Chapter 32 Chapter 32 Loraine noticed the flicker of discomfort on Blanche's face as she realized her daughter-in-law had overheard her scolding Sheila. Still, as the matriarch of the Simmons family, Loraine wouldn't tolerate anyone questioning her decisions. "Laney, this isn't your concern. You're not feeling well-go back to your room and rest," Loraine said, her tone softening a little as she addressed Blanche. Blanche ignored her, waiting silently for Hedwig to speak. Seeing Blanche's cold indifference and meeting the stubborn defiance in Hedwig's eyes, Loraine had no choice but to give in. Still, when she turned to Hedwig, her patience was wearing thin. "Stop bothering your sister-in-law. And don't you dare go whining to your brother about this." "I'll handle it," Loraine continued curtly. "I'll make sure Vincent breaks things off with that woman. If you don't want to raise that child, I'll see to it that the problem is taken care of." "And don't bring up divorce again." The dismissive, almost patronizing way Loraine spoke only made Hedwig feel worse. With tears welling in her eyes, Hedwig protested, "Mom, I'm your own daughter-not some ornament you left in the Yates family to hold your ground. I have the right to choose my own life. I want a divorce!" "If you dare divorce Vincent, then you're no daughter of mine. Don't even think about coming back here to the Simmons family as a privileged heiress. We don't take back disgraced women," Loraine snapped, her anger making her voice tremble. Hedwig never imagined she'd be trapped-unwelcome in her husband's house, yet unable to return to her own family. Devastated, she burst into tears, but a fierce determination flared in her eyes. "Fine! From now on, I'm not your daughter, and Tia is no longer your granddaughter. You don't get to control our lives. I'm taking Tia and leaving." "No matter what it costs, I will divorce Vincent." Blanche understood too well the pain of betrayal by a husband. She took Hedwig's hand and looked at Loraine, her gaze turning icy. "Hedwig, come with me." "I'm done with this house, too." Loraine's heart skipped a beat. She opened her mouth to stop them- But suddenly, a scream echoed from the hallway, followed by Tia's wailing. All three women paled and rushed toward the tearoom. Tia and Healy stood frozen at the door, Tia's face as white as a sheet. When she saw them, she ran straight into Hedwig's arms, sobbing uncontrollably. "Mommy, tell Uncle to stop hitting Daddy!" "Daddy is bleeding so much!" Hedwig pressed Tia's face into her shoulder, shielding her from the scene inside-where Vincent was being held up by two bodyguards, taking punch after punch. His face was swollen beyond recognition, battered and streaked with blood. Seeing Hedwig stunned, Blanche quickly told the housekeeper to take the children away. "Hedwig, help me..." Vincent gasped, barely audible. Across the room, Eddy sat quietly, his dark eyes cold and unyielding, the force of his presence making it impossible to meet his gaze. He spoke with chilling calm. "What gives you the right to call my sister's name?" As soon as he finished, the bodyguards' blows landed even harder, and Vincent howled in pain. Loraine rushed forward, trying to intervene. "Eddy, if you keep this up, someone's going to die! The Yates family has a lot of influence in Eclipsed Haven, and the Simmons family's business over there depends on them. Teach him a lesson if you must, but that's enough." Vincent, emboldened by Loraine's words, sneered, "If you don't let me go, my father will make you pay. So what if I had a mistress? Men do this all the time-it's just business. You're all hypocrites. Haven't you done the same?" "Who are you to judge me?" At those words, Blanche let go of Hedwig's hand. So even Vincent, all the way in Eclipsed Haven, knew about Eddy's affair with Jeannette. Did Hedwig know too? Was she helping them keep the secret from her? A cold wave of realization washed over Blanche. In a daze, Hedwig slapped Vincent hard across the face. "It's bad enough you've done such disgusting things-but how dare you slander brother?" my Everyone thinks she is an ugly and dumb girl, only her husband and herself know the truth. When will be the day that the shocking truth is revealed? Anyways, he will protect her for always.