Ch. 1151..1155

Chapter 1151 Haytham took two more steps to the side. Sylvia did not even need to look at their phones to know what happened.

She glared at Haytham. “Haytham , you helped Madam Springsteen set me up before, and now this. What is wrong with you? Did | do something to you?”

She had no contact or exchange with the man; there was not even a word that was spoken. Haytham got nervous and avoided Sylvia's gaze. He looked around nervously and quickly fled.

The students quickly gave chase.

Isabel and Liam went after him as well. Together with the students, they surrounded Haytham. Haytham shouted at the students, “Do you all want to continue the competition? Stay out of my way!” The students stared at him without moving.

Sylvia came over with her frosty gaze. “It isn't your call to remove them from the competition. If you keep threatening them, I'll tell the president that you instigated them to do this.”

Haytham‘s expression changed. He shouted, “You have

the nerve to do this because you're Master Carter’s wife. If you weren't his wife, Ms. Springsteen would have been the competition judge, not you!” Sylvia frowned. Before he could continue, the students said, “Mr. Lunder, we saw Ms. Ross painting live today. You are also a well known painter yourself. Don't you think Ms. Springsteen‘s painting is not as impressive as Ms. Ross‘s?”

“Hmph. Mr. Lunder, don't tell me you're just another wannabe painter.”

Haytham‘s expression turned bitter. He got even more nervous when he saw Odell behind Sylvia and staring at him from a condescending position.

Haytham unconsciously stepped back, but the students stopped him from leaving. “Apologize to Ms. Ross immediately!” one of the students cried.

Isabel put her hands on her hips and bawled, “Say sorry to my Mommy, or you won't be walking out of that door today!”

Haytham gulped in fear. The little commotion started to gather a crowd. Despite knowing some people in the crowd, none of them had the gall to help him.

Lily was nowhere to be found as well.

Apologize? He was Madam Springsteen‘s nephew from a distant relative. Why should he apologize to Sylvia?

His gaze shifted and then started to cry at the crowd, asking for help. “Help! They are ganging up on me! | didn't do anything! They are trying to beat me up because | said Sylvia‘s painting sucked...”

Before he could finish, Odell's towering figure walked past Sylvia and strode to the cowardly man. His towering figure and his grim look enhanced his dominating aura. It felt like he could crush a man with his aura alone.

Haytham was silenced. He choked on his words and his face started to turn pale.

Things started to quieten down. The students continued to surround him, and no one dared to even gasp loudly, let alone help him out of the sticky situation.

Haytham continued to step back but was blocked by the students. His legs turned weak, and he fell to the ground. Madam Springsteen had once told him about Odell. Odell was in charge of the Carter Corporation which was worth a few Springsteen Corporations. Not only was the man capable and young, but he was also influential and powerful, someone even the Springsteens feared.

Haytham immediately regretted his earlier words. He stuck his face on the ground and cried, “I am sorry, Master Carter. | shouldn't have accused or slandered Sylvia. Please forgive me. Please!”

Chapter 1152 Odell peered down at Haytham emotionlessly. “So, did you instigate them?” he asked.

Haytham instinctively tried to deny it, but when he met the man‘s frosty gaze, he got nervous. He was at a loss for action and unconsciously said, “Yes, yes, | did it. | didn't know what | was doing. | just thought of ending Sylvia‘s career...”

Odell‘s expression remained frosty. “Did you also help Madam Springsteen set Sylvia up?” “Yes. Madam Springsteen forced me to. | just did what she told me.”

Odell‘s furrowed brows added a layer of ferocity to his handsome face. “What did she tell you to do?” Haytham quivered. Sylvia‘s expression shifted. She said in a small voice,“ Odell, that's a long time ago. Just forget it.”

Carter Corporation and Springsteen Corporation were partners, and they were in front of a crowd, so it was inappropriate to reveal the schemes that would affect the working relationship between the two companies in public.

Odell continued to stare at Haytham. “Speak!”

Haytham nervously said, “Yes, yes... When Sylvia did the live demo at Master Springsteen’s event and you were still engaged to Ms. Springsteen, Madam Springsteen wanted to teach Sylvia a lesson so that she would stay away from you.

“Madam Springsteen came to us after the event and told us to spread the news of her shoddy painting, forcing her to leave the art scene. We learned that Sylvia was eating at a restaurant, so we went there, said something to her, and made her leave. That's it! That's all we did!”

Haytham continued, “Master Carter, | swear that's all | did. Nothing else! It was all Madam Springsteen‘s idea!” The spacious hall immediately went quiet as only Haytham‘s anxious gasps were heard.

Everyone else widened their eyes in disbelief , including Simon, Christopher , Master Springsteen , and Lily who had just arrived. Master Springsteen wore a grim expression while Lily’s face turned pale.

Haytham sat on the ground wretchedly, begging the man to spare him as he wept.

However, Odell continued to stare at him coldly. “You have two options: leave Westchester and never come back, or stay here and live like a walking corpse.”

