Chapter 3

Pamela's voice cut through the air, furious. "Don't look at Cynthia! Someone took pictures of you two at the airport, and they're all over the news. Do you even realize you're married? How can you treat Cynthia like this? She's far superior to that witch in looks, talent, and personality!"

Filip felt exasperated. "Mom, please, Lilian is not a witch!"

Pamela's anger flared. "Still defending her? Have you lost your mind? I can't deal with you, but your grandfather will. Get to the study. He's waiting."

With a grim expression, Filip stormed off.

Pamela clutched her chest, frustrated. "What a troublemaker! How did I end up with such a son?"

Cynthia tried to comfort her. "Don't be upset, Pamela. Take care of yourself."

Pamela suspected Cynthia was pretending, and her heart ached. "Don't worry. Even if we disown Filip, we'll always stand by you."

"I'm fine," Cynthia said, wrapping her arms around Pamela, feeling grateful. Since Shirley's return, Selena Jones had been distant towards Cynthia, while Pamela had been a true mother figure. When Cynthia had attempted self-harm, Pamela had cried for days and stayed by her side in the hospital for a week. Selena hadn't even visited.

Three years had passed, and Cynthia's obsession with Filip had faded. Her anger at Lilian was gone, replaced by a hint of sadness. This was why she wanted a divorce. But she didn't want to leave the Yates family; where else could she go?

After talking with Pamela, Cynthia headed upstairs. Passing the study, she heard Matthew's stern voice and slowed to listen.

"If you want to divorce Cynthia, I'll transfer twenty percent of the company's shares to her. If you marry that woman, you'll resign from Yates Construction, and the family will give you nothing," Matthew warned.

Filip's voice was equally angry. "Grandpa, how can you be so biased? Cynthia isn't the real daughter of the Jones family, and I'm your grandson! The Jones family doesn't even want her. Why do you care so much about her?"

Matthew's disappointment was evident. "I don't care who Cynthia is. I held her when she was born. I watched her grow up. The Jones family has grudges against her, but that's none of our concern. Past grievances shouldn't harm her; she's always been a victim. You don't pity her and even join others in degrading her? Unacceptable!"

Filip tried to retort, but Matthew cut him off. "You can give up being Cynthia's husband, but you'll also give up your place as heir. If you're okay with that, go ahead. I won't stop you."

Cynthia listened a while longer before returning to her room. The Yates family had treated her well, especially since the problems with the Jones family began—they'd forced Filip to marry her for her protection.

Half an hour later, Filip returned to find Cynthia at the vanity, calmly removing her makeup. Her lovely face, free of makeup, glowed with natural beauty.

"Cynthia, what magic did you work on Grandpa? He treats you better than me, his own grandson!" he sneered, trying to hide his annoyance.

Cynthia began applying a face mask, her movements graceful. "Maybe he thinks I'm more reliable. For a woman, you haven't spoken to your family in three years. That's pretty unfilial."

Filip glared, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "So you played the victim to win their favor? You got Grandpa to threaten me about my shares? What a desperate move to keep me."

Cynthia faced him, calm. "Don't put words in my mouth. I didn't do anything like that."

Filip scoffed. "Isn't that your classic move? Threatening self-harm, now it's company shares. I never realized how cunning you are. It must run in your blood—murderous genes and all."

His words struck a nerve. Cynthia's expression turned icy. "So you're coming to me for comfort after Grandpa shut you down? If you cared about Lilian, you'd give up everything for her. Deep down, you know the family fortune means more to you than Lilian.

Grandpa Matthew knows everything about what Lilian did. Even if I wasn't around, he'd never accept her. You know this. The real obstacle has never been me. If you truly loved her, you'd leave it all behind and run off with her. But let's be honest—you can't give up your fancy lifestyle and money. You won't admit your own interests are worth more than Lilian, so you blame me! You're a coward, Filip!"

Her words hit hard. Filip's face shifted through humiliation and rage. He hated her disdain—she'd always seen herself as superior.

Lucas, the butler, knocked, breaking the tension. "Mr. and Mrs. Yates, dinner is ready."

That night, the Yates family was together. Even Yasmine, Filip's younger sister, was home.

"You're finally back, Filip. I thought you'd keep Cynthia waiting forever," Yasmine teased, siding with Cynthia.

Filip's icy glare deepened.

"But seriously, are you leaving again?" Yasmine asked innocently.

Before Filip could answer, Henry jumped in. "If he leaves, the Yates family will disown him. You and Cynthia will split the family fortune."

Yasmine clapped. "Did you hear that, Cynthia? Once Filip leaves, we'll be so rich! We can hire male models!"

Filip glared. "You're too young for those ideas. Where did you learn that nonsense?"

His gaze fell on Cynthia; she felt a pang of guilt—she'd already done something similar.

Matthew interrupted. "Filip isn't leaving. He'll be general manager tomorrow."

"What a bummer!" Yasmine said, disappointed.

Matthew continued, "You all know the company's situation. Times have changed, and our construction business isn't what it used to be."

Silence fell. The Yates family had built its fortune in construction, becoming one of the largest companies in the country. They'd branched out, but construction remained their core business. With economic changes, market saturation, environmental regulations, and the rise of smart buildings, they'd been struggling.

"We must secure the Paradise Resort project," Matthew said. "This will help us recover and strengthen our government connections. Success will attract more projects."

The Paradise Resort project was a government-approved (The passage cuts off here)