Chapter 168
With Yvonne’s brother gone, a semblance of order returned to the auditorium. School staff began directing the parents and students toward the exits.
Shawn finally broke away and ran to Candice, throwing his arms around her.
“Ms. Candice, I was so worried about you p>
“Worried about me? I’m fine, sweetie p>
Rebekah watched the tender scene, a bitter irony twisting in her gut. She was the
one who had nearly been stabbed, while Candice had been protected by Benjamin the entire time. Yet her own son’s first thought was for Candice.
She looked away, her gaze falling on Benjamin.
“Since we have an audience, let’s all bear witness,” she announced, her voice clear and strong. The departing crowd paused, turning back to watch.
“Benjamin, I want a divorce. Right now p>
Benjamin’s face darkened. “What did you just say p>
Candice’s expression flashed with glee before she quickly composed herself. “Sister, what are you doing?” she said, her voice laced with false concern. “You can’t air your marital problems in public like this. I know you’ve just been acknowledged by the Hawthornes, but you and Benjamin have been married for years. Are you looking down on him now that you have a powerful family behind you p>
Her words, disguised as peacemaking, were a thinly veiled accusation: Rebekah had become arrogant and was now casting aside the husband who was no longer good enough for her.
The crowd began to murmur.
“I did hear something about the Hawthornes finding their long-lost daughter. But I didn’t know they had a daughter p>
“The Hawthornes are notoriously private. Who knows what family they have? But even though they keep a low profile, their wealth and power are probably on par with the Forresters p>
“On par’? Please. The Hawthornes are old money. All of The Capital’s most famous families combined probably couldn’t match their fortune p>
“Still, if I were her, I wouldn’t be in any hurry to leave the Forrester family p>
“But think about it from her perspective. After everything that just happened, and
with a powerful new family to fall back on, why would she stay p>
“It’s still wrong. They’ve been married for years. You don’t just abandon your husband the moment you strike it rich. She’s being ungrateful p>
The voices in the crowd turned against her, painting Benjamin as the loyal husband who had stood by her all these years, only to be fossed aside now that she had climbed the Social ladder.
Shawn, still clinging to Candice, heard the shift in the crowd and worried that his parents might not get divorced after all. He quickly piped up, echoing the public sentiment.
“Fine, get a divorce! But I’m staying with Daddy! I’m not living with a woman who abandons her husband and son p>
I.ne
Rory, who had been watching the scene unfold, let out a small, cold laugh. “You’re a good son,” he said his eyes flicking from Shawn to Candice, and finally to Benjamin. “Anyone who didn’t know better. would think he was Candice’s son p>
“Mr. Powell! If you don’t stop with these accusations, I won’t be so civil,” Benjamin
roared, his composure finally snapping.
Candice quickly jumped in. “Mr.
Powell, Shawn has just always been
attached to me. Benjamin and I are
just old friends. I know it might look overly familiar but please don’t misunderstand. Think of how this might affect my sister’s marriage p>
She couldn’t understand why Rory was so determined to defend Rebekah. Did
they even know each other?
“Is Candice a bitch?” someone whispered from the crowd.