Haytham‘s expression changed. ‘I'll leave! I'll leave Westchester immediately and never appear before you!” Odell then glanced at the two students behind Haytham.

The two students stepped aside and opened up a path for Haytham to leave.

Haytham crawled and ran out of the building without pause. He disappeared from everyone's sight after he went out the door. Odell returned to Sylvia and swapped his grim expression for a warm one.

“Let's go have lunch.”

He carried Flint from Sylvia single-handedly and held her hand.

Sylvia regained her composure and pursed her lips.“ Okay.”

She then smiled at the students. “You guys were just deceived, so | don't blame anyone of you. Just go back and prepare for the competition and leave all this behind. Okay?”

The students originally thought Odell would come after them after he dealt with Haytham, but after listening to Sylvia's words, they realized that he did not even look at them. They sighed a breath of relief and smiled apologetically at Sylvia.

Sylvia left with Odell, Isabel, and Liam.

Chapter 1153 The family of five soon left the crowd's sight. The crowd soon regained their composure and dispersed while talking aboutwhat just happened

"| didn't know Haytham was such a dick." "Who would have thought? We assumed she wasjust Ms Springsteen's simp.

No one knew he would do something like this.” "Don't you think Madam Springsteen is the bitch here? Syivia paintedpoorly due to her condition, and the woman used it to force

her out of the art scene.

She even wanted to destroy Sylvia after that.

That's really bitchy." "| bet she's doing this for Lily.”

"Don't you know that the engagement was a fake? Lily and Master Carter never really gotengaged

Lily said it herself that they pretended to be engaged for the sake of their project, so how would Madam Springsteen not know about it?"

“Then, why did she setSylvia up like that? Does she really think Lily and Master Carter would be together?" "| guess Lily likes Master Carter as well." The discussion slowly

faded as the crowd scattered Simon and Christopher exchanged a quick gaze before they left with a heavy look on their faces.

Lily clenched her fists and said to her grandfather," Grandfather, | don't know what they are talking about.

Grandmother wouldn't do something like that." Master Springsteen glared at her.

"We are alone now.

If you continue to spew lies out of that mouth of yours, | will not allow you to call me Grandfather again."

Lily was shocked

She pursed her lips and kept quiet.

Master Springsteen flushed and almost got a heart attack because of what happened.

He gripped his walking stick tightly and took multiple deep breaths to calm himself down.

He pointed at Lily and said, "I've taught you since you were young, and | thought you became theperfect lady with manners. | really didn't expect you to conspire to do something like this with your grandmother!" Lily's fist remained clenched.

She argued, "I don't think we did anything wrong.

Sylvia didn't belong in the art association given her level of painting back then." "That's herproblem! It is up to Christopher and the other members to decide if she's fit to stay, not you! Everyone has to face ups and downs in their lives.

Can you guarantee that you won't fall to your lowest point in the

future? No! How could you andyour grandmother set up a poor lady who was pregnant and suffering from depression? Aren't you two ashamed of yourselves?" Lily was shocked.

"She had depression?" "What? You didn't know?" Master Springsteen asked.

Lily's expression changed.

“How did you know she was suffering from depression back then? Did she tell you?" "She didn't tellme anything.

| saw it with my own eyes

She was not painting in her best condition, and even if she was at her lowest, she could have painted something given herexperience and skills." A quick pause later, Master

Springsteen continued, "| had an old friend whose daughter is her therapist. Skylar, | believe is her name

She's a great psychologist and my old friend spoke about her to me when we chatted

Her daughter treated Sylvia before and confirmed that Sylvia was dealing with severe depression She hurt herseff a lot of times." Lily started to shake.

"How could she have depression? | don't know.

Grandmother and | didn't know she had depression

|.." Master Springsteen noticed the genuine nervousness on her face, and it softened his frosty look His granddaughter was a proud person, but she was far from evil

“Let's put that aside.

Chapter 1154 Confused , Lily looked at her grandfather. "Grandfather, what's wrong with me being the competition judge?" Master Springsteen looked at her seriously.

“Your painting has improved a lot since last time.” Lily's eyes gleamed with delight, but before she could smile,her grandfather said, "But it's not enough to make you a good

judge yet.

Others might not say anything about your painting, but as your grandfather, it is my duty to tell you the truth.”

Lily's expression froze

She frowned and argued, "Are you saying that my painting is mediocre?" "That's right.

You might look good while you paint, but you are not there in terms of skills yet

You lack the idealization and experience, so you need to practice more."

Master Springsteen was reluctant to hither with the proverbial pail of cold water, but it was a fact.

He pursed his lips and sighed.

"Compared to Simon and the other two veterans, your painting is too far behind.”

Lily clenched her fists and askedreluctantly, "What about compared to Sylvia's?" Master Springsteen looked at her.

“Don't you know your own level? Her painting is there.

Need | elaborate more?" Lily pursed her lips tightly and her fists remained clenched.

She refused to accept the fact that she was sub par.

She was the eldest daughter of the Springsteens, a musical prodigy idolized by many.

