Chapter 12

Sam and Melissa looked displeased. The fact that their great-grandchildren wouldn't take the Edwards name was embarrassing.

"Rebecca, are you still upset about your sister? I promise you, Theodore will never get involved with Janet again. If they dare to continue anything, I swear they'll face the consequences!" Melissa's promise was firm.

"Rebecca, you shouldn't change the children's surname without discussing it with us. People will think we're a joke if they find out," Sam added, frowning.

Debra listened to their sarcastic comments and laughed. "A joke? Who would dare to laugh at us? Let them come to me, and I'll shut their mouths!" she mocked.

"Rebecca," Theodore's voice was frosty, "I don't care what you decide before the birth, but once the children are born, they're taking my last name. Period." His tone brooked no argument.

"I'll find someone to change their birth certificates. And since they'll have my surname, I'll take care of all their expenses. You don't need to worry about it," Theodore declared firmly.

Sam and Melissa breathed a sigh of relief. Their grandchildren should carry their surname. Any other name would be a stain on the family's honor.

Since Theodore was willing to intervene, Sam and Melissa were reassured. After all, the Edwards family possessed a vast business empire. Changing the children's surnames would be easy if Theodore wanted it.

"Rebecca, don't worry. We will treat you well in the future," Melissa comforted Rebecca, believing the matter settled.

Rebecca had initially thought Sam and Melissa were kind, but over the past few days, she realized they sided with Theodore. After all, an outsider would never be more important than their grandson.

"Don't even think about it! All the paperwork is done. It can't be changed!" Rebecca snapped, her voice cold. Debra looked at the group mockingly. The Edwards family was one of the top elite families in Maeloria. Without the Carters, Rebecca might not have stood a chance against them. But now, with the Carter family's support, how could they still think they could push her around? That was a pipe dream.

"What?" Melissa exclaimed in disbelief. "You've already completed the children's birth registration?"

"Alright, enough is enough," Debra said dismissively. "Rebecca needs rest. She just gave birth, for crying out loud. Let's not bother her with this nonsense." She ushered them toward the door.

Chapter 12

Suddenly, the sound of a cane hitting the floor echoed through the room!

Everyone was startled, and the room fell instantly silent. They all turned toward the source of the sound—Sam.

Sam, always calm, now looked sternly at Rebecca. He said coldly, "Rebecca, you and Theodore can fight over your personal issues all you want, but you have no say when it comes to the children.

"Tomorrow, you both go to change the children's surname on the birth certificate. End of discussion. Stop being unreasonable!" Sam commanded firmly.

With that, Sam turned and walked away, ending the argument.

Melissa's face was grim. She watched her husband leave and then looked at Rebecca.

Her health had never been good, and now she felt chest pain. It wasn't good…

With trembling hands, she took a pill and swallowed it. Melissa then gave Debra a cold glance and walked over to Rebecca. She gently held Rebecca's hand, like a worried elder consoling a younger one.

"Rebecca, can we talk for a moment, just you and me?" Melissa lowered her voice, pleading.

Theodore gave Rebecca a long, deep look before leaving.

Rebecca, alone and vulnerable, was easy to manipulate. Just as he had forced her to sign the divorce papers, he had ways to make her comply. This defiance was just a show. Melissa didn't leave. Instead, she glanced meaningfully at Debra, wanting her to leave so she could speak to Rebecca alone.

Rebecca pressed her lips together and remained silent.

Over the past few days, she had realized only her mother truly cared about her. None of the Edwards could be trusted.

Melissa waited, but Rebecca didn't yield. The expectant look in her eyes faded into disappointment, ending with a weary sigh.

"Rebecca, you're still so young. There are many things you don't understand yet. When you grow older and wiser, you'll understand what I'm trying to tell you.

"What does it matter if he's with other women? Men like him don't usually settle down young. We've all been there. In a few years, you'll see things differently. You'll realize love isn't everything. As long as you're the one by Theodore's side, in the end, when he gets older and settles down, everything will be yours.

"And don't forget," Melissa added, "the Edwards family fortune and properties will all be yours too."

Chapter 12

"You're on your own now. Your foster parents favor your sister, and you won't get a penny from the Mitchells. As women, we have to look out for ourselves. Don't throw away what you've already got."

With that, Melissa turned to leave. But before she did, she gave Debra a long, hard look. She disliked Debra. It felt like her obedient and sensible Rebecca had been poorly influenced by this woman.

The Edwards had all left, leaving only Rebecca, Debra, and the babies.

Debra snorted. "Who cares about the Edwards family's scraps?" she scoffed, unwrapping a piece of candy and offering it to Rebecca.

Rebecca ate the candy.

"Becky, don't listen to that old woman's nonsense. The Carters are just as good as the Edwards family. One day, all the Carter family's wealth will be yours. Let the Edwards keep their scraps and feed them to the dogs!" Debra said disdainfully.

She continued, clearly angry, "And about her saying that rich guys love to fool around. Heh! That's just crap from someone who doesn't know how to raise a decent son. The Carters are nothing like that. She just lives in misery…"