Chapter 90 Heartache
Owen knew Scarlett better than anyone—she wasn't the type to cry easily. For her to break down like this, something serious must have happened.
Seeing there was no point hiding it anymore, Scarlett dropped her gaze. "Dad, I got divorced."
Owen's hand froze mid-pour, his expression hardening. "Divorced? Why so suddenly? What did Wesley do?"
Scarlett buried her face in her hands. "Dad, I was wrong. I should have listened to you back then."
Owen immediately set down the water pitcher, his face grim. "Tell me. What did he do to you?"
He knew how deeply Scarlett had loved Wesley. For her to suddenly ask for a divorce—and to admit she'd been wrong—Wesley must have done something unforgivable.
Scarlett lifted her head and met her father's eyes. Then, piece by piece, she told him everything Wesley had done.
Owen hadn't known the full extent of it. When Scarlett finished, rage flashed across his face, and he hurled his glass against the wall.
"He dared treat you like that? That bastard." Owen shot to his feet, pacing furiously across the small visiting room.
Owen was usually composed, rarely losing his temper. Seeing him this angry showed just how furious he was.
"Dad, I misjudged him. But don't worry—I'm not going to let him walk all over me." Scarlett's voice turned steely.
"He thinks he can blackmail me with Yara's background. I'm not afraid."
Owen stopped dead in his tracks. His eyes reddened. His precious daughter, treated like this—he raised a hand to cover his face.
A man in his fifties, crying in front of his daughter.
Tears streamed down Scarlett's cheeks too. If only she'd listened to him, Owen wouldn't have to cry over her at his age. She stood and walked to him. "Dad, I've hired the best lawyer in Silverlight City. I'll make this right."
Owen wiped at his face roughly. "I just hate seeing you hurt."
"I'm fine. Really." Scarlett forced a smile that didn't reach her eyes. Owen didn't call her out on it, just sank into a nearby chair.
"Dad, let me show you Yara."
She pulled out her phone, opening a video she'd recorded the night before, and handed it to him. Right now, only Yara could ease the ache in his heart.
"Yara knew I was coming to see you today. She threw a fit, wanting to come along. When I said no, I recorded some videos for you."
Owen took the phone. Yara's little face filled the screen, and she called out sweetly to the camera.
"Grandpa! It's me, Yara! Mommy said she's visiting you tomorrow, but I can't come. I'm really sad about it. I wanted to play chess with you, but I guess it'll have to wait. Grandpa, you have to take care of yourself, okay? Mommy and I are waiting at home for you. Make sure you eat all your meals and stay super healthy! Miss you!"
Her animated chatter made Owen's expression soften, his eyes full of adoration.
"Yara's grown so much. She looks exactly like you did at that age. Looking at her is like looking at you."
While Owen watched the video, Scarlett knelt down to pick up the shattered glass, talking as she worked.
"She's smarter than I ever was. Photographic memory, perfect recall—I never had that ability."
When it came to Yara's talents, pride filled Scarlett's voice.
"You were smart enough to skip grades in school. If Yara has an eidetic memory on top of that, how brilliant must she be!" Owen murmured, his heart full as he watched his granddaughter on the screen.
Scarlett finished cleaning up the broken glass and tossed it in the trash, then grabbed a fresh cup and returned to the table.
She picked up the water pitcher and poured Owen a glass, sliding it toward him. "Dad, have some water."
Owen reluctantly set down the phone and picked up the cup, though his mood remained heavy.
"Dad, there's actually something really important I need to ask you." Scarlett folded her hands on the table, her expression serious.
Owen looked at her questioningly, and she asked, "Do you know who collected the evidence that got you convicted?"
Owen instantly became alert, his face solemn. "Has someone contacted you?"
"Ulysses from the Mitchell family. He said the Mitchells were the ones who submitted the evidence. Is that true?"
Owen nodded. "It was the Mitchells. But why would they bring this up with you?"
Scarlett hesitated for a few seconds before speaking. "Ulysses said he has evidence that could clear your name."
Owen set down his cup and held up a hand, his tone urgent. "Scarlett, stay out of my case. You can't get involved. Whatever the Mitchells tell you, don't believe them. Don't have any contact with them whatsoever."
Scarlett paused before continuing. "Someone from the Mitchell family is being appointed to Silverlight City's next leadership position. Right now, they're rallying your former subordinates. They even brought Tatum and her daughter back."
Owen's expression didn't change, still refusing to budge. "No one will acknowledge them. You don't need to worry about that." He paused, concern creeping into his voice.
"My main worry is you. If they've set their sights on you, they'll try other tactics. I need to think of something."
Scarlett could see her father's worry and quickly said, "Dad, do you know anyone from the Boleyn family?"
Owen frowned. "The Silverlight City Boleyns?"
Scarlett nodded. "The current head of the Boleyn family is Ambrose Boleyn. He said the Boleyns and the Mellons have some connection."
"Ambrose? Quentin Boleyn's son?" Owen asked.
Scarlett nodded, and Owen confirmed, "I know Quentin. Have they contacted you?"
Scarlett hadn't wanted to mention Ambrose to Owen, but seeing how worried he was, she decided to bring him up to ease his concerns.
"I met Ambrose by chance. He asked me to design a building project for him. I'm working at his company now, but he's also been helping me deal with the Mitchells' harassment."
Owen nodded. "I did Quentin a small favor once. He said his son would repay that debt. I didn't expect it to come at a time like this."
"Scarlett, if you need anything in the future, you can go to Ambrose." Owen's tone was definitive.
Scarlett nodded. She'd always been reluctant to reach out to these people, afraid of troubling them.
Owen wasn't finished with his warnings. "From now on, no matter what anyone tells you, don't believe them. No one can do anything about my case. Just protect yourself."
Scarlett's heart ached. She wanted Owen to be released so they could be together again, but now it seemed completely impossible.
"One more thing—the Boleyn family is complicated. Besides Quentin and his son, don't interact with any other Boleyns." Owen's voice was firm.
Scarlett nodded, but suspicion stirred in her mind. Why did Owen trust Ambrose so much? He knew Quentin, but he'd never met Ambrose, had he?
"Dad, have you met Ambrose before?"