Why must she accept defeat from a woman with no background? "Lily, Sylvia is a really talented painter. Her attainments in art are not something easily achievable.

Your background and musical talents are much better than hers, so there's no wrong in accepting your shortcomings. No one can be at the top in every field, even men.

You and Odell are destined to be nothing more than business partners, so don't go after Sylvia just because you losthim." Master Springsteen tapped on her shoulder.

"There's still time before the competition.

Go to Christopher and tell him that you are quitting as a judge.

Let's go home.” The elderly then walked outside with his walking stick after saying what heneeded to say. Lily was stunned on the spot.

Her head was lowered and her fists remained clenched.

Her body felt stiff, and she remained still for quite a while.

1 LT 11 The black MPV shuttled through the busy commercial street.

Isabel and Liam sat in the rear seat while playing with Flint; Odell and Sylvia were in frontof them.

Sylvia knew Odell was not much of a talker, but the grim expression on his face told her something was wrong. She poked him, but his giant hand caught her wrist.

He held her tightly, and his expression remained solemn.

"What's wrong?" Sylvia asked in a small voice.

“Nothing,” he said grufly

Sylvia remembered what he said to Haytham.

She continued, "lt happened a while ago. I'm fine now."

He remained silent

The car took a turn into the parking lot of a busy street filled with food stalls,

Sylvia pursed her lips

She planned to talk to him alone afer they got home.

Odell got out of the car and carried Flint into his arms:

Sylvia held Isabel and Liam at her side

There were all kinds of food stalls, restaurants, and eateries on the street.

Sylvia and Isabel went on a food-hunting spree.

Liam followed them around and carried the food they bought.

The little boy was almost crushed by the amount of food they bought before they decided to settle down in a hotpot restaurant. Odell seemed to have made a reservation, so the waiter politely guided them to the room on the second floor.

The hotpot restaurant was known for its delicious soup and fresh ingredients.

Other than Flint, who was too young to eat, and Odell, who was busy putting the ingredients into the pot, Sylvia and theothertwo kids had a marvelous feast

Chapter 1155 After a satisfying meal, the family went home.

The kids fell asleep on the way home. When they arrived home and got out ofthe car, Sylvia and Odell carried them back to their room

Aunt Tonya and Sebastian were in the living room.

Sylvia tugged on Odell’s sleeve after putting the kids to bed and whispered, "Let's go back to our room!"

He hummed a reply before turing around and stridingaway without waiting for her.

Sylvia furrowed her brows

She carefully closed the door before she strode to her and Odell's room.

The door was left open, so she went in without knocking,

"Why didn't you tell me about what happened?” the man asked gruffly

Startled, Sylvia looked at him with surprise

His towering figure leaned beside the door and his stem expression shadowed his handsome features.

He peered down at her, waiting for her answer.

Sylvia looked into his eyes.

"It's history.

If | didn't run into Haytham today, | wouldn't even have remembered." "Why didn't you tell me back then?”he asked. Sylvia frowned.

"| had no idea that you faked your engagement with Lily back then, and after we got back together, | lostmy memories. | only remembered it recently."

He pursed his lips

Sylvia mustered her courage and stared into his eyes.

Aslight staring contest later, he said, "Tell me everything that Madam Springsteen and Haytham did to you."

's in the past now, so why don't you justlet it go?" Sylvia felt it was unnecessary to bring it up after all this time. "| want to know," he said coldly.

Sylvia pursed her lips

He walked closer to her, lifted her chin, and said softly," Tell me.

| promise | won't get mad.

| just want to know who bullied you," "Okay." As husband and wife, they should always understand what each other had done or hadbeen through.

If someone framed him or set him up, she would want to know as well

Sylvia tried her best to recall all the details and said, “ After that'painting' was unveiled, Haytham and the others forced me to leave all the chat groups and the association together.

"| also ran into them when | was having dinner. They sneered and mocked me, and filmed me while | was running away from them.

The owner thought | was trying to dine and dash, so he chased after me for the money, so Haytham caught it on his phone and triedto make a big deal out of it.

| paid the owner and ran. "When | got to the street, | was stopped by Madam Springsteen's car.

She came down and told me she was the mastermind behind it.

She wanted to give me a lesson and ruin my reputation so that | can't survive in the art scene. She even warned me if | get close to you or the Carter residence again, she'll make sure Isuffer the consequences.” She looked at him after the revelation He studied her, and his expression looked grimmer than before She pouted and said, "Odell, come on. it's history. don’t care anymore." Odell hugged her into his arms and held her tight. No wonder she had avoided him back then whenever he tried to get her attention it was not just because he was engaged with Lily, but it was also because Madam Springsteen had warned her to keep her distance. The fact that she was pregnant back then and suffering from depression made him feel terrible His brows were tightly locked and his expression tured frostier than before. The Springsteens and his grandaunt, Ramona, had teamed up to trick him. They had lied to him that Flint was not his son and used that to make a scene. They had even set Syivia up behind her back, trying to keep her away from him

They must have assumed that he would never care or was too foolish to care.