Filed to story: Unmasking the Billionaire: Don’t Mess with the Ex (Victoria & Carter) Book PDF Free
“Mom, let me explain – “
“Explain what? You should have gotten rid of that woman long ago,” Madilyn interrupted sharply. “Show me the divorce papers. That woman has always been shady, always pretending. Did she try to take your money?
“Listen, Victoria was never loved by her own family. She’ll definitely try to claim half your assets. Don’t give her a single cent. We’ll hire the best lawyer in the city to ensure this divorce is clean. I won’t have her crawling back to you later.” Madilyn’s words made her dislike for Victoria abundantly clear.
“Mom!” Carter snapped, clearly annoyed.
Madilyn fell silent.
Isabella remained standing quietly to the side, not moving a muscle.
“Mom, Victoria did divorce me, and I signed the papers. But she’s not the person you think she is,” Carter tried to explain. “Victoria didn’t ask for anything. She didn’t take a single cent from our family.”
“What?” Madilyn looked stunned. “A country girl passing up such a golden opportunity? She’s just playing hard to get. Do you really believe that act?”
“Mom, whether you believe it or not, Victoria genuinely didn’t want anything.” Carter felt a wave of frustration. Honestly, I almost wish she had fought for some of my assets – at least that would have shown she still cared, that she wasn’t ready to let go completely.
But her total indifference, her determination to cut all ties… The thought left a bitter taste in his mouth.
Madilyn’s eyes narrowed as her gaze shifted past Carter to Isabella. “Is she the reason Victoria divorced you?”
Isabella froze, lowering her head with a hint of grievance. “Mrs. Madilyn Myers, I…”
Carter quickly intervened, “Mom, did Victoria say something to you? Isabella and I are completely innocent. Don’t forget – she saved my life. If it weren’t for her, I might not even be here. We met years ago, then she went abroad and became a world-renowned pianist.”
Madilyn listened carefully while sizing up Isabella.
So this was the girl who saved Carter!
She remembered the incident clearly – Carter had almost drowned, only to be rescued by a young girl. As his mother, Madilyn knew every detail. The family had spent considerable resources trying to find the girl afterward.
Later, Carter claimed he had found her, but before Madilyn could arrange a meeting, she heard the girl had gone abroad.
Now, Madilyn examined Isabella from head to toe, raising her eyebrows slightly.
“Mrs. Madilyn Myers, I’m Isabella. I returned for my world tour, and next month I’ll be performing here in the city. My health hasn’t been the best, and Carter has been kind enough to look after me. I apologize if I’ve caused any inconvenience,” Isabella said softly.
World Tour!
The words “top-tier pianist” softened Madilyn’s expression almost imperceptibly.
In those few seconds, her mind had already drawn detailed comparisons between Victoria and Isabella – their social status, their manners, every conceivable aspect.
Isabella was clearly in a different league altogether. If Victoria had any advantage, it might only be her appearance – and even that was barely worth mentioning in high society.
But wealthy families sought more than just a pretty face. No matter how beautiful a country girl might be, she would always remain an ugly duckling in their world – never truly transforming into a swan.
Compared to her attitude toward Victoria, Madilyn’s demeanor toward Isabella noticeably warmed.
“Carter is always occupied with business matters,” Madilyn remarked, casting a meaningful glance toward Isabella. “If there were someone at home who understood propriety and genuinely cared for her husband, perhaps our Myers family could finally…”
“Mommy…” A small voice interrupted Madilyn’s train of thought.
She looked down to see a little figure running into the room, nestling nervously into Isabella’s arms.
“Mrs. Madilyn Myers, this is my child, Jenarth,” Isabella introduced softly, her head slightly bowed in a demure manner.
Jenarth!
Hearing the name, Madilyn instinctively glanced at Carter, but he remained impassive, as if the thought hadn’t even crossed his mind.
“Pretty, hello, I’m Jenarth,” the child said, stepping forward and looking up at Madilyn with innocent eyes, the address sweet and deliberate.
