Chapter 97

When Reece heard his own mother call him foolish, he suddenly burst into laughter. The laughter grew louder and louder, his eyes turning red.

Ophelia had never seen Reece so unhinged before. She frowned and said, “Reece, are you listening to me? I don’t like Phoebe. Now that you two have broken up, it’s the perfect time to end things once and for all.”

She continued, “Don’t keep thinking about her. Sienna is wonderful, sweet, and kind, exactly the kind of daughter-in-law I’ve always wanted. Listen to me, Reece. Go after Sienna and marry her.”

With a look of motherly concern, she added, “I’m only doing what’s best for you.”

Reece stood up, laughing bitterly. “It’s because I listened to you too much before that I lost the girl I actually cared about.”

“I treated Sienna kindly, looking after her just like you wanted,” he said. “You didn’t like Phoebe, so I held back and didn’t bring her around you, avoided going out with her in public as much as possible. What more do you want!”

He kicked a boule on the floor, sending it flying. “You’ve ruined my relationship, and now you’re trying to force me to marry a woman I don’t even like. I’m your son, not a dog that’s just here to follow orders.”

He spoke with anguish etched on his face. “I did whatever you wanted me to do. But breaking things off with Phoebe? That’s the one thing I can’t do.”

Just thinking about the girl he’d protected and cherished all these years finally deciding to leave him twisted his heart with pain. Everything he did for Sienna—backing Leon in taking Phoebe’s spot on the show, even agreeing to that public relationship stunt—had a deeper motivation than just obeying his mother. Reece had a hidden motive. He wanted Phoebe to quit the industry and come back to him, to devote her attention solely to him.

Reece hated seeing others admire Phoebe, who was radiant and irreplaceable, and he despised watching her act romantic scenes with other men. He wanted her all to himself, to keep her by his side.

If Leon and the others pressured her into leaving the industry, Reece could take the opportunity to suggest they marry in secret. He’d even told Phoebe he wanted her to leave the entertainment circle, but she refused without hesitation. So, he’d purposefully distanced himself, treating her coldly.

Reece wanted Phoebe to realize that being in the same industry was keeping them apart, hoping she’d eventually see that he mattered more. But before his plan could work, everything fell apart. Because of Sienna, Phoebe had resolutely broken up with him, severing all ties.

This time, Reece could feel it. She wasn’t playing hard to get. She genuinely didn’t want him anymore. Unable to face that reality, Reece was already in enough agony. Now his mother had to come and pour salt on his wounds. If she hadn’t insisted he look after Sienna, he’d never have spent so much time with her.

Ophelia’s eyes widened, stunned. “Are you blaming me?”

Her eyes reddened instantly. “For Phoebe, you’re actually raising your voice at me? Reece, I’m your mother. Doesn’t that mean more than that bitch?”

Ophelia glared at Reece, deeply hurt. “Today, you’re going to choose between me and Phoebe.”

In her heart, Ophelia couldn’t accept, or even believe, that Reece valued that irritating girl, Phoebe, more than his own mother.

Reece had stopped laughing, his face weary. “Mom, please stop making a scene. I’m begging you.”

Fuming, Ophelia clutched her chest. “Stop making a scene! Just tell me one thing. It’s either me or her. Choose one!”

Reece’s exhaustion deepened, and he felt on the edge of breaking down. “Stop pushing me. Just stop, please.”

Ophelia spoke with a hurt expression. “How is this pushing you? I’m only asking you to make a choice.”

Reece suddenly turned the question back on her. “Then who would you choose, me or Soren?”

Ophelia faltered, wanting to say that he couldn’t be compared to Soren. But she knew better than to voice it, not wanting to drive a wedge between herself and Reece.

So she replied, “You and Soren are both important to me. I couldn’t give up either of you.”

Reece returned her words right back. “Well, Phoebe and you are both important to me, and I can’t give up either of you.”

Ophelia’s face twisted in anger. “Don’t you dare compare me to that bitch!”

Reece frowned. “She’s not a bitch.”

Ophelia scoffed. “If she isn’t one, what is she, having you so bewitched?”

Just then, Brenda’s voice suddenly sounded from the doorway. “So by that logic, since you’ve got my dad completely wrapped around your finger, does that make you a bitch!”

Brenda had returned to pick up a few documents she’d left in the safe upstairs. Hearing the heated voices as she reached the top of the stairs, she’d walked over and caught most of the conversation between mother and son.

Initially, Brenda hadn’t intended to intervene, feeling Reece deserved it. But hearing Ophelia go on about Phoebe as a bitch was more than Brenda could stand.

Ophelia turned, glaring at Brenda. “You brat! Is that any way to talk to your mother?”

Brenda scoffed, raising an eyebrow. “If I’m a brat, then what are you? An old brat?”

Brenda could hardly stomach how Ophelia, with her twisted heart, kept trying to manipulate Reece. The hypocrisy was sickening.

Ophelia nearly staggered backward in fury. “You… you…” she spluttered. “Do you believe I won’t have your father throw you out of the Hill family?”

She couldn’t fathom how she’d birthed such a defiant daughter. “If only I had thrown her out back then,” she wondered.

Brenda chuckled. “Of course, I believe you. My dad listens to everything you say, after all.”

That was the truth. Her father usually held a powerful and astute presence in the Hill Group and the family. But in front of Ophelia, he became hopelessly infatuated, always bending over backward for her. In fact, the colder Ophelia was, the more he fawned. Thinking of how she used to chase after Frank herself, Brenda felt a wave of disgust. At least Brenda’d wised up before it was too late.

Unable to contain herself, Ophelia stepped toward Brenda, hand raised, ready to strike. But Brenda caught her wrist mid-air. “Mrs. Hill, I’m not my father or Reece. I won’t just submit to you.”

“If you dare lay a finger on me, I’ll go straight to my grandma and have her deal with you.”

Since her grandfather’s passing, her grandmother’s attitude had shifted drastically, as if trying to make up for lost time by showing newfound affection toward Brenda and Reece.

Hearing Brenda’s threat, Ophelia’s face darkened. She was very afraid of that evil old woman. She was afraid that Brenda would really look for her.

It was unknown if that old woman was crazy, but she was very protective of Brenda and Reece now. Bluffing herself, Ophelia huffed, “Just you wait, Brenda!”

Then, in a fury, Ophelia stormed off, heels clicking down the hall. Brenda laughed to herself. “Even she can be a coward sometimes.”

Reece turned toward her. “No matter what, she’s still our mother. You don’t have to be so harsh.”

Brenda shot him an exasperated look. “You’re hopeless.” She turned away, too tired to argue with Reece, and started walking off.

Reece called after her urgently. “Brenda, do me a favor.”

Brenda paused. “If you’re about to ask me to talk to Phoebe on your behalf, then don’t bother.”

Reece froze, surprised that Brenda hadn’t turned to his side for help. Thinking carefully, he suddenly asked, “If Frank came back for you, what would you do? Can you understand now!”

Brenda stopped, genuinely taken aback, then let out a mocking laugh. “I’d tell him this: Belated affection is worthless than shit, and I’m not interested.”

“I’m telling you the same thing, Reece. My choice would be exactly the same as Phoebe’s. So no, I can’t understand you, and I certainly don’t agree with you,” she added.

Brenda continued, “You know, Reece, you should consider seeing a therapist. Ophelia poisoned you too deeply.” With that, she returned to her route, gathered her things, and left the Hill residence. Ophelia, who’d already picked up the phone to call Finnian back to discipline Brenda, found herself foiled. Once again, she’d managed only to…