Chapter 433: Chapter 433
961 words<html><head></head><body><p>He really heard.</p> <p>Rage burned in Theodore Valdemar's eyes.</p> <p>He bit out each word with deliberate force.</p> <p>"How dare you do this?"</p> <p>Irene Valdemar's gaze darted away.</p> <p>She quickly adopted an innocent expression.</p> <p>"Honey, what are you talking about?"</p> <p>The man let out a cold laugh.</p> <p>"If you weren't guilty, would you still call me 'honey' after being slapped?"</p> <p>"You should have started cursing me out by now."</p> <p>A chill ran down Irene's spine.</p> <p>Her fingertips trembled slightly.</p> <p>"I thought you were drunk..."</p> <p>"I haven't touched a drop tonight."</p> <p>Theodore's voice was icy.</p> <p>She swallowed with difficulty.</p> <p>Her tone took on a wounded note.</p> <p>"What exactly happened?"</p> <p>"Was it worth treating me like this?"</p> <p>Tears slid down.</p> <p>They traced paths on her well-maintained face.</p> <p>Her eyes and brows still held a fading charm.</p> <p>"I was pampered and spoiled growing up too."</p> <p>"You hit me just like that."</p> <p>"Where does that leave my dignity?"</p> <p>Her voice grew softer.</p> <p>Her head bowed lower.</p> <p>She resembled a bullied young wife.</p> <p>Her complaints held a coquettish note.</p> <p>Even a hint of seduction.</p> <p>Theodore remained unmoved.</p> <p>He watched her coldly.</p> <p>From head to toe.</p> <p>From toe to head.</p> <p>A mocking smile suddenly touched his lips.</p> <p>"I never knew you were such a good actress before."</p> <p>"Or that you had such nerve."</p> <p>"What 'pampered and spoiled'?"</p> <p>"But in the Atlante Gardens..."</p> <p>"You weren't saying that."</p> <p>He heard!</p> <p>Irene's soul trembled.</p> <p>Her eyes shifted from confused to terrified.</p> <p>Finally, only panic remained.</p> <p>"Honey, let me explain."</p> <p>"I didn't mean to argue with Emilia."</p> <p>"Did you see us from the balcony?"</p> <p>"Irene!"</p> <p>Theodore's voice was sharp.</p> <p>"Still not telling the truth?"</p> <p>"I didn't see."</p> <p>"I heard it with my own ears!"</p> <p>"I heard you arguing."</p> <p>"I heard the truth about that year."</p> <p>"You planned for her to fall back into the kidnappers' hands."</p> <p>"You hid it and delayed."</p> <p>"You made the police miss the rescue window!"</p> <p>"You made her disappear for over twenty years!"</p> <p>"Unable to reunite with her family!"</p> <p>"You're the one to blame!"</p> <p>"No wonder Mom and Dad distanced themselves from you all these years."</p> <p>"They suspected you long ago."</p> <p>"They just had no proof."</p> <p>"And they were focused entirely on finding Emilia."</p> <p>"That's why they let you be until now."</p> <p>Irene continued playing dumb.</p> <p>"What are you saying?"</p> <p>"What truth? What delay?"</p> <p>"Emilia and I argued since we were kids."</p> <p>"It was just bickering in the garden."</p> <p>"How can you take angry words seriously?"</p> <p>Theodore's gaze was sharp as a blade.</p> <p>"Still trying to fool me?"</p> <p>"Are you too naive?"</p> <p>"Or do you take me for a fool?"</p> <p>"If you admitted it frankly."</p> <p>"I might still respect you a little."</p> <p>"Emilia was right."</p> <p>"You're just pure evil."</p> <p>Irene swayed on her feet.</p> <p>He heard!</p> <p>He really heard!</p> <p>"Yes! I did it on purpose!"</p> <p>"I meant for her to be captured!"</p> <p>"I wanted her dead!"</p> <p>"Are you satisfied now?!"</p> <p>Slap—</p> <p>Another strike landed.</p> <p>Theodore trembled with anger.</p> <p>"Why?!"</p> <p>"She was your sister!"