Chapter 230

After Thea vented, the air felt fresher. Max called, "Thea, go home immediately!" Thea's first thought was to hang up. However, Max added, "Don't forget my marriage to Joyce is still valid. If you still want to protect your friend, go home immediately."

Thea couldn't ignore Joyce's situation. Fortunately, she wasn't far from home. After a two-hour drive, she returned to the Rowland family estate. As she entered, a glass flew toward her head, leaving her no time to dodge.

Ivy yelled, "Thea, I've nurtured you for years, and you disappoint me! Who does Stephanie think she is? A lowly celebrity, and you let her take your place? I told you you couldn't keep that position and shouldn't let outsiders steal it! Can't you let your Thea have it? She's already suffered so much!"

Thea thought, If Emmalie's pampered life is suffering, what about mine? Despite her head injury, no one in the Rowland family showed pity.

Emmalie took a deep breath and said vaguely, "Mom, don't blame her. Thea might not want to lose Nicolas either. Didn't we call her back to discuss a solution? If you hurt yourself, it will break my heart."

Ivy was even more distraught. "Thea, if you were half as sensible as Emmalie, I wouldn't worry so much!"

Thea thought, You're probably worried Emmalie can't marry into a wealthy family. Her sarcasm angered Ivy, who demanded, "What kind of expression is that? Am I not qualified to scold you as your mother?"

Thea's expression turned cold. "Mrs. Rowland, watch your words. The Rowland family and I have parted ways. Strictly speaking, you have no right to scold me." Ivy was stunned.

Max stepped in to mediate. "Thea, I don't care how much you resent us, but you can't deny you were once one of us. Your scandal has caused many of the Rowland family's partners to strike, and the Hendrix family is no longer helping us. How will you compensate for our losses?"

Thea wasn't surprised. In the Rowland family's eyes, she should always be at their service. She retorted, "Isn't the family business's decline your fault as the heir? Now you're asking me, someone who's never worked a day for the family business, to solve the problem? How dare you?"

Her mocking tone angered Max. He ordered, "Thea, help us! Use any method necessary to salvage this marriage with Nicolas. I heard Stefan values you. Go to Sunnyend Manor today and say you'll accept his child and raise him as your own! If you refuse, Joyce will definitely marry me."

Max was always good at threatening Thea, leaving her speechless.

Emmalie added, a little reluctantly, "Max, Thea has lost her fertility. Will Nicolas really accept her? I'm a Rowland, too. I want to contribute to the family." Her true intentions were obvious—she wanted to remove Thea completely by taking Nicolas back. This way, her secret would remain safe.

Max pursed his lips. "I'm afraid changing Nicolas's mind won't be easy. After all, she's his official wife" He was more insightful than Ivy and Emmalie, realizing there was a reason Nicolas married Thea. To solve the Rowland family's problems, he needed Thea's help.

The pressure on Thea was immense, but she couldn't refuse because she couldn't let Joyce's life be ruined. She went to Sunnyend Manor, but this time, her mindset was different. Stefan Hendrix was one of the few who had cared for her; she didn't want to scheme against him.

Stefan greeted her warmly. "Thea, welcome. My radio is broken. Can't turn it on." The online drama had likely reached him, but he acted as if nothing was amiss.

Thea felt a lump in her throat and fixed his radio, regaining her composure afterward. She then said, "My brother asked me to tell you that I'll claim Nicolas's son as my own to help the Rowland family."

Stefan's eyes were sharp and insightful. Thea always felt he could see through her, so she chose honesty. He asked, "Then, Thea, what do you think?"

"I can't do it," Thea said bitterly. "I'm only 26. I can't accept this child as my own. I've seen him, and I don't like him." It wasn't just because Oliver resembled Stephanie, but because of his bratty behavior.

Stefan wasn't surprised. "He's my great-grandson. Aren't you afraid I'll be angry you badmouthed him?"

Thea replied, "To be fair, I bet you won't be petty. Besides, my marriage to Nicolas is ending. There's nothing to hide anymore." She felt there would be no future connection between her and Stefan; she'd only come due to Max's coercion.

Stefan chuckled. "There's indeed nothing to hide. It's not just you. I don't really like that child either."

Thea was dumbfounded. Why is this different from the rumors? Didn't they say Stefan adored his great-grandson and would do anything for him?

Stefan said, "I'm old, and I can't understand you young people. But I'm sure of one thing: that child is not the offspring of the Hendrix family."