Chapter 172
Rebekah’s blunt statement caught Old Mr. Forrester completely off guard.
His weathered face crumpled, and for a fleeting moment, a rare flicker of panic crossed his eyes. But he quickly composed himself, his expression softening into one of paternal affection.
“Rebekah, Forrester Group is the result of decades of my hard work. Please don’t blame your grandfather for trying to protect it p>
A faint, mocking smile touched her lips. “Grandfather, I’m not a Forrester. It’s perfectly understandable that you would use me, but that doesn’t mean I have to forgive you for it p>
He looked at her, his eyes pleading. “But my affection for you was real p>
“And what if it was?” Rebekah’s voice was cold. “You were kind to me because my orphan status made me useful. Did you ever once see me as a person p>
Suddenly, Old Mr. Forrester was seized by a violent coughing fit. His face turned a deep red, and he looked as if he might pass out. The butler rushed to his side, rubbing his back and helping him with a glass of water and his medication.
It was a long moment before his breathing evened out.
Rebekah watched, her brow furrowed. Seeing him in such a state, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of pity.
“Ma’am, please don’t upset him anymore,” the butler said, his tone accusatory. “His health is declining day by day. You used to make him nourishing soup, but lately, you haven’t bothered at all p>
A knot formed in Rebekah’s chest. She stood up abruptly. “I’m going to my room p>
Without another glance at Old Mr. Forrester, she turned and went upstairs.
The butler glared at her retreating back, muttering indignantly, “Honestly, He made you a
Hawthorne, gave you a better lifet
What more could she possibly want? And now she insists on divorcing the young master p>
Old Mr. Forrester’s voice was faint but firm. “Let her go. She’s served her purpose p>
Upstairs, Rebekah began packing. There wasn’t much to take—just a few changes of clothes and her art supplies. Everything fit into a single large suitcase.
Seeing that she was done and it was still light outside, she thought, *No time like the present. She could leave the Forrester Estate today.
She messaged Jensen, asking if the code to the apartment had been changed. After getting his reply, she dragged her suitcase downstairs.
Several unwelcome guests had arrived. The Fletchers and Candice were all there, and Benjamin had returned at some point as well. As Rebekah descended the stairs, every head turned to look at her.
Her adoptive mother stormed over, pointing a finger in her face. “Who gave you permission to get a divorce without consulting the family? You think you’re all grown up now, do you p>
Her adoptive father sat on the sofa, unmoving, but the look he gave her was venomous enough to kill. “Look at yourself! Benjamin has been so good to you all these years, and you tepay him by humiliating him at his own son’s school event? Have you no shame p>
Candice sat nearby, a smug, mocking look on her face. Benjamin leaned back against the sofa
cushions, an air of detachment
about him, as if he were merely
waiting for Rebekah to come to her
senses and apologize.
Rebekah rested a hand on her suitcase. “I’ve been asking for a divorce for a long time,” she said coolly. “Today, I finally got what I wanted. Why is everyone so surprised p>
“How dare you talk back to me!” Her mother’s face contorted with rage as she swung a hand to slap her.
Rebekah sidestepped the blow. “Did you really think I’d stand here and let you hit me forever p>
Her mother gasped, clutching her chest, utterly incensed.