Chapter 231

Thea felt her heart tremble slightly.

Stefan said with certainty, "Thea, Nicolas has been quiet since he was young. No matter what happens, he'll keep everything to himself. However, I can tell he cares about you, and I'm very satisfied with you as his wife. Something's not right with that boy. I hope you'll talk things out."

Thea's lips curled in bitterness. "Talk about what?" she thought. She had so many questions, but Nicolas never gave her a chance to ask. She was afraid of an unsatisfactory answer.

"Thank you," Thea said sincerely, "But our relationship started shakily. I don't feel I have the right to question him."

"You're his wife! Of course you're qualified to ask him!" Stefan raised a skeptical eyebrow, refusing to release her hand. "Thea, trust me, and trust Nicolas."

Thea was tempted.

Leaving Sunnyend Manor, she replayed Stefan's words in her mind. She didn't even notice a car pull up beside her—Jake's. His face was grim.

Clearly there to see Stefan, he still harbored resentment toward Thea. "How dare you come here?" he demanded. "As my ex-fiancée or my uncle's wife? Because of you, Nicolas took Avon Ventures from me. Satisfied now?"

Nicolas's actions weren't surprising. "He drugged me in the underground garage," she thought. "He should have expected this." However, she hadn't expected Nicolas to go this far for her. His actions were a huge humiliation to Jake and his father.

Taking a step back, Thea met Jake's hateful gaze. "Isn't this your just deserts?" she asked. "If you hadn't tried to harm me, this wouldn't have happened. You can't manage Avon Ventures; retirement's best for you." Thea had worked at Avon Ventures for years and felt deeply for the company. She didn't want to see her past efforts ruined by Jake.

"Thea!" Jake's pent-up anger exploded. He didn't care that he was at Sunnyend Manor, potentially facing Stefan's wrath. He advanced on Thea. "Now everyone knows I'm a coward who used women for power. We only broke our engagement. Will you be satisfied when I'm dead?"

Thea rolled her eyes. She wasn't afraid he'd actually harm her there. "You don't need me to recount what you did the night before our engagement, do you?" she said. "If you hadn't…"

[The following section appears to be a separate, unrelated snippet and is omitted due to its incoherent nature.]

Jake's face was ferocious; his rationality drowned in rage. Thea thought he'd gone mad. She tried repeatedly to shake him off, but couldn't. "Aren't you afraid Stefan will find out and punish you?" she asked.

"You think too highly of yourself," Jake sneered. "Nicolas and Ms. Ralap's wedding date is set. Everyone says they're a perfect match. Grandpa's busy with wedding preparations and doesn't care about you."

Thea thought, Why does Jake always contradict Stefan? Is Stefan deliberately misleading me? She didn't believe Jake.

Thea struggled free. "Jake, I'm not playing games," she said fiercely. "Our relationship ended long ago. Don't make me say it again!" Her fierce tone didn't faze him.

Just as he lunged, someone blocked him. Thea looked back in panic to see a tall figure.

"Jake," Nicolas said, "haven't I taught you enough? You dare offend my woman repeatedly? Do you think your father will protect you forever?"

Jake, as if doused with cold water, stammered, "Uncle… it… it was Thea who seduced me!"

How dare he lie so blatantly? Thea thought.

Her face cold, she was about to speak, but Nicolas's aura was even colder. "You mean my wife ignored me to seduce you—who's inferior to me in every way? How shameless are you, Jake?"

Jake's face paled. He dared not offend Nicolas or enter Sunnyend Manor, and left dejectedly.

Thea sensed malice in Jake's parting glance. He wasn't kind and, since he dared not offend Nicolas, he would likely plot against her. She knew revenge would follow.

"Thea, where are you going? I'll drive you," Nicolas said, striding in front of her, pointedly ignoring the turmoil in her eyes.

"Dad, why are you giving her a ride? She's a bad woman!" Oliver scowled, malice in his eyes. "Dad, are you really going to let her take you away? She even scolded me last time!" He shrank behind Nicolas, his voice trembling.

Thea looked away coldly. What has Stephanie taught this child? she thought. A child his age should know right from wrong! Thea had done nothing to him, yet he called her bad. Stephanie's influence was clear.

Despite this, Nicolas patiently knelt to coax him. "Oliver, she's not bad. She's your future mother. You should respect and love her."

Thea's heart froze. Oliver's cries pierced her ears. "Dad, do you really want her to be my mother? I already have a mother! Will she never let me see my mother again?"