I Quit Being a StepMother Novel

+25 BONUS Chapter 61 Rhea dropped the trash bag . Her fingertip was bleeding . She tore the plastic open and pulled out a few very thin needles from the clothes inside . She let out a cold laugh . So , this was the kind and gentle Lauren Carter that Lauren Carter talked about ? Rhea had never claimed to be a saint , but she had been raised by parents who had instilled a moral compass she was proud of . If Lauren were truly a woman burdened by hardship , forced by circumstances to leave her children , then Rhea would treat her like a cherished guest upon her return .

But the moment Lauren returned , it was clear that she had only one person in her sights - Carter . She said that she missed the kids , yet to frame Rhea , she deliberately dropped the glass jar that contained the body lotion and cut Arielle's foot . What kind of mother would do that ? Rhea put everything back in the bag and called for a household staff member . Devan personally came to attend to her . " Yes , Mrs. Jamison? " He noticed the redness in her eyes and felt a pang of ache in his chest . He couldn't do much , but he could at least carry out her instructions well . " Keep this .

Give it to Carter when he gets home , " Rhea said . " And throw everything of mine from the walk - in closet . " He wondered if Rhea was leaving . Devan wanted to stop her , but he was just a butler , after all . He thought that Rhea was such a wonderful person , yet Carter ... " Go , " Rhea said softly . Her whole body felt heavy . It was already 7:30 pm . Her birthday no longer seemed worth celebrating . By 8:30 pm , the house started to fill with voices . Carter and Lauren returned with the two kids , along with a few of the old friends Lauren had invited .

The house grew busier , but somehow it felt increasingly unfamiliar . Rhea didn't come down . The moment Lauren walked in , she started giving orders . " Have the kitchen prepare something for our guests . " But the maids didn't move as they only took orders from Carter and Rhea . " Where's Rhea ? " Carter asked . 1/2 Chapter 61 +25 BONUS " Upstairs , " a maid replied . Just then , Devan stepped forward , holding a box in his hands . " Mr. Jamison , Mrs. Jamison asked me to give this to you . Would you like us to throw it out ?

" He had peeked inside it earlier and saw the torn photo , so he waited until there was a crowd before handing it over . Even he could tell that none of the household staff would have dared touch that photo . There was only one likely suspect . Lauren , supported by one of her friends , glanced over curiously . " What is it , Carter ?" Mia came over , too. She assumed that it was some petty stunt Rhea pulled to win Carter back . Devan opened the box . Everyone nearby leaned in to look . As soon as it was opened , the torn photo on top immediately caught everyone's eyes . Lauren flinched .

" Dad ! That's our family picture ! Why is it ripped up ? " Arielle recognized it and quickly took it out of the box . Carter's face darkened . " You and Adrian didn't do this ? " " No way ! Why would we rip up Mom's face ? " Arielle replied . Lauren's lips trembled as she said , " Carter , it's Rhea's birthday . It's getting late . Shouldn't we get started with the cake ? " ( 1 She had completely forgotten to clean this up when she moved out of the master bedroom . However , Devan wasn't done . " Mr. Jamison , this bag should be Mrs. Jamison's clothes .

There are a few needles placed inside . " Devan had felt the bag earlier and thought it contained clothes , so he hadn't opened it . But when he saw a few needles poking out , he began to suspect something . " I saw that Mrs. Jamison had a band - aid on her finger earlier . Who was careless enough to leave needles in her clothes ? " Devan asked , looking toward the maids . 212 Chapter 61 +25 BONUS " Upstairs , " a maid replied . Just then , Devan stepped forward , holding a box in his hands . " Mr. Jamison , Mrs. Jamison asked me to give this to you . Would you like us to throw it out ?

" He had peeked inside it earlier and saw the torn photo , so he waited until there was a crowd before handing it over . Even he could tell that none of the household staff would have dared touch that photo . There was only one likely suspect . Lauren , supported by one of her friends , glanced over curiously . " What is it , Carter ? " Mia came over , too . She assumed that it was some petty stunt Rhea pulled to win Carter back . Devan opened the box . Everyone nearby leaned in to look . As soon as it was opened , the torn photo on top immediately caught everyone's eyes . Lauren flinched .

" Dad ! That's our family picture ! Why is it ripped up ? " Arielle recognized it and quickly took it out of the box . Carter's face darkened . " You and Adrian didn't do this ?" " No way ! Why would we rip up Mom's face ? " Arielle replied . Lauren's lips trembled as she said , " Carter , it's Rhea's birthday . It's getting late . Shouldn't we get started with the cake ? " ( 1) She had completely forgotten to clean this up when she moved out of the master bedroom . However , Devan wasn't done . " Mr. Jamison , this bag should be Mrs. Jamison's clothes .

There are a few needles placed inside . " Devan had felt the bag earlier and thought it contained clothes , so he hadn't opened it . But when he saw a few needles poking out , he began to suspect something . " I saw that Mrs. Jamison had a band - aid on her finger earlier . Who was careless enough to leave needles in her clothes ? " Devan asked , looking toward the maids .