I Quit Being a StepMother Novel

Chapter 37 The real competition officially began . +25 BONUS Rhea leaned in and whispered a few things to Louie . The latter nodded , looking like he would follow her lead . From his seat in the back left , Carter caught the exchange , and it irritated him . This pre - bid conference wasn't meant to announce the successful bidder on the spot . It was more of a formality . What really mattered was each company's actual capabilities , which would be carefully evaluated afterward . Over an hour passed before the conference finally wrapped and companies submitted their bidding proposals .

As Carter walked out with the crowd , his eyes kept scanning for Rhea . In the distance , Rhea was engaged in a deep conversation with the project owner , Jaden Dillon . The two were smiling . Carter felt an unexpected rush of anxiety because Louie was standing nearby , too . However , he didn't dwell on it . After all , Scott Group wasn't in the same league as Jamison Group . It wouldn't be long before the successful bidder would be announced . Carter felt certain of victory because he had noticed that Snider Group hadn't submitted a bidding proposal .

With Snider Group out of the picture , only Jamison Group had the strongest supply capability . Outside the venue , Rhea shook hands with Jaden . Her demeanor was calm and measured , neither too close nor too distant . She spoke with clarity and poise . Nothing about her suggested that she was an inexperienced worker . Upon seeing that , Carter , who was waiting for her in his car , couldn't help but frown . He wondered how Rhea knew so many professional terms . Had she been working with Louie behind him and picked up all this knowledge ? " Rhea .

" Just as she was about to get into Louie's car , Carter's voice rang out . She paused , then turned to look at him . " Get in , " he said , like it was an order . It was as if she had to get in the car the moment he said so obediently . And why should she do that ? " I still have work to do . " Rhea didn't even want to exchange pleasantries . Carter shot back , " Are you too busy to care about the kids now ? " That one line landed like a punch to her chest Louie smiled and said , " Go ahead , Ms. Ravelle . We'll talk later . " " I'm sorry . " With that , Louie entered his car and left .

Rhea walked toward Carter's car . " What's wrong with the kids ? " " Get in . " Carter's stubborn pride wouldn't let him accept anything less than compliance from her . 1/2 Chapter 37 +25 BONUS But Rhea stood her ground . " Just say what you need to say . " Lauren , who was also in the car , spoke up . " Rhea , don't do this . We're in public . Whatever it is , can't you two talk in private ? Let's not make a scene . Come on . Just get in the car . " Rhea kept her eyes on Carter . " So ? Do you actually have something to say ? " He didn't like her constant defiance these days .

Looking tired , he muttered , " Why can't you be more like Lauren ? Why can't you just talk to people without making everything a fight ? " Rhea let out a cold laugh . " If you stopped me just to waste my time , then let's save this conversation for when we're back in Colburn . " Once they were back in Colburn , she was going to file for divorce . Carter frowned . Suddenly , he got out of the car and grabbed her wrist . His expression was hard to read as he asked , " Honey , when did we become like this ? " Rhea looked at him .

For a moment , memories of their six years of marriage flashed through her mind . It was quiet and bland . Just an empty shell without love . That endearment now felt like a slap in the face . Carter's sudden gentleness was nothing more than a reaction to her slipping away and becoming something he could no longer control . Now , he was trying to use his authority and the little closeness they had left to keep her tied to him as his free nanny .

He wanted Rhea to keep obeying him , quietly accept his relationship with Lauren , cause no trouble , and help him maintain the illusion of a perfect , enviable marriage . His selfishness was so apparent now . And the clearer it got , the stronger Rhea's resolve became . " I didn't want it to be like this , " she said , trying to pull her arm free . But Carter wouldn't let go . " We need to talk . I'm not agreeing to the divorce . Even if it comes to that , you owe me an explanation first . "