The Ex-Wife's Redemption: A Love Reborn Chapter 130

Richard's eyes gleamed with a cold fury as he stared at Isabella, who remained huddled against the headboard, clutching the sheets tightly to cover her body.

"Miss Scott," he said with barely concealed contempt, "you're supposedly a guest of the Harding family. How exactly did you end up in my son's bed? My son who was so ill he could barely move last night, let alone engage in any... intimate activities."

The servants exchanged glances, finally understanding the situation. Isabella Scott, the supposedly dignified lady from Boston's elite society, had stooped to such desperate tactics to secure her position as Mrs. Harding.

Whispers filled the room, each one more damning than the last.

"Can you believe how shameless she is..."

"Sneaking into a married man's bed while he's unconscious..."

"What kind of respectable woman would do such a thing?"

Every whispered comment felt like a needle piercing Isabella's heart, humiliating her completely.

She burst into tears, her voice rising into a desperate wail. "Henry, I never meant for this to happen! I just missed you and wanted to see you. I had no idea it would turn out this way." Her voice broke as she continued, "You have to believe me! I didn't have any ulterior motives. You were the one who took off my clothes."

Henry's expression remained coldly impassive. "Isabella, I despise being lied to. You know better than anyone what really happened. The truth is clear to everyone here."

The room fell silent as Henry continued, "Given our history, I'm willing to let this incident go as if it never happened."

Tears continued to stream down her face, but they no longer moved him.

Richard nodded with satisfaction, having achieved his goal. His son's reputation remained intact. He motioned for the servants to disperse, then grabbed Catherine's wrist, pulling her toward his villa.

"Catherine, your behavior today has been extremely suspicious," he remarked, his eyes narrowing as he studied his wife. Like a predator sensing weakness, he scrutinized her appearance. "You're acting very strangely."

Catherine hastily pulled her hand away, panic flashing across her face. "I'm exhausted from playing cards all night. I need to sleep."

Richard stood in the small garden, frost still clinging to the grass, watching his wife's retreating figure with a contemplative expression. He pulled out his phone and called his assistant.

"I need you to investigate Catherine's recent whereabouts," he said in a low voice. "This is a confidential investigation—use external resources, not our usual people. Make it appear as if you're conducting the investigation under your own name, not mine."

He paused, his voice dropping even lower. "Report any findings directly to me and no one else. This matter stays strictly between us. No one else in the Harding family can know about this!"

After everyone had left, only Henry and Isabella remained in the bedroom. Isabella still huddled in the corner of the bed, her face streaked with tears and mucus.

"Henry," she sobbed, "you've misunderstood me completely. I would never do what they're suggesting!" Her voice quivered with emotion. "Last night, you kept saying you were cold. I was worried about you, so I held you to keep you warm. You shouldn't let your father's words mislead you. A woman's reputation is everything—how could I not care about mine? But I did it because it was you. Can't you see how much I care for you?"

Henry felt a profound emptiness as he looked at the crying woman before him. Once, she had been his guiding light, his white moonlight.

During his childhood, when other children had ostracized him because of his heart condition, when they isolated and looked down on him, only Isabella had stood by his side.

All those sweet memories, all those days of companionship, had dissolved into nothing. When had Isabella become someone who would scheme against him?

He closed his eyes, trying to suppress the disappointment and pain, but his thoughts unexpectedly turned to Sophia. That woman, when faced with setbacks, had never shed tears. Isabella's tears now only disgusted him. He knew that his idealized love had faded away; those beautiful memories would remain only in his heart. The past was truly past.

"I'll have the staff bring you some clean clothes," Henry said flatly. "You should return to the hospital. Let's not see each other for a while."

Isabella cried out desperately, "Henry, please don't leave me alone! I don't want to go back to the hospital—it's so cold and lonely there. Henry, don't go!"

But Henry walked away with resolute steps, never looking back.

The Harding family dominated the news in New York that day.

The video of Sophia insisting on divorce at Billy's birthday party had gone viral, reaching the top of trending topics within two hours. In addition to this footage, the revelation that Billy wasn't Henry's biological child spread like wildfire.

Internet users began viciously attacking Sophia for being unfaithful, claiming Henry had been betrayed by his wife and was raising another man's child.

Behind the scenes, Catherine was deliberately manipulating public opinion. Within half a day, Sophia's social media accounts were flooded with thousands of hateful comments. Even though Betty desperately tried to defend her friend, they were fighting a losing battle.

When Mark informed William about the online situation, the old man's face turned ashen with rage.

"Call every media outlet immediately," he commanded. "Anyone who dares to publish anything more about the Harding family will be blacklisted!"

He genuinely cared for Sophia and couldn't bear to see his granddaughter-in-law humiliated this way.

Mark acknowledged the order. "I've already delivered your message, sir. Anyone who continues to report on this matter will be blacklisted." He hesitated before continuing, "However, Mrs. Harding personally admitted that Billy isn't the young master's biological child. How should we handle this?"

William had watched Billy grow up; the boy was practically a carbon copy of Henry as a child. Yet Sophia had openly admitted...

After a moment of deliberation, William decided: "First, suppress the media coverage. Then arrange for Billy to take leave from school. He shouldn't attend kindergarten during this period."

His voice softened with affection, "Billy will stay with me. I'll personally look after him." His expression hardened again, "I want to see who dares to hurt my precious boy!"

He added firmly, "This video was certainly leaked by someone in the Harding family. Find out who released it—whoever it was will not be spared!"

The butler, receiving his orders, didn't dare delay and left immediately to carry them out.

Sophia had stayed awake all night caring for Mrs. Davis. As soon as she arrived at her department that morning, she noticed everyone looking at her strangely.

Thomas approached her, showing her the news circulating online without preamble. "Sophia, what's going on here?"

Six years ago, when he'd left New York, he had stood outside the Harding mansion for an entire night, even through pouring rain, waiting for Sophia to come see him. Unfortunately, he had waited until dawn without seeing her.

Now, hearing Sophia admit that Billy wasn't Henry's child, Thomas felt both shocked and excited.

Henry had lost his only advantage—even the child wasn't his! Thomas was certain he could win Sophia's heart now!

She handed the phone back to Thomas, looking directly into his eyes with remarkable calm. "Yes, it's true. Billy isn't Henry's biological child." She paused, her expression unchanging. "I don't know who his biological father is."

Thomas stared at her in shock as she continued, "Six years ago, I was raped. That's how I became pregnant with Billy. Henry never knew about this."

The horrific memory of that night was something she'd buried deep inside, something she'd never spoken about to anyone except Betty—not even to her husband, Henry.

Thomas stood there, completely stunned by her direct words.