I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 66

Chapter 66

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Lauren seemed uneasy about leaving Carter with Rhea. She slowly made her way down the stairs on her crutch. She said, “Carter, don’t be mad anymore. This whole mess ruined Rhea’s birthday. It’s all my fault for being so careless.”

Rhea cast her a glance, then turned to Carter, smiling. She asked, “What do you think my relationship with them is?”

“That’s something you should be explaining to me,” Carter replied, ignoring Lauren completely.

Rhea met his suspicious gaze. “If I told you that I’ve known them since we were kids, would you believe me?”

Carter’s eyes widened. He couldn’t believe that they were childhood friends.

Lauren immediately chimed in, “You’ve known who since you were kids?”

However, neither Carter nor Rhea responded to her.

Lauren leaned in toward Carter and pressed, “Carter? What are you two talking about?”

She couldn’t stand not knowing what they were discussing and was determined to get to the bottom of it.

Lauren worried that Anthony’s earlier words might have made Carter suspicious. That was why she was so intent on listening in on their conversation.

Devan, for the first time, openly showed his displeasure at a guest in the house. “Ms. Thayer, Mr. and Mrs. Jamison are discussing private matters. Please, rest in your room.”

Lauren picked up on his tone. She sighed, feigning worry. “I’m just concerned. I don’t want them arguing over me again.” (1

Rhea chuckled. “Ms. Thayer, you really don’t have to worry.‘

She was done arguing with Carter over Lauren. “I said I’d move out today,” she added.

But Carter wasn’t letting her go so easily. “I’m not done talking. Where do you think you’re going?”

Talking about what?

Lauren’s eyes were full of curiosity.

Rhea glanced back, clearly impatient. “I told you, I’ve known George since we were young.‘

Lauren couldn’t help but laugh at those words. “Rhea, you shouldn’t bluff like that. You’ll end up teaching the kids to lie, too.”

Clearly, Rhea had been irritated by what Lauren’s friends had said earlier.

After all, Lauren and Carter used to be part of the most elite circle of heirs and heiresses in Colburn and the southern tri–state area.

And Rhea? She was nothing. So, she was now clinging to George’s name to appear more important.

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Chapter 66

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Carter seemed to think the same. He suspected that Rhea had once sold her body to get close to someone like George.

But now, she was offering a different explanation.

Either way, he couldn’t accept it. Because in his eyes, both were lies.

“Rhea, when did you become so vain?” he coldly asked.

Lauren echoed, “Yeah, Rhea. I understand that you might mind the fact that Carter and I grew up together. But no one can choose their background. To grow up alongside someone like George, you’d have to be born into a top family in Draventh.”

But Rhea…

From the upstairs landing, Mia, who had been eavesdropping the entire time, snorted. “Rhea, does Mr. Snider know that you’re out here bluffing like that? You’d better be careful with your words. If you end up upsetting him, it might drag Carter’s career down too.”

Rhea didn’t bother explaining further. “I said what I needed to say. Believe it or not, it’s up to you.”

With that, she turned to leave.

“If you walk out now, don’t bother coming back,” Carter warned.

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