I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 50

apter 50

Chapter 50

As Lauren descended the stairs, she caught Rhea’s words.

Another geomancer?

+25 BONUS

Lauren quickly said, “Rhea, since Mr. Coleman already assessed the house, maybe there’s no need to trouble anyone else. The sooner we make the necessary adjustments, the sooner things will improve. It’s better not to delay.”

Rhea smirked. “I just find it strange. Why am I the only one being blamed for bringing bad luck into this house? Ms. Thayer, if your energy truly complements Carter’s, then why did both your families fall into ruin back when you two were engaged?”

“Rhea,” Carter called out as if warning her to watch her words.

Rhea glanced at him. “If all of you think I’m the one ruining the peace of this house, why not just say it? There’s no need to go to all this trouble to drag in some half–baked geomancer.”

“Who are you calling a half–baked geomancer?” Marcel snapped. “Are you talking about me?”

Rhea stayed perfectly calm. “I’ve met all the geomancers from Aethermark Sanctuary, but I’ve never seen you. Who are you exactly? And what color is your geomancer robe? Do you have your license on you?”

The string of pointed questions made Marcel’s expression grow darker and darker.

Lauren gave a forced smile. “Rhea, have you ever been to Aethermark Sanctuary? That’s not a place just anyone can walk into. And now you’re saying that you’ve met all the geomancers there? That’s a stretch.”

A stretch?

Back when Aethermark Sanctuary was first built in Draventh, the Ravelle family had helped fund it.

Before Rhea turned 15, she had spent part of every year there. She knew the geomancers there as if they were family.

Carter frowned. “Rhea, this isn’t the time to be competitive. When would you ever have had the chance to visit Aethermark Sanctuary? Plus, it would take dozens of visits to meet every geomancer there.”

Carter and Rhea had been married for years. As far as he knew, Rhea had only been to Draventh twice.

He felt that Rhea was only putting on a front because she didn’t want to cooperate with fixing the geomancy issue.

That kind of prideful stubbornness was what he despised most. He wondered when Rhea had become so petty.

Chloe chimed in, “Exactly. Ms. Ravelle, as Carter’s wife, your first thought should be for him, not your own feelings. They say a good wife brings peace to a household. You should try to be more like Lauren–selfless and thoughtful.”

Rhea slowly stood up and changed her tune. “Well, then. Mr. Coleman, since you’ve come all this way, why don’t you stay for dinner?”

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Chapter 50

Marcel gave a low snort. “Since I’m not trusted here, I don’t see the point in staying.”

+25 BONUS

Chloe spoke with the authority of the matriarch. “Mr. Coleman, don’t take it personally. Young people can be temperamental. Please stay for dinner. We truly appreciate you coming to help us today.”

Rhea said nothing, simply turning and heading upstairs in silence.

Evening fell. Just before dinner, Carter was still deep in thought, replaying Marcel’s words. He wondered if Rhea really could be energetically incompatible with him. But everything had been just fine at home all these years.

Lauren walked into the dining room and saw several extra sets of plates and utensils. She asked, “Why are there so many sets?”

Devan’s attitude toward her had turned somewhat cold. “Mrs. Jamison said she invited a few important guests.”

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