The term “pretty” instantly lifted Madilyn’s mood. She smiled down at Jenarth. “You certainly know how to flatter! How old are you, dear?”
“Pretty, I’m five and a half,” Jenarth replied, boldly stepping closer to gently take Madilyn’s hand. “Pretty, what happened to your finger?”
Madilyn looked down and noticed the minor cut on her finger – a small injury she’d gotten from breaking a cup in anger after receiving Victoria’s call. She hadn’t even paid it any attention, yet this child had spotted it immediately.
“Pretty, does it hurt? Let me blow on it for you,” Jenarth offered, leaning in to gently blow on the finger. “There, it won’t hurt anymore. Mommy says blowing on it makes everything better.”
Watching this sweet, considerate child, Madilyn couldn’t help but compare him to Robert, who always clung to Victoria. The anger she had just managed to suppress began to simmer again.
That other child is far too stubborn and never listens to me, she thought bitterly. She had asked
Robert to return to Myers Manor and even hired a private tutor for him, but he ignored her wishes and refused to leave Victoria’s side.
That little rascal even dared to lecture Carter – utterly unacceptable.
If only Victoria’s child were as well-behaved and endearing as this one, she might have tolerated her presence more.
A country girl like Victoria had never been welcome in the Lewis family. Without the Myers family’s protection, where could she possibly go? As long as she didn’t drag the Myers name through the mud, that would be enough.
Madilyn had never liked Victoria, and her eyes reflected pure disdain. If it hadn’t been for Charles’ interference, Carter could have married someone far more suitable. Any of the high-society ladies she knew would have outshone Victoria completely.
Charles’ judgment was always questionable, she thought resentfully. He constantly favored that insignificant girl.
She had always suspected there was something dubious about the relationship between that girl and Charles – perhaps some special connection to her deceased mother.
The thought made Madilyn’s eyes grow even colder. She turned to Carter and stated flatly, “Since you’ve signed the papers, complete the process quickly. There’s no need to prolong this.”
Carter attempted to explain, “Mom…”
“Don’t say another word. It’s settled. I’ve already contacted the lawyer. Victoria chose to leave empty-handed, and since she signed the agreement, there’s no going back. I want her to understand that entering our Myers family wasn’t easy, and without Charles’ support, she’s nothing but a clown.”
Carter heard Madilyn’s harsh words and wanted to defend Victoria, but then he remembered this was entirely Victoria’s choice. She was so desperate to break free, playing hard to get and creating drama just to get my attention.
Since she chose this path, he’d let her have her way. When she found herself with nowhere to turn, she’d come crawling back to him.
Then…
Carter nodded reluctantly. “Alright.”
Hearing this, Madilyn smiled faintly. Her eyes swept over Jenarth and Isabella before she raised her voice slightly. “Carter, now that you’re single again, remember you’re the CEO of Myers Group. Wherever you go, you represent our family. Don’t be careless anymore. I’m not like your grandfather – I won’t force you into any arrangements.”
“I understand, Mom,” Carter replied, his voice heavy with suppressed irritation.
Just then, his phone rang, prompting him to step away to take the call. Simultaneously, Madilyn’s phone began vibrating – the lawyer was calling.
“I have matters to attend to. I’ll be going now.” After casting a brief, appraising glance at Isabella, Madilyn turned and left. As she walked out, she answered the call and immediately launched into sharp tones. “If she’s choosing to leave with nothing, then she gets nothing. I don’t care if it was from her father or her mother – once those funds entered our family accounts, they became ours. She’s eaten our food, used our resources – every penny she ever spent came from us. Did she really think she could walk away and still benefit? Absolutely not…”
Isabella stood silently, watching Madilyn’s retreating figure until she disappeared from view, her own eyes gradually cooling.
Carter’s mother was clearly going to be a difficult woman to handle.
But as long as Madilyn didn’t stand between her and Carter, they could be temporary allies. After all, the enemy of one’s enemy was a friend. If Madilyn despised Victoria, then she was a useful asset.