</p> <p>"Sister?"</p> <p>Irene laughed wildly.</p> <p>"She was an Atlante too!"</p> <p>"And the biological one!"</p> <p>"Always one step ahead of me!"</p> <p>"You liked her too!"</p> <p>"Why?!"</p> <p>"Just for that?"</p> <p>"You wanted her dead?!"</p> <p>"Exactly! I envied her! I was jealous!"</p> <p>"Irene, you're insane!"</p> <p>"Hahaha... Yes, I'm insane!"</p> <p>"I went crazy over twenty years ago!"</p> <p>"Seeing you being affectionate with her."</p> <p>"I wanted to strangle her!"</p> <p>"Even now!"</p> <p>"Watching your eyes glued to her."</p> <p>"As if you could watch her until the end of time."</p> <p>"Do you know how much I hated it?!"</p> <p>"Theodore, you are my husband."</p> <p>"We are family!"</p> <p>"It's been over twenty years."</p> <p>"Why can't you forget her?"</p> <p>"Even though she's married with children."</p> <p>"You still gaze at her longingly."</p> <p>"Seeing David Sullivan must make you jealous, right?"</p> <p>"Wish he would disappear?"</p> <p>"You look at David Sullivan."</p> <p>"The way I look at Emilia."</p> <p>"We're both pitiful creatures."</p> <p>"Driven mad by unrequited love!"</p> <p>Theodore's voice was low.</p> <p>"You're wrong."</p> <p>"No matter how jealous, I would never harm him."</p> <p>"Because I know—"</p> <p>"Without him, Emilia still wouldn't be mine."</p> <p>Irene laughed maniacally.</p> <p>"Then we really are different."</p> <p>"I got rid of Emilia."</p> <p>"And you became mine!"</p> <p>"Hahaha..."</p> <p>"So I wasn't wrong."</p> <p>"Emilia disappeared."</p> <p>"You married me."</p> <p>"We had children and lived over twenty years."</p> <p>"It was worth it!"</p> <p>Theodore's entire body went rigid.</p> <p>Irene continued twisting the knife.</p> <p>"If I'm the killer."</p> <p>"Then you're the bounty!"</p> <p>"The trophy!"</p> <p>"Eliminate the opponent and claim it!"</p> <p>"Of course I had to risk everything."</p> <p>"Was I wrong?"</p> <p>"When you get down to it."</p> <p>"You're the one who harmed Emilia."</p> <p>"Hahaha..."</p> <p>"Originally, I was used to Mom and Dad favoring her."</p> <p>"But it was your love for Emilia."</p> <p>"That triggered my jealousy."</p> <p>"That made me gamble everything."</p> <p>The man's fists clenched.</p> <p>His face twitched.</p> <p>Pain and regret warred in his eyes.</p> <p>He suddenly looked up.</p> <p>Emphasizing each word.</p> <p>"That time I slept with you."</p> <p>"Was that your scheme too?"</p> <p>Irene met his bloodshot eyes.</p> <p>She trembled all over.</p> <p>"Y-You couldn't resist temptation..."</p> <p>"I never touched you that night."</p> <p>Theodore stepped closer.</p> <p>His dark eyes were deep.</p> <p>"How did you get pregnant?"</p> <p>...</p> <p>The Atlante family kept watch on New Year's Eve.</p> <p>Florence Atlante wanted to stay up all night.</p> <p>Everyone disagreed.</p> <p>They finally compromised.</p> <p>"Not the whole night."</p> <p>"But we'll welcome the New Year after midnight before sleeping."</p> <p>Isabella Sullivan nodded.</p> <p>"That works."</p> <p>The old lady surprisingly had no objections.</p> <p>She was happy as a child.</p> <p>She loved being managed by Isabella.</p> <p>Isaac Atlante silently gave a thumbs up.</p> <p>As midnight approached.</p> <p>The Spring Festival Gala countdown began.</p> <p>Isabella and David Sullivan accompanied the elderly couple.</p> <p>Smiles on their faces.</p> <p>Sophia Sullivan curled up in a beanbag chair.</p> <p>Playing on her phone leisurely.</p> <p>Suddenly, a ringtone sounded.</p> <p>Caller ID—</p> <p>Alexander Laurent.</p> </body></html>