Chapter 147
Naomi knew she didn’t have a leg to stand on, and she was well aware that Mrs. Wood despised her and her mother. The Wood family had a solid reputation, and crossing Mrs. Wood would only end badly for her, so she forced herself to swallow
her anger.
Joseph, however, couldn’t bear to see Naomi suffer even the slightest injustice. His heart ached for her, and for her sake, he stood up to his own mother.
“Mom, this is too much. You always said children shouldn’t pay for their parents’ mistakes. Even if Naomi’s mother hurt Aunt Grace, the blame lies with Aunt Grace, not Naomi.”
Naomi’s lips curved in a grateful smile toward Joseph. She’d known she wouldn’t have to lash out or defend herself; Joseph would never let her be treated this way.
Sometimes, Joseph protected her even more fiercely than Lester did.
But his family simply didn’t measure up to the Quigley, and that was reason enough for her not to choose him.
Mrs. Wood’s face turned red with anger. She raised her hand and slapped Joseph hard across the face, then jabbed a finger at him, her voice quivering with rage. “How dare you! After all the love your aunt has given you since you were little, now you side against us? If she heard the way you’re talking, do you know how much it would break her heart?”
Her children arguing with her was nothing new now that they were grown, but she would never tolerate them defying her for the sake of an outsider. That was unforgivable.
Joseph pressed a hand to his reddened cheek and clenched his jaw, silent. But there was a cold, stormy look in his eyes.
“Please, I’m begging you don’t hit Joseph again. I’ll leave right now.” Naomi had already been planning to go, and Mrs. Wood’s slap gave her the perfect excuse.
But Mrs. Wood was no fool. She saw right through Naomi’s intentions. Today was a rare opportunity, and she had no intention of letting her slip away so easily.
“Stop her.” At Mrs. Wood’s command, the bodyguards waiting outside immediately blocked Naomi’s way.
Naomi’s heart jumped as she balled her fists, nerves prickling under her skin. What on earth did this wretched woman want from her now?
She steadied herself and turned back to face Mrs. Wood. “Is there something else you want from me?”
“When did I ever say you could
leave?” Mrs. Wood strode over, heels
clicking on the floor, and lifted
Naomi’s chin to scrutinize her. Suddenly, she let out a cold, macking laugh. You realtydo look like Olivia-same seductive charm. No wonder my son is so obsessed with you.
Because of you, he’s hurt the woman who should have been his fiancée, over and over. And now look what’s happened-she’s been driven overseas by your antics.” New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on.net
Wendy had even called Mrs. Wood to say goodbye before leaving the country. They’d always been closer and Mrs. Wood had long since thought of Wendy as her future daughter-in-law. Now that Wendy was gone, how could Wood not be furious?
Of course she blamed Naomi. If Naomi hadn’t kept stringing Joseph along, he and Wendy would never have ended things so abruptly.
“That’s not true-Ms. Green choosing to go abroad has nothing to do with me.” Naomi quickly waved her hands, desperate to clear her name.
But only she knew the truth. She’d been dating Lester while still keeping Joseph
on the hook-accepting his gifts, his money, going out to dinner with him, letting things stay just shy of crossing the line.
“Mom, can you stop making a
scene? Wendy went abroad to
further her career. It had nothing to do with anyone else.” When Joseph first found out Wendy was leaving he’d felt a pang of disappointment. But it was done, and he accepted it. The moment Mrs. Wood tried to lay the blame on Naomi, that disappointment vanished, replaced by anger.
“Don’t you get it? Wendy broke up with me for her own future, not because of me -or Naomi.”