The teacup shattered against the back of Hendrix's head, and blood began to seep through his hair, trickling down

his neck.

Ophelia froze in place while Grant rushed forward. "Mr. Freeman, are you alright? This- " Before he could finish, Hendrix raised a hand, blocking Grant from checking on his injury.

He then pulled out a handkerchief and wiped the blood off his neck. Once that was done, he turned to Beatrice and asked in a cold, emotionless voice, "What's his name?"

Beatrice visibly trembled at the question before looking at him in disbelief.

Hendrix simply stood there, meeting her gaze, as if patiently waiting for her answer. After a moment, when it became clear she wasn't going to respond, he simply nodded and pulled out his phone to have someone investigate the matter.noveldrama

Beatrice knew Hendrix well, so she immediately understood his intentions the moment he took out his phone. Without hesitation, she grabbed his hand to stop him. "What are you doing?"

"If you won't tell me, I'll just have someone look into it myself," replied Hendrix matter-of-factly.

"And what would you do after you found out?" She lowered her eyes. "This is my personal life."

Hendrix let out a low chuckle. "Is that so? But aren't you the Mrs. Freeman? So, how could you be in a relationship with another man? Dad isn't around anymore, and Grandma is getting on with age. Can you really bear to see her upset?"

It might have sounded like Hendrix was concerned about Ophelia, but to Beatrice, it sounded more like ruthlessness. She knew what he really cared about-and it definitely wasn't Ophelia's feelings.

No. What he really cared about was the company shares under Ophelia's name.

He was well aware he would also be implicated if Beatrice made Ophelia mad. Such a clear and undeniable conflict of interests made Beatrice break out in a cold sweat on the spot. She stared at Hendrix standing before her, and for a moment, she felt a chill in her heart.

Hendrix turned toward Ophelia. "Grandma, why don't you head up first? I'll have a proper discussion with Mom. about this. Don't worry. I promise I'll handle this properly

Ophelia still bore traces of anger on her face, but after talding a look at Hendrix-at the blood on his head- she ultimately chose to suppress her emotions. She shot a final glance at Beatrice before signaling her handmaid to help her upstairs.

Soon enough, the other household staff in the living room quietly withdrew as well, leaving only Hendrix and Beatrice behind.

The bleeding on Hendrix's head had already stopped. He calmly folded the bloodstained handkerchief and tucked it into his pocket. Then, his gaze shifted toward Beatrice.

"Well? Have you made your decision? Are you going to end the relationship yourself, or shall I do it for you?"

Beatrice scoffed. "Why should I end the relationship? Hendrix, I am your mother."

"I know that very well." Hendrix smiled faintly at her. "But isn't what I'm doing now exactly what you've taught me since I was a child? That everything should be approached from the perspective of gaining something?

"And wasn't it you who once said that I'm not the only heir to the family'

business? Aren't you just dragging me

down by causing a scene like this?"

There was a trace of confusion in Hendrix's voice, as if he genuinely couldn't understand why Beatrice was behaving so at odds with what she thought.

"Or is it that, in your eyes, my sacrifices are a given, but when it comes to yourself, it suddenly becomes a matter of 'true love above all'?"