I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 321

Chapter 321

+25 BONUS

Back at the Ravelle residence, Liam took a drag of his cigarette after ending the call with Carter.

Nathan sat across from him, still in awe of the way Liam had interacted with Carter thus far. He thought that his father was a master at keeping his emotions hidden, masking his disgust and aversion so flawlessly that not a single crack showed.

Nathan believed that he needed to work on that. Otherwise, Elena would probably drive him up the wall every day.

Nathan looked at Liam, who was now over 50. In Draventh, no matter how one ranked the old money or new elites, the Ravelles stood unchallenged at the top, with Liam as the linchpin.

Liam had started as a businessman, yet he had somehow forged ties with the state, riding its support to rise even higher. Now, the deep lines at the corners of his eyes only added to his undeniable authority.

Liam had gradually handed the reins to Nathan in recent years, focusing more on social engagements to maintain the Ravelle family’s connections and status across various circles.

“Dad, you’re sure good at holding it in.” Nathan chuckled.

He had wanted to kick Carter to the curb countless times now, yet Liam could still play the part of a kind father–in–law to Carter without batting an eye.

Liam looked up. His cigarette dangled from his fingers, and his glasses rested on the bridge of his nose, concealing some of the iciness in his eyes. He said coolly, “I’m not holding anything in because I don’t care about him at all.”

“Then I’m honestly impressed that you can still be so civil with him.” Nathan gave him a thumbs–up.

Liam shook his head. “I’m only doing this for Rhea.”

Only by holding himself back could Rhea vent her anger.

He continued, “Nathan, remember this–having enough power to call the shots isn’t something to brag about. Coming out unscathed is the real strategy. Those who have done dark deeds in the shadows never bring them up as trophies. It’s not glamorous.

“If you want to defeat someone, you need to show them where exactly they went wrong and make sure they accept their defeat. Getting them to bow their head and back down isn’t enough.”

Backing down was likely just a way to stay out of danger temporarily. It had nothing to do with acknowledging that one had done something wrong.

Liam’s goal was to make Carter engrain in his mind the enormity of his mistake. He wanted Carter to

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Chapter 321

+25 BONUS

regret this for the rest of his life, even in death.

A person who couldn’t see beyond the end of their nose at least had their nose to look at, but Liam wouldn’t allow Carter to have even that. He wouldn’t let Carter have the slightest bit of light left in his disgusting, selfish, and philandering life.

Nathan laughed. “Dad, was there ever a moment that you felt like you were bullying someone younger than you?”

This was a chat between father and son, so there was no need to shy away from anything.

Liam flicked his cigarette, looking unfazed. “He can tell his parents to climb out of their graves and fight me, then. It is his fate to have no one backing him up, just as it is Rhea’s fate to have suffered at his hands. There’s no bullying going on around here.

“I’ve clawed my way to where I am today so that when you and your sister get hurt, I can strike back. When you hold power, why would you need to talk about pity?”

Anyone who held power couldn’t afford to take pity or sympathize with anyone.

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