Chapter 197: A Bitter Confrontation
Sean had time to pursue Myra, but he couldn’t seem to spare a moment for me. Ever since the divorce was finalized, he had become quieter with each passing day. Lately, he was leaving the house at the crack of dawn and coming home only late at night. I hadn’t seen him in days—he was gone before I woke up and arrived after I had already gone to bed. How could I stay calm knowing that all of this was due to Myra? What was he trying to convey with his actions? Did he still have feelings for her? Was he chasing after her even after their divorce?
As Lyla spoke, Myra didn’t have a chance to respond. Before long, staff members passing by and receptionists at the front desk started to gather around, whispering among themselves.
Myra’s expression darkened as she stared coldly at Lyla. She gritted her teeth and snapped, “Let go of my hands!”
“Myra, I beg you. Please stay away from Sean. Please don’t pursue him…” Lyla sobbed, her grip tightening around Myra’s hands as if to prevent Myra from walking away.
The words stung. Myra felt a sharp pang in her chest, but she understood why this would be uncomfortable for anyone. Having her reputation tarnished publicly was unpleasant enough—especially when it came from Lyla.
“When did I provoke Sean?” Myra flung Lyla’s hands away, disregarding the possibility that Lyla might be pregnant. Her lips twisted into a sneer as she added, “We’ve been divorced for a while now. I’ve never gone after him, and I can barely stand to breathe the same air as him. Why would I involve myself in your drama?”
Lyla and Sean were two people Myra would avoid at all costs. Why would she suddenly go after Sean?
Suddenly, a past memory resurfaced: the time Lyla had accused Myra of harming her unborn child, a plot that had been entirely fabricated. Myra instinctively stepped back, realizing this could very well be another one of Lyla’s schemes.
“Myra! Miss Stark!” Lyla wailed, still clinging to Myra’s hands. “I know you hate me. You’ve always known Sean remained obsessed with me after marrying you. But our love isn’t wrong. And our unborn child is innocent. You’re from a great family, you’re beautiful—you could easily find someone better than Sean. But if I divorce him, our child will grow up without a father. I don’t care about myself, but what about our baby?”
Lyla’s voice cracked with emotion as her eyes swelled with tears.
Myra’s fists clenched at her sides, the words sinking deep. She couldn’t tell if Lyla was acting intentionally or if this was truly a plea. One thing was clear—Lyla had caused a scene in front of the Stark Group, drawing unwanted attention. Many of the staff members glanced at Myra with scorn as they passed by.
“Are you saying I’m still tangled up with Sean?” Myra asked coldly, glaring at Lyla.
“Miss Stark…” Lyla’s sudden movement surprised Myra. Lyla knelt in front of her, no longer the composed, refined pianist she once was. Now, she was just a desperate woman clinging to her last shred of dignity as a wife. “Please, I’m begging you—leave us alone…”
Lyla’s repeated words were nothing new—stop bothering Sean, leave them be, their unborn child was innocent. It felt as though Lyla had turned the tables, making Myra out to be the villain.
Myra thought bitterly, I wouldn’t have become the laughingstock of Bradfort City if it weren’t for her and Sean. My heart is aching, but I just want to sever all ties with her and the Chase family. I want a peaceful life, free from them, yet she won’t let me go.
“You’re a joke, Miss Fisher,” Myra said, her eyes devoid of emotion. She met Lyla’s gaze, her tone cold. “What makes you think I would still be obsessed with Sean?”
Lyla was visibly stung by the words, her face burning with shame. She opened her mouth but Myra continued, “Or do you think you’re so important that I’d go after someone I despise just to get back at you? Miss Fisher, it seems you’ve overestimated both yourself and Sean.”
The sting of Myra’s words hit Lyla hard. Her face paled, and her lip trembled. She muttered, “So, it’s true… You want to take revenge against me?”
“You’re mistaken,” Myra replied. “I’ve never sought revenge. On the contrary, I should thank you.”
Myra’s voice softened slightly. “Your actions have shown me Sean’s true nature. That’s why I went through with the divorce. Now I’m free from him, and I can start fresh. I can finally live a fulfilling life.”
She turned to walk away, but Lyla suddenly lunged forward, grabbing Myra’s wrist with surprising strength. Myra’s expression soured as she struggled to break free, not expecting Lyla—who appeared so fragile—to have the strength to hold her so tightly.
Without hesitation, Myra shoved Lyla’s hand away, and the force caused Lyla, who was wearing ballet flats, to stumble back. Just as she was about to fall down the stairs, a pair of strong hands gripped her waist, preventing her from tumbling.
Sean appeared, his face darkened with anger as he caught his breath. He had rushed to her aid, preventing her fall.
Lyla clung to him, her eyes red as she sobbed into his chest, “Sean… I just wanted to apologize to Myra on your behalf. Since our baby is coming soon, I hoped she would understand. I only want peace for our child… I didn’t expect…”
Her words trailed off, but those watching would likely believe that Myra had shoved Lyla on purpose.
Myra stood frozen in thought. She remembered their previous encounter at the café, where Lyla had deliberately provoked her into slapping her. She had even thrown a glass of lemon water at her own face to paint Myra as the villain. Today, Myra realized, Lyla was playing the same game.
Without another word, Myra turned and started walking inside. But Sean’s voice, cold and harsh, stopped her.
“Hold on!” he called out, his tone demanding.
She ignored him and kept walking, but his anger flared. Before she knew it, he had crossed the lobby, Lyla still in his arms, and blocked her path.
“Apologize to Lyla!” he demanded, his gaze hard as he stared at her. The conflict in his eyes was clear, but Myra couldn’t discern whether he was trying to provoke her or genuinely seeking an apology on Lyla’s behalf.
Myra’s brow furrowed in frustration. A slight sneer tugged at her lips, and she stepped around him, continuing on her way.
Sean, with a cold smile, threw another challenge her way. “Does the Hart family know about Myra Stark’s true nature?” he asked. “Maybe I should rephrase that—does Tony Hart know you’re such a vicious woman?”