Chapter 309: Chapter 309

Back then, even though everyone was against her being with Ryan Abbott, Ryan still stood by her.

People tend to have a rebellious psychology; the more you try to stop them, the more determined they are to go the other way.

When everyone tried to stop her from being with Ryan, he naturally became more reluctant to let her go. The relationship was made more precious by being clandestine, and the beauty of distance only added to it.

But now, no one stops them anymore, the allure of distance is gone, and there’s no thrill from being secretive.

They live together every day, and the Abbott Family has cut off Ryan’s financial support. Being the spoiled rich kid he was, Ryan lost his life of luxury. Now they rely on themselves for everything, and the smallest friction makes them realize that maybe the other person isn’t as wonderful as they thought.

Thus, the emotional conflicts between them gradually emerged, and their arguments increased. Despite Willa Sherman’s endurance, she could no longer tolerate Ryan’s worsening temper day by day.

Eventually, it got to the point where Ryan started to become physically aggressive.

Willa Sherman kept hoping that Mr. and Mrs. Abbott would take Ryan back quickly, so their love could stop being tested.

But that didn’t happen. Mr. Abbott seemed to have forgotten he had a son named Ryan.

A month passed, then two; Ryan became increasingly destitute, and their relationship reached an irreparable state. Ryan couldn’t take it anymore and finally left Willa on her own to return to the Abbott Family. New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭⚫𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦⚫𝘯𝘦𝘵

But what Ryan never imagined was that the Abbott Family wasn’t a place he could just return to.

Mr. Abbott said he kicked him out; others, even including Mrs. Abbott, assumed Mr. Abbott was just forcing Ryan to give up on Willa Sherman.

Only Mr. Abbott knew he was truly disappointed in his foolish son, Ryan.

Everyone thought Ryan was their only son, but wealthy people often have a few illegitimate children outside, don’t they?

Mr. Abbott also had one, just very well-hidden.

And his illegitimate son was Seth Shaw.

To put it bluntly, both his legitimate and illegitimate sons had bad reputations.

But compared to the rebellious Ryan, the notorious Seth Shaw was apparently much more obedient now.

So, Mr. Abbott brought Seth Shaw back to the Abbott Family while Mrs. Abbott wasn’t prepared, declaring him to be his son.

The reason Mrs. Abbott didn’t go looking for Ryan, as Willa Sherman hoped, was because there was now an illegitimate child in the house.

Once the illegitimate child was brought home, how could his mother stand aside?

So Seth Shaw’s mother also moved in, and Mrs. Abbott was busy dealing with this mother and son duo, completely exhausted, and having no time to care about her son outside.

Thus, when Ryan returned to the Abbott Family, he saw his ailing mother and Seth Shaw acting as if they had taken over the family.

Ryan was dumbfounded; he relied on being the sole heir of the Abbott Family.

But now Mr. Abbott told him that he wasn’t the only son, finally awakening him to his sense of crisis and urgency.

The Abbott Family was now as chaotic as a den of intrigue due to the appearance of an illegitimate child, with new scandals constantly coming to light, providing endless entertainment for the public.

Seth Shaw frequently accompanied Mr. Abbott to high-society events, and once Paige Sterling and Julian Hawthorne attended one where they bumped into him.

Seth Shaw dressed sharply, exuding an air of triumphant disdain, with a kind of arrogance that said, "You didn’t care about me back then, but now you can’t even dream of reaching my level."

Throughout the event, he kept appearing in front of Paige to make sure she noticed how much he had changed.

Even he couldn’t believe that he turned out to be an Abbott son.

Now, he was also an heir to a wealthy family, and certainly on par with Paige Sterling, who must regret having overlooked him in the past.

But to his annoyance, Paige Sterling seemed oblivious to his presence, maintaining a cold and indifferent demeanor even when he approached her.

Seth Shaw sneered, thinking Paige must be feeling awkward inside.

After all, she had been so ruthless to him, and now he had made a comeback without needing to marry into a wealthy family.

He wanted to mock Paige with a few words, but Julian’s intimidating gaze kept him from daring to approach her.

Finally, he got a chance when Paige went to the restroom, and Julian, who was like a Siamese twin, didn’t follow her.

Seth Shaw immediately followed, waiting for Paige outside.

Not long after, Paige came out to wash her hands when suddenly a man lunged at her.

Paige coldly smirked, dodging to the side, and delivered a heavy kick to the man’s rear, causing him to hit his head on the sink, blood running from his forehead, a testament to how fierce her kick was.

Seth Shaw gritted his teeth, "Paige!"

Paige washed her hands, dried them, and looked at Seth Shaw coldly, "What do you want?"

Seth Shaw, clenching his teeth, said, "Old friends meeting up, and you ignore me, so I had to talk to you privately. Didn’t expect you’d still be so aggressive."

Paige suddenly chuckled; it had been a while since she last dealt with an ex, and her hands were getting itchy.

To Seth Shaw, her smile had a different implication.

He wiped the blood off his face with a tissue and regained his smug demeanor.

"Paige, are you regretting it now?"

"Regretting not seizing me when you had the chance, regretting being so ruthless, regretting that you were blind back then..."

Paige snorted derisively; some people just couldn’t recognize their own worth.

"I know you’re regretting it. I’m giving you a chance now. If you’re willing to dump Julian Hawthorne and be with me, I can overlook the past..."

Was becoming a part of the Abbott Family really something to brag about?

Paige twitched her lips, beckoning to Seth Shaw.

Thinking Paige had compromised, Seth Shaw happily approached, "I knew you still had feelings for me. Don’t worry, as long as you listen to me, I won’t let you down..."

But Paige ferociously kicked him again, catching him off guard, making him bend over in pain.

Paige coolly said, "A few days without a beating, and you’ve forgotten your place?"

Seth Shaw painfully said, "Paige, how dare you..."

Paige’s eyes were sharp, "Why wouldn’t I dare? Even your father treats me with courtesy. Who do you think you are? Who told you that being an illegitimate son of the Abbott Family gives you the right to flaunt in front of me?"

With that, Paige turned to leave, but Seth Shaw tried to grab her, "Paige, come back!"

He didn’t manage to catch her, but Paige still turned back to look at him with cold eyes.

"Seth Shaw, try coming near me again and see what happens."

Seth Shaw originally thought that since he was now an Abbott heir, Paige Sterling would regret her past actions and show remorse before him.

Yet, Paige continued to act superior, as if he was beneath her notice.

In her eyes, he seemed to be a worthless speck, an unbearable feeling gnawing at him.

"Paige, stop acting all high and mighty. You think I don’t know what you’re really thinking? You’re only with Julian Hawthorne because of his family background. But I’m no lesser than Julian now, why not consider me? If you’re afraid he’ll find out, I can be discreet. I’m willing to be the man behind you..."

His disgusting demeanor sickened Paige to the core.