Chapter 559

Cedric's tone dripped with sarcasm, his icy gaze and expression instantly darkening Rina's face. "You have no right to blame me!" she snapped, her voice trembling with anger. "How could I possibly control what he overheard? I had no idea!" Those words had merely been idle gossip among the ladies during their afternoon tea—harmless chatter to pass the time. She never imagined her son would hear them, let alone take them to heart. Cedric's expression turned glacial. "The point isn't whether Joshua heard them." Rina paled again. His eyes bore into her, devoid of emotion. "Do you honestly think the Stone family is unaware of what you've been saying? Have you considered what would happen if someone repeated those words to Ariana—and named you as the source? How would you handle that? Do you really believe the Thomas family has the power to stand against the Stone family? Or even if they could, do you think they'd risk offending the Stone family just for your sake?" Rina flushed crimson, hum