One night stand with my president(chapter 446)

 

Chapter 446: Born to Be Used

Adeline's brow twitched slightly.

Britney again-using her own daughter as a pawn.

Disgust rose in her chest.

But the child was innocent.

She was clearly just doing what her mother told her.

Adeline gently patted Alondra's head and said, "Go back for now."

Even with a child, she couldn't make promises she couldn't keep. That would be irresponsible.

But as if trained beforehand, Alondra didn't move. She stood rooted in place and spoke in a voice that sounded oddly rehearsed. 

"Please help me. I really don't want to be separated from my mommy."

Harrison's hand suddenly reached out and pulled Adeline behind him, shielding her without hesitation.

His presence was overwhelming enough to make Alondra instinctively shrink back, lips sealed tight.

Still, Harrison didn't lash out at a child,

Instead, he turned his cold gaze on Britney and said, "If you've got something to say, say it to me. Stop using my girlfriend as a shield."

Britney's face stiffened.

Of course she didn't dare confront Harrison directly.

If she had the guts to do that, she wouldn't have sent her daughter to do her bidding in the first place.

Every time she met with Alondra lately, she'd coach her carefully on what to say to Adeline.

And if Alondra cried or refused, she'd guilt-trip her.

"Alondra," she'd say, "you're living a good life now with the Thomsons, eating well and dressed nice. But I'm suffering. I gave birth to you, raised you. Can't you help me, just a little?"

Yes, she knew she was exploiting a child-but she was desperate.

If she wanted into the Thomson family, she had to use every weapon she had, and Alondra was by far her best one.

She wasn't stupid. She could tell Harrison cared deeply about Adeline.

And Harrison would listen-maybe even fully believe-whatever Adeline said.

So if she could just get Adeline to soften, maybe Adeline would put in a good word for her.

But Adeline looked kind, especially with Alondra.

Yet she was sharp as a tack and wouldn't budge an inch.

Harrison, still standing between them, now turned to Edward.

"And you," he said coldly. "You're just going to stand there and let her use a child like this? Looks like no matter whose father you're trying to be, you're failing at all of it."

Edward's expression twisted in shame, but he had no retort. What could he say?

Without another word, Harrison took Adeline's hand and led her away.

He knew Adeline had a strong moral compass.

No matter how soft she was toward Alondra, she'd never bend to manipulate someone on Britney's behalf.

But that didn't mean he wanted her dragged into this mess with his family either.

After they left, Britney stood frozen for a while.

The way Harrison had looked at her-like she was already a corpse. Cold. Ruthless. Terrifying.

"What are you spacing out for?" Edward's voice snapped her back.

She turned to glare at him. "Are you even a man? Letting your son put you in your place like that-unbelievable."

"Enough," Edward muttered, rubbing his temples.

"You're the one who insisted on coming here for lunch. Lorenzo was finally starting to ease off me about making a decision. Now that Harrison's seen us together with Alondra, who knows what he'll say to Lorenzo?"

Britney snorted. "So what, you're thinking of cutting me loose now?"

"Don't be ridiculous."

"Oh really?" she sneered. "Then why did you panic the second Harrison called you out?"

Edward faltered.

He went quiet . Guilt shut his mouth.

The truth was, ever since returning to the Thomson family, he'd become increasingly addicted to the luxury.

He wasn't the same man he'd been before, and his desires had changed too.

Yes-he had thought about leaving her.

But Britney wasn't stupid either.

She knew if Edward really wanted to get rid of her, all it took was a single sentence.

She couldn't afford to push too hard, so she turned her frustration on Alondra instead.

She stormed up to the girl, jabbed a finger into her forehead, and snapped through clenched teeth, "Useless brat! Forgot everything I taught you, didn't you? Can't even speak up for your own mother?"

Alondra's head drooped. She didn't dare say a word. Her eyes reddened.

She didn't understand and thought, "Grandpa has agreed to let Dad take me and Mommy back into the family. So why isn't Dad doing it? And Mommy didn't seem like she wanted to go either. Isn't our old life good enough? What are they chasing now?"

Alondra couldn't wrap her head around it.

"Enough," Edward finally walked over and snapped.

"Don't take it out on the kid."

Harrison's words had clearly hit a nerve. He didn't want to be the kind of father both his son and daughter resented.

"You think I want to?" Britney's voice cracked.

Her eyes were red now too. "All of you get to move forward with your lives-what about me? Did I waste ten years with you for nothing?" Edward clenched his jaw. The woman he had once thought he loved now only grated on his nerves.

He found himself thinking of Myra again. 

Maybe he really was just a man who didn't know what he wanted. A man with no spine.

After leaving the restaurant, Harrison didn't show any particular emotion. He simply got in the car with Adeline and headed back to the office.

There was a meeting scheduled that afternoon.

During the meeting, the HR Director introduced the company's new Deputy Director.

That was when Adeline suddenly thought of Ronan.

He had already resigned from the Thomson Group.

According to Harrison, Ronan would be heading abroad to study in just a few days.

No matter what had happened between them, Adeline genuinely hoped he'd have a bright future ahead.

She had assumed Isaline would go with him.

But Isaline showed no signs of quitting. On the contrary, she was busier than ever, throwing herself into her work as she meant it. If she kept this pace up, she wouldn't be just an assistant for long-within a few months, she'd probably be promoted to full-fledged software developer.

Clearly, she wasn't planning to leave with Ronan.

Meanwhile, Ronan was at the detention center, sitting face to face with Milania.

His departure date was approaching fast.

So today, he came to see her one last time.

Milania's sentencing wouldn't be finalized for a while.

Once it was, she'd be transferred to prison.

And once she got there-she was never getting out again. Not in this lifetime.

The thought alone sent a sharp pain through

Ronan's chest.

"Mom," he said quietly, "I'm leaving."

Milania looked pale and haggard.

But the even as she heard those words, her expression didn't change. She simply let out a flat

"Mm."

Ronan's eyes turned red.

He said, "Mom, please take care of yourself. Try to get your sentence reduced..."

Milania gave a low, mirthless laugh. "Reduced? You really think the Thomsons would let that happen? You think Harrison would?"

She looked straight at him, her voice thick with scorn. "You couldn't even protect your own mother. Pathetic. How did I end up with such a useless son?"