The Phantom Heiress Rising From The Shadows

Once His Wife, Now His Rival 220 Chapter 220 Your Father BetrayedAlec's face darkened like stormy clouds, and his intense gaze aimed at Mack felt like it could cut through flesh. He hadn't forgotten about Lila Tucker's place; he had just wanted to go there alone. That was why he hadn't mentioned it earlier.

He had seen that humble 150-square-meter space as his personal refuge, a place he imagined solely for himself, with no room for his family.

The thought of his wife and mistress living under the sroof was completely absurd to him.

With one glance at Alec's stormy expression, Ruby confirmed all her suspicions.

Her anger flared up instantly. For years, she had seen Alec as the perfect, loyal husband. While other wealthy men paraded their mistresses, she proudly told her friends about Alec's steadfast faithfulness, often claiming it was due to her own charm.

Now, it seemed the reality was not what she had always thought it to be. How could she contain her fury? Ruby unleashed her anger like a raging storm, her hand gripping Alec's ear with force. "You jerk! All these years, you were acting like the ideal husband while secretly having an affair?" Alec flinched, remembering the days when Ruby would march through the Barrett Group headquarters, pulling secretaries and accountants by their hair across the trading floor when they were having an affair with him. Since those heated times, he had becskilled at hiding his affairs from Ruby.

In the past, he had feared Ruby's tic outbursts, afraid they might cause the company's stock to drop. Now, with no company to protect and no reputation to defend, he was unwilling to bear Ruby's anger.

His hand struck Ruby's cheek, a slap so loud it silenced their children. "Enough! Yes, I've been unfaithful. What can you do about it? I have somewhere to be now, but what about you? Your parents are gone, and your relatives are cutting ties with you. If you don't want to end up on the streets, you'd better do whatever I tell you to do!" Mack and Isabella stood frozen, their world suddenly turned upside down. Life had always followed a certain script-frequent outbursts from their mother, their father's quiet acceptance. But now, the red mark from Alec's slap on Ruby's face was a clear break from that pattern.

"Enough!" Mack stepped between Ruby and Alec, his voice trembling with strain. "Why are we fighting like now? Aren't we still a family?" Ruby recovered from the slap and jabbed a finger at Alec. "How dare you hit me? I'll make you pay for this!" Mack caught her wrists, trying to stop her. "Mom, stop this! Dad hasn't done anything wrong. Keeping 18:14 < < Chapter 220 Your Father Betrayedmistresses is practically a tradition for the rich. Without Dad's affair, we wouldn't even have Ms. Tucker's place to fall back on now." Feeling more abandoned than ever, Ruby felt her heart ache as Mack seemed to side with Alec.

Tears streamed down her face as she cried out, "Mack, how can you defend him like this? I'm your mother, and your father betrayed met" Mack, maintaining his composure, tried to reason with her, saying, "Mom, consider our options. Do you want to starve or end up sleeping on the streets? Ms. Tucker's house is the best option we have right now. Can you think of any alternative?" Ruby cried, her voice cracking. "Would we be in this situation if I had an answer to that? Not even your uncle will help us, his wife slammed the door in my face like I was sstranger." Mack tried to calm her down as he said, "We can either hold on to our pride or keep ourselves off the streets tonight. You know what to choose. Please, let's avoid any more ." Ruby's anger remained as she followed behind the others, unwillingly heading toward Lila's place.

As they walked, Ruby bombarded Alec with questions. "That apartment-you bought it for her, right? You used your money, correct?" Alec kept silent. The situation was far more complicated than Ruby realized.

From the beginning, Lila had been plotting to keep the property away from Judy, carefully crafting a smart, long - term strategy.

Every tshe received money from Alec, it was disguised as a bonus or a consultancy fee.

The apartment was entirely owned by Lila. It was bought using her bank ht using her even if Alec wanted to get the house account. With the law on her side, back, he wouldn't be able to succeed.

As Ruby pressed him for answers, Alec quickened his pace, choosing silence over revealing the truth.

Driven by frustration, Ruby shoved him, and demanded, "I'm talking to you! Answer me!" "It's complex, okay? The house wasn't bought with my money," Alec snapped back, his patience wearing thin.

Ruby's voice grew louder. "Ridiculous! She couldn't possibly afford that place by herself!" Her eyes narrowed. "Spill the truth!"

Alec's tone was also sharp. "I'm telling the truth! She's a skilled m accountant-every transaction was legitimate. You won't be able to get the apartment."

Ruby saw right through his attempts to dodge the issue. She sneered won't divorce you. Do you really think you can just leave us and go live with her? Not a chance!"