The Ex Who Became His Obsession novel Chapter 17

Before Beatrice could finish speaking, she froze.

Leonard walked down with a grim expression, bruises on his temples and cheekbones, his lips slightly swollen with noticeable scratches on his chin. He didn’t look much better than Charlie, who was sitting on the couch with an ice pack on

his face.

Beatrice got even more furious. She furrowed her brows and glared at Leonard. “Look at you, looking like a wimp. It’s already stupid to hit someone, but you’ve been beaten worse yourself. You’ve embarrassed our family. Why didn’t Mr. Dixon just knock you out?”

Charlie was speechless and couldn’t figure out who Beatrice was actually scolding.

Leonard walked up to Beatrice, but his gaze was fixed on Charlie. “Get out,” Leonard demanded.

Charlie’s expression turned cold. The atmosphere in the living room instantly became tense.

But Beatrice suddenly exhaled, breaking the tension. “Thank goodness,” she said, patting her chest and looking at Alyssia as Alyssia slowly descended the stairs with a smile. “Aly’s fine. Now I’m finally relieved.”

Beatrice had been startled when she saw Milena’s face earlier, thinking Alyssia might have been hurt too. But now that Alyssia appeared composed, her face unscratched and her demeanor elegant, Beatrice knew the situation wasn’t too bad.

Milena immediately became agitated. “Mrs. Rivera,” she cried, her eyes red and half of her face swollen, “you just said hitting people was wrong, and that Alyssia should apologize to me.”

“I said Leonard should apologize to Mr. Dixon,” Beatrice replied softly, her tone still gentle. “What happened between you girls isn’t a fight. That’s just a little disagreement.”

Before Milena could argue, Beatrice continued, “Besides, if Aly hit you, you could’ve hit her back. You didn’t manage to land a blow because you’re too weak.

“Milena, no offense, but as a girl, you need to be tough when it’s called for. If you keep acting so frail and helpless, you’re never going to get anywhere. These days, damsels in distress are long out of fashion. Got it?”

Milena didn’t know what to say, equally unsure whether Beatrice was helping her or putting her down.

Milena thought, ‘Mrs. Rivera was just saying how crazy and wild girls these days are, claiming how rare it is to find someone as gentle and graceful as Alyssia. This old hag is truly full of double standards and hypocrisy.‘

“Mrs. Rivera,” Alyssia greeted as she walked over.

Beatrice immediately took Alyssia’s hand, smiling warmly as she looked at Alyssia. “Aly, I heard some rumors and came right over to see for myself. Now that I see you’re fine, I can relax.”

Alyssia looked at Beatrice’s familiar, kind face. Some words caught in Alyssia’s throat, but she had no choice but to say them, “Mrs. Rivera, I’m just here to return some things. I’m leaving soon.”

Alyssia had come to live with the Rivera family when she was ten, and Beatrice had treated her better than her own child.

Alyssia knew that the best way to repay Beatrice was to accept all the kindness she’d shown her. But today, Alyssia would only leave Beatrice disappointed.

“I’ve broken up with Leonard. I was the one who initiated it,” Alyssia remarked. She said she initiated it, not chose it. It was to leave Leonard with a little bit of dignity, and to hold onto a bit of her own stubborn pride.

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expressions.

Milena’s eyes lit up. Charlie lowered his gaze, deep in thought. Beatrice was stunned, and Leonard’s expression darkened in

an instant.

Leonard thought, ‘What did I just tell Alyssia? I specifically told her to watch her mouth. And now, she walks in and stirs up trouble. Does she just like being the center of attention? Does she crave everyone’s focus?

‘My mother has been so kind to her, and Alyssia uses that kindness to make my mother anxious. Calling Alyssia heartless isn’t an exaggeration.

Beatrice took a moment to recover from the shock. “Aly, well, I know Leonard has never been good with words, and he doesn’t know how to care for people.

“He’s been spoiled rotten by the family. I’ll reel him in from now on. Don’t hold it against him, okay?”

Milena quickly interrupted, afraid that Alyssia would agree with Beatrice’s words, “Mrs. Rivera, you really don’t have to worry too much.

“Even if Ms. Clairmont and Leonard have no future together, she still has a great match waiting for her–Mr. Dixon. Today, Mr. Dixon is so intent on protecting Ms. Clairmont, no one can stop him.”

Milena’s intentions were too obvious, and Charlie couldn’t help but immediately retort, “Ms. Johnson, Leonard and I have some old issues, but it has nothing to do with Alyssia.”

‘Is that so?” Milena pretended to be surprised, covering her mouth with a smile. “Just now, you and Leonard were fighting so iercely. I thought you were jealous over Ms. Clairmont.”

Charlie almost laughed out loud as he spoke, “Ms. Johnson-” He thought, ‘Does Milena really think everyone here is a fool and can’t see through her intentions?‘

‘Oh, come on, it’s normal.” Beatrice suddenly waved her hand, a smile returning to her face. “How could there not be a few nen fighting over a pretty girl like Aly?

‘It’s only natural. Aly’s got a great personality. She’s sweet and so beautiful. If there weren’t a few men interested, that would De strange.”

Milena’s face twisted in rage. She thought, ‘Is Mrs. Rivera blind? Leonard and Charlie just fought like this, and she’s still saying all those nice things about Alyssia. Alyssia’s parents didn’t die for nothing, huh?‘

Frustrated, Milena let her sarcasm slip out. “Yes, it’s all thanks to Ms. Clairmont’s charm. If it were anyone else, they’d be called flirtatious or even slutty.”

Charlie didn’t want to listen to her slandering anymore. He remarked, “Ms. Johnson, Alyssia and Leonard have already broken up. I still have the recording of the phone call where you admitted to your relationship with Leonard. Do you want us to replay it here?”

Milena was momentarily speechless. She widened her Bambi eyes and looked at Leonard for help. “Leon knows I only posted that on Instagram because my grandpa’s seriously ill and I wanted to cheer him up.

“I didn’t even mention Leon’s name, not a single word about dating. It was those shameless media outlets twisting everything, tricking me into talking so they could cut it up and take it out of context.”

As she spoke, Milena couldn’t help but glance at Alyssia, her eyes betraying the hatred she was trying to hide.

Milena thought, ‘It’s all because of this scheming bitch. Alyssia has been using her parents‘ favor with the Rivera family to

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Chapter 17

cling to Leonard and take the place that was rightfully mine. She’s already been dumped, but she still refuses to step aside.

“You said your grandfather is seriously ill? I didn’t hear about that,” Beatrice said, a bit surprised.

“Mrs. Rivera, it’s normal that you didn’t hear about it. My grandfather has been receiving treatment abroad in recent years. This time, he suddenly had a medical emergency and almost didn’t make it,” Milena replied, giving Leonard a grateful glance.

She continued, “Thankfully, Leonard helped out by calling Dr. Lewis, who rushed abroad to perform surgery on my grandfather and saved him.”

Alyssia’s cup slipped from her hand with a loud crash, spilling water all over the floor.