Ross family's ritual offerings end with their generation.
Regardless of whether this divorce went through, they could now prioritize having another grandson.
The next day, Wesley didn't come to the office at all. Before the end of the workday, Scarlett called several times, but no one answered.
He was avoiding her—avoiding signing the divorce papers.
On the third day, Scarlett's supervisor Bianca gave her an important bid design that needed to be completed within two days.
This design bid was crucial for the company, and no one else could handle it. Wesley had specifically requested Scarlett take charge.
Scarlett looked at Bianca and said, "Have Mr. Ross tell me himself."
Bianca wanted to get angry but couldn't. She went to find Wesley, who subsequently called Scarlett. He completely avoided mentioning the divorce papers and simply ordered her to complete the task.
Scarlett stood firm. "Sign the divorce papers, and I'll definitely take on this project. If you don't sign, I won't do it."
"Fine. You want forty percent of the company's shares? Then I want your daughter. No one knows she isn't my biological child. My current financial situation is better than yours, making me more suitable to raise her—unless you publicly reveal she isn't mine."
Scarlett gripped her phone tightly. How cruel of Wesley to use Yara to force her hand!
If they went to court, with his financial resources, she might not win—unless she revealed Yara wasn't his child.
But that would hurt Yara.
"Think about it carefully," Wesley said before hanging up.
Scarlett clutched her phone desperately. No, there had to be another way.
Just then, her phone rang. Seeing the number, she frowned—it was Ambrose.
Why was he calling suddenly? Was he seeking retribution for what had happened?
The phone kept ringing, and she answered.
"Hello, this is Scarlett."
"Noon. Come to the Four Seasons Hotel." Concise, direct, purposeful.
Ambrose was clearly settling scores, and quickly at that. There was no escaping it, so she agreed.
"I'll be there on time."
After hanging up, Scarlett contemplated how to handle the situation. Since that night, she had been researching Ambrose and concluded that those who crossed him ended up either dead or severely injured.
She had offended him twice—what fate awaited her?
Her mind was in chaos.
At noon, Scarlett arrived punctually at the Four Seasons Hotel. Ambrose wasn't there yet, and a staff member escorted her to the presidential suite from that night.
She didn't wait long before Ambrose appeared.
The moment he entered, Scarlett felt the air grow heavy with his intimidating presence. Nervously, she twisted her hands together.
"Have you decided what to do?" Ambrose approached, his gaze dark.
Forcing herself to remain composed, Scarlett met his eyes. "Mr. Boleyn, perhaps we should terminate this contract?"
Ambrose looked down at her. They weren't standing close, yet even at this distance, Scarlett felt immense pressure as Ambrose's gaze grew increasingly intense.
"Are you certain about this?"