Second Marriage to A Big Shot

Chapter 7 Cutting Ties?

Wesley noticed Scarlett's actions and a barely noticeable satisfaction flashed in his eyes.

'It seemed she still cared about me, at least a little.'

Neither of them spoke after that.

Scarlett returned to the place she was renting and had her driver bring the car to her apartment complex.

Just after she sent a message, someone rang the doorbell.

Hearing it, Scarlett got up to open the door.

Standing outside was Patrick's mother, Amanda Hastings.

Amanda pretended to be concerned. "Scarlett, it's not safe for you to live here alone."

Scarlett motioned for Amanda to come in and got straight to the point.

"Patrick and I are getting divorced. It's for the best."

Amanda's face darkened at her words.

"Scarlett, if it weren't for us taking you in back then, would you have the life you have now?"

Scarlett knew exactly why Amanda was there. She wanted her to bail Patrick out.

But Scarlett had helped the Hastings family many times over the years and owed them nothing.

"You did take me in, but it was Patrick who had people alter photos to make it look like I cheated on him with Wesley, spreading them all over the internet. If Wesley hadn't helped me, my reputation would have been ruined."

Amanda completely disagreed with Scarlett. "If you hadn't cheated on Patrick with Wesley, why would he accuse you? Patrick insisted on marrying you against our wishes. If that wasn't love, what was it? If you hadn't betrayed him, how did he get those photos?"

Scarlett found Amanda's reasoning ridiculous.

"Mrs. Hastings, it's your business to defend your son, but it has nothing to do with me. This is my home. Please leave, or I'll call the police right now."

Seeing that Scarlett was determined not to help Patrick, Amanda threatened her. "If you don't come with me to bail Patrick out, I'll have someone release the video of you nearly being r***d when you were young. If you don't let my son have peace, I won't let you have any either."

Scarlett knew that if that video were made public, it would give her enemies ammunition to use against her.

Although her other identities were well hidden, she couldn't be sure her opponents didn't know about them.

Just as she was considering this, she heard Amanda ordering the bodyguards she brought.

"Take her to the police station, even if you have to tie her up."

Immediately, Scarlett saw the guards approach her.

Scarlett sneered coldly. "Amanda, do you think they can take me?"

Amanda looked at her with disdain. "Do you think Patrick will still protect you? He can't wait to divorce you. Without Patrick's protection, do you really think you can take on these bodyguards?"

Amanda ordered the bodyguards again. "What are you waiting for? Grab her."

The bodyguards didn't hesitate this time. Some reached for Scarlett's shoulders, while others aimed a punch at her back.

Scarlett didn't take their attacks seriously. With a swift turn and a kick, she sent all the bodyguards crashing to the floor.

She then swiftly moved in front of Amanda, looking down at her. "I won't let you have it your way."

Amanda, terrified, collapsed to her knees.

"Scarlett, I'm not just your mother-in-law but also your foster mother. Are you really going to kill me?"

Scarlett mocked. "You just ordered your men to forcibly take me to the police station. You didn't leave me any dignity."

Seeing that persuasion wasn't working, Amanda resorted to threats. "If I don't make it back, my family will release that video of you almost being raped."

Scarlett was just about to consider giving in when an unexpected voice sounded from behind her.

"You wouldn't dare."

She knew immediately it was Wesley.

'I had set boundaries with him. Why is he still helping me?'

Amanda, seeing that it was only Wesley, showed no fear. Instead, she sneered.

"So you're the famous Wesley, and that's all you're good for. If I don't make it back today, they will never let you off."

Wesley stepped in front of Amanda, shielding Scarlett.

"If you harm her, my wrath will be the least of your worries."

Amanda glared at Wesley, pointing a finger at him.

"A poor nobody like you dares to challenge my family? You must be out of your mind."

Wesley signaled his men to bring over the documents.

One of his men stepped forward, handing Wesley the file.

Wesley took it and tossed it onto Amanda.

"Take a good look and see who's really out of their mind."

With that, he firmly took Scarlett by the hand and led her outside.

Scarlett felt an inexplicable sense of relief when she met his domineering gaze.

Once they were outside, she couldn't help but ask, "What did you give Amanda? Why are you helping me after how I treated you?"

Wesley was about to say something when he saw Amanda approaching.

Scarlett noticed Wesley's expression and turned to see Amanda coming towards them.

When Amanda reached Wesley, she suddenly knelt before him.

"Mr. Kingsley, I won't dare to cross you again. Please, don't take this out on my family."

Wesley just ignored her. Then, he looked at Scarlett.

"That depends on Ms. Wilson."

To save her family, Amanda turned to Scarlett.

"Scarlett, I won't let Patrick target you anymore. Please let Mr. Kingsley leave my family alone."

Scarlett still held a grudge against Amanda's earlier attitude. "Do I look like someone who could go against your family?"

Despite her resentment, Amanda knew she had to swallow her pride in the face of Wesley's power, so she pleaded again. "Scarlett, even though you're divorcing Patrick, we never mistreated you. How can you have Mr. Kingsley target us and still sleep at night?"

Considering her relationship with Wesley was purely business, Scarlett didn't want to owe him anything.

"Just go. As long as Patrick doesn't cross the line, I won't have Mr. Kingsley go after you."

Hearing what she wanted, Amanda muttered some insincere thanks before leaving with her bodyguards.

As Amanda walked away, Wesley couldn't help but hold Scarlett by the shoulders.

"Why did you say that?"

Meeting his slightly angry gaze, Scarlett didn't give in.

"We are partners, but I don't like owing you anything. Besides, I don't want people to think I'm having an affair with you."

Wesley tightened his grip on Scarlett's shoulder.

"You really want to sever ties with me that badly?"

Scarlett tried to push Wesley away. "We never had a relationship. Otherwise, you wouldn't have kept so much from me. I hate being lied to."

Wesley knew how much she despised lies.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have approached her this way.

He released her and spoke seriously, "I won't deceive you. Trust me."