Chapter 82

Debra and Patrick exchanged a discreet glance, then smiled at Charlie and Rebecca. "We've moved to Macloria," Debra explained, smiling, "so Bryce wanted to live with us. He applied for a transfer and was transferred to Macloria."

Charlie snorted. "It's because Becky's here that he deliberately transferred, isn't it? Hmph, I know him too well!"

Patrick pretended to scold Charlie. "Chuck, don't be so harsh. Bryce also wants to take better care of Becky."

Charlie kept grunting, almost blowing air out through his nose.

"Okay, you've played with Becky all day and took a long flight. You must be tired. Let's eat dinner, then hurry and shower to rest!" Debra urged, smiling.

Charlie took Rebecca to dinner, encouraged her to shower and go to bed, saying, "Early to bed and early to rise is good for health." He didn't dare delay; he had an early morning flight back to the set to continue filming. The movie wasn't finished, and he had to return to shoot.

Janet had bought gems in Alagua City for Cynthia's birthday present. Returning home, she noticed Theodore's grandparents no longer visited.

At first, Janet didn't notice anything amiss. After Cynthia's birthday passed, Sam and Melissa stopped visiting and calling. They used to be very concerned about Arthur, visiting almost daily to check on him and urging her to give Theodore custody. They even wanted to raise Arthur themselves, but she refused. She knew Arthur was her biggest bargaining chip for marrying Theodore. Sam and Melissa only wanted Arthur; surrendering him would eliminate her negotiating power. So, despite their attempts, she didn't give in. Instead, she used their concern for Arthur to remind them that only by marrying Theodore could he obtain custody.

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Everything went smoothly. Each time Sam and Melissa visited, she catered to them. After several months, they were touched. Their attitude towards her became much kinder during their visits.

Janet believed that persistence would change their minds. Persuading them to agree to her marriage with Theodore was just a matter of time.

However, she recently had a bad feeling. It had been three days since Sam and Melissa visited Arthur, and they hadn't even video called. Initially, she didn't worry, but after two more days of silence, she felt uneasy. A bizarre thought occurred: "Could Sam and Melissa have secretly transferred Arthur's custody while I was away?" This seemed possible, especially since they were part of the Edwards family.

She immediately called the nanny, Mary, and began questioning her. Mary's evasiveness and unnatural behavior indicated she was lying. Janet, an experienced actress, recognized this. She questioned Mary further.

After an hour of interrogation, Mary confessed. Knowing she'd lose her job, and fueled by months of criticism and bullying from Janet, her pent-up anger erupted. "Why are you feeling so good? You don't even know who your child's father is. What a shameless bitch!! Give me this month's salary. I'm not doing this job anymore!" she demanded imperiously. She'd cared for many children, but never one for a mistress. She wouldn't mention this to anyone; it was inauspicious.

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Janet, already furious, exploded at Mary's outburst. "Mary, watch your language! Is this how your company trains you to talk to your employer?"

Mary folded her arms. "None of your business! Give me my salary, or I'll post online that you were hooking up with Theodore, forcing your sister Rebecca to divorce him. I want all the fans to see what a despicable bitch their favorite actress is! Oh, and that precious baby isn't Theodore's! I'm curious how many men you've slept with that you don't even know whose child you have. And you want to use this bastard to force your sister Rebecca to divorce Theodore? Disgusting!"

Janet, trembling with fury, slapped Mary.

Mary, a strong country woman, retaliated, gripping Janet's arm tightly. Janet screamed in pain. Mary coldly pushed Janet away, wiped her hands, and began to extort her. "Give me four hundred thousand, or I'll post online the paternity test photos proving Arthur isn't Theodore's child. I want the whole country to see what a despicable person Best Actress Janet is!"

Janet was stunned. "You're extorting me? I'm going to call the police!"

Mary sneered. "Do you dare? If you dare to call the police, I dare to upload your affair with Theodore, forcing Rebecca to divorce Theodore, and the fact that Arthur isn't Theodore's child to the internet!"

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