Chapter 167

Stacey’s star burned bright. Her posts ignited a flurry of likes and comments; even Becky’s family and friends, Theodore and Jenny included, showered her with well wishes. They sensed her happiness, oblivious to the past.

Theodore, however, felt a gnawing misery. Stacey’s happiness… a new life… without me? he thought. Rebecca’s love had been so real.

A knock shattered his reverie. Jude burst in, his words sharp: “Mr. Edwards, Wyatt’s been found!”

The pen in Theodore’s hand stilled. He shot up, his face darkening. “Where?” he demanded, the words tight. If only I hadn’t trusted Wyatt…

“Brighton City,” Jude replied.

“Cancel everything,” Theodore snapped. “Get me a ticket. Now.”

Jude efficiently booked the earliest flight—an hour away. Theodore used the time to clear his desk, then they raced to the airport. Two hours later, they landed in Brighton.

“Where is he?” Theodore pressed, impatience radiating from him.

“Prosperous Studio, Brighton’s New District,” Jude said. “He opened a game studio.”

“Let’s go.”

They hailed a cab. At the studio, Jude knocked. A bewildered employee answered.

“Who are you looking for?”

Jude smiled. “Mr. Shatner. Our boss wants to see him.”

“He’s inside.”

The studio was small, bustling with seven or eight employees, all working in the open space. Wyatt, engrossed in his work, looked up, startled, as Theodore approached. His face paled.

“Mr. Shatner, you have a visitor,” the employee said, stepping back as Theodore, his face grim, punched Wyatt hard.

“Hey!” the employee yelled.

Wyatt didn’t retaliate, absorbing the blows silently. The commotion drew everyone’s attention. Someone lunged to pull Theodore away.

“Stay out of this!” Wyatt roared, shoving his employees aside, his voice raw with anger and pain.

The employees watched, stunned. Theodore, consumed by rage, continued his assault, his fists raining down. He even grabbed a chair, aiming to swing it.

Wyatt’s assistant, Emily Young, intervened, wrenching the chair away. “Stop! Will you take responsibility if you kill him?!” she screamed, her voice fierce, shielding Wyatt.

Silence descended. Wyatt, staring at Emily, quickly pulled her behind him. “This isn’t your problem. Stay out of it!” He was panicked, terrified for her safety. Theodore, ignoring her, kicked Wyatt.

“Enough!” Emily yelled again.

Wyatt took a deep breath. “Let’s talk outside,” he said.

Theodore, his anger still simmering, agreed. They left, Emily staying behind, worried but obedient.

Across the street, in a cafe’s private room, a heavy silence settled before Wyatt spoke. “I didn’t mean to betray you, but… Janet set my sister up. She was in love, gave that guy everything—her allowance, even loans. Janet had her nudes and blackmailed me.”

Theodore glared. Wyatt gave a bitter smile. “I warned you to trust Rebecca, but you never listened.”

Theodore was silent for a long time. Finally, he asked, his voice barely a whisper, “Did you have someone call my grandma the first time we filed for divorce?”

Wyatt nodded slowly. “Yes.”

“You son of a…” Theodore began, the curse dying in his throat. “Rebecca… she doesn’t want me anymore. I’ve tried, but she refuses to see me. It’s not just games, Wyatt. She’s really gone.” His eyes were red-rimmed, his voice choked with pain.

Wyatt was stunned, not by the divorce, but by Theodore’s raw emotion. Does he really… love her? he wondered.