Seeing Elaine Hughes run out to chase after Silas Lancaster while Robert Lancaster was slumped on the sofa, gasping for breath and looking half-dead, Ethan Sutton felt helpless. He knew that pressing the issue further today would be pointless, so he could only take his two security guards and leave the Lancaster Villa for the time being.

Not only had this trip been a complete waste of time, but he’d also been infuriated by Melody Summers. The more Ethan Sutton thought about it, the more he felt it just wasn’t worth it.

Robert Lancaster and Elaine Hughes’s stance was already crystal clear—they weren’t going to give up the villa.

Not only that, but they had also disowned Sylvia Lancaster.

’This couple is so heartless,’ Ethan Sutton thought. ’They can abandon a daughter they raised for over twenty years just like that. Their feelings for their son probably don’t run that deep either.’

’It seems that even if I go and cause a scene at Simon Lancaster’s workplace, they still won’t hand over the villa.’

’If I really go cause trouble at Simon’s company, he’ll definitely lose his job, but the news that I was cuckolded will also get out.’

’Not only would I gain nothing, but it would end in mutual destruction. That’s not the outcome I want.’

The more Ethan Sutton thought about it, the more his anger became uncontrollable. After a moment’s consideration, he called Sylvia Lancaster directly.

Meanwhile, Sylvia Lancaster was in a guest room at the Hayes family villa, eating a fish maw and chicken soup that the nanny had brought her.

The fish maw was of the highest quality, costing tens of thousands for just a small amount.

It was a time-consuming stew. First, dried scallops and pumpkin had to be simmered into a golden broth. Then, large pieces of thick, deep-sea fish maw were added to the pot along with abalone and chicken, and everything was cooked until the broth became smooth and viscous.

Normally, not even Clara Hayes got to eat this stew. Lily Adler had specifically instructed the kitchen to prepare it for Sylvia Lancaster.

After spending the past few days with her, Sylvia Lancaster could see how generous Lily Adler was toward her. She slowly let down her guard and began to accept this woman who was her biological mother.

Although Lily Adler was only Hector Hayes’s mistress, parents like these were far better than the impoverished ones she had previously imagined for herself.

Just as Sylvia Lancaster finished her last spoonful of soup and was wiping her mouth with a wet napkin, her phone rang.

Sylvia Lancaster glanced at the screen and was slightly surprised—it was Ethan Sutton calling!

Ever since their falling-out in the hospital room, the two hadn’t seen each other. Even the divorce proceedings had been handled by lawyers.

Sylvia Lancaster had assumed they would go the rest of their lives without ever speaking again. She never expected Ethan Sutton to call her.

Sylvia Lancaster hesitated for a moment before answering, "Hello, Ethan?"

The next second, Ethan Sutton’s furious roar came through the phone, "Sylvia Lancaster, how dare you answer my call!"

Startled by his shouting, Sylvia Lancaster instinctively tried to calm him down. "Ethan, please don’t be angry..." she said softly.

But she had barely started speaking when Ethan Sutton cut her off.

Ethan Sutton continued to yell, "Sylvia Lancaster, I told you before! You’re going to spit back every single cent my family spent on you! So, where’s the money?"

Sylvia Lancaster’s heart sank.

Before answering, many possibilities had flashed through Sylvia Lancaster’s mind. She’d considered that Ethan Sutton might be calling to curse her out, or maybe even to ask her to get back together. But the most likely reason, she’d thought, was that he wanted her to come pick up the belongings she’d left at the Sutton family’s house.

But she had never, ever imagined that Ethan Sutton would be calling to demand money from her!

Sylvia Lancaster pressed her lips together and replied, "Ethan, you know I left your family with nothing. All of my things are still at your house. Where would I get any money...?"

She had been rushed to the hospital that day, and Clara Hayes had brought her directly to the Hayes’ residence from there. All she had on her were a few changes of clothes that Elaine Hughes had packed. She hadn’t brought anything of value at all.

’It was one thing for me not to ask the Sutton family for my jewelry, clothes, bags, and shoes back, but how could Ethan Sutton possibly turn around and demand money from me!’

But Ethan Sutton just snorted. "Don’t give me that. You have to pay back every cent my family and I spent on you, even if you have to sell yourself to do it! Otherwise, I’ll go to Simon Lancaster’s company and cause a scene. I’ll get your precious brother fired!"

Hearing his vile words, Sylvia’s own anger flared. They had already dropped all pretenses, after all. She snorted, her usual gentle demeanor gone, and replied in a low voice, "Then go make your scene! Don’t waste your breath on me!"

Sylvia Lancaster was done coddling Ethan Sutton. She felt he was like a child, throwing a tantrum at her whenever there was a problem and indiscriminately blaming her the moment something didn’t go his way. She’d had enough of it long ago.

Before, Sylvia Lancaster had to rely on Ethan Sutton for money. Living under the Suttons’ roof, she had no choice but to humor him.

But things were different now! She had divorced Ethan Sutton, so he wasn’t giving her any more money. Plus, she now had her biological mother, Lily Adler, to back her up. She no longer had to walk on eggshells around him!

Ethan Sutton had never heard Sylvia Lancaster speak to him with such an attitude. He was stunned for a second, then his fury intensified. "Fine, Sylvia Lancaster! So this is your true face! I knew your usual gentleness was all an act! You fraud!"

Sylvia Lancaster just snorted coldly and didn’t bother to reply.

Ethan Sutton roared with rage, "Sylvia Lancaster! How could you do this to me? I was so good to you! Everyone told me not to marry you, but I married you anyway. I was completely devoted to you, so why did you cheat? Tell me!"

Sylvia Lancaster snorted. "Ethan Sutton, don’t give me that act! You think you’re so devoted? That you’re some kind of romantic hero? After we got engaged, didn’t you go chasing after Zara Walsh? The only reason nothing happened is because she wasn’t interested in you! Did you ever stop to think that you had a fiancée back then?"

"Let’s be honest, Ethan Sutton. I’ve had more than enough of you. You’re just a child who’s never been weaned—eternally selfish and self-centered. A man like you deserves to be cuckolded for the rest of your life!"

With that, Sylvia Lancaster hung up, completely ignoring Ethan Sutton’s curses from the other end of the line.

Sylvia Lancaster recalled all the grief she had endured from the Sutton family ever since her engagement to Ethan. His condescension, Mr. and Mrs. Sutton’s indifference—it had all made her feel incredibly wronged. Now that she had finally vented her frustration, she felt a sense of cathartic relief.

Just then, Clara Hayes walked in. Seeing the look on Sylvia’s face, she asked in surprise, "Sylvia, why do you look so upset? What happened?"

Sylvia Lancaster jumped, startled. She looked at Clara Hayes, her gaze slightly evasive.

Ever since finding out the truth about her birth, Sylvia Lancaster had felt a little guilty whenever she was around Clara Hayes.

She and Lily Adler were planning to find the right moment to tell Hector Hayes the truth. Sylvia had been mentally preparing herself, knowing that her "friendship" with Clara was likely coming to an end.

So that Clara Hayes wouldn’t suspect anything, Sylvia could only tell her about Ethan Sutton’s phone call.

She explained that because she had lost the baby, Ethan Sutton’s family was demanding she repay them for all her living expenses during her time with them.

Clara Hayes was utterly shocked. She slammed her hand on the table in a rage. "That Ethan Sutton! Can he even call himself a man? You’ve already suffered enough from the miscarriage, and he has the gall to blame you for it? He’s divorcing you over this? What in the world do the Suttons think you are?!"