I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 224

Chapter 224

+25 BONUS

Since Rhea left, Adrian and Arielle had never greeted Carter with such enthusiasm. He sensed something amiss.

Lauren stood to the side, her eyes narrowing as she stared at them.

Arielle met Lauren’s gaze, then spoke to Carter. “Dad, a few women came over today,”

“I know.” Carter was concerned about the kids. “Did something happen?”

Arielle suddenly pointed at Lauren. “After they left, she threatened me and Adrian.”

Threatened?

Lauren’s gaze flickered, a hint of tension crossing her face. “Arielle?”

“Don’t think about scaring me again!” Arielle shot back, resolute.

Carter glanced at Lauren, then looked down at Arielle. “What kind of threat?”

Arielle replied quickly, “She said that if we liked Mommy Rhea, we should go live with her. She also said that this house belongs to her and that she has all kinds of ways to make us lose our comfortable life now.”

Lauren’s face visibly paled. “No, that’s not true. You’re making it—”

Adrian interrupted loudly, “She warned us not to tell you! That scary nanny sided with her, too! Dad, Arielle and I were really scared today.”

Carter’s chest tightened when he heard those words. This wasn’t the first time the kids had come to

him about this.

“Okay, I hear you. Go upstairs and play for now, alright?”

Arielle looked at him. “Dad, will you believe us?”

“Of course,” Carter said firmly. “Now go upstairs.”

“Okay.”

The siblings held hands and ran upstairs together.

Once they were gone, Scarlett quickly explained, “Mr. Jamison, it’s not like that. The children were rude in front of the guests today. Ms. Thayer noticed that normal lectures wouldn’t work, so she chose this method. But it’s all for their own good.”

Lauren added, “Yeah, Carter. We’re in Draventh now, not Colburn. Every little thing the kids do can

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Chapter 224

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affect your reputation.”

Carter turned to her. “I don’t care how you teach them. What I want to know is, did you tell the kids this house is yours and that you have all kinds of ways to make them leave?”

“I never said that!” Lauren said firmly. “They’re my children. I’d never say that to them.”

“Alright.” Carter nodded. “They used to tell on you, and I believed you. One or two times could be a misunderstanding, but they’re six now and know right from wrong. Since you insist you didn’t say that, I can check the surveillance footage.”

Surveillance footage?

Lauren froze. She had completely forgotten about the cameras. After all, she had genuinely believed that the kids wouldn’t dare tell Carter.

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