Chapter 1049Â
A resounding slap echoed through the room.Â
No one even saw Thomas put any real force into it, but Silas was sent stumbling, collapsing in an undignified heap at Sharon’sÂ
feet.Â
Thomas feigned surprise, his voice a lazy drawl. “Silas, weren’t you just about to teach her a lesson? What’s with the sudden kowtow? Feeling a pang of guilt toward your late mother?”Â
Rick and Scott’s faces darkened, but they remained silent.Â
When would Silas learn? Every time he raised a hand to Sharon, he was the one who ended up humiliated.Â
Especially with Thomas in the picture. The man’s skills were unnerving.Â
Richard himself had once remarked how, during a standoff with an armed oil tycoon, Thomas had disarmed the man in the blink of an eye. His speed and precision were on another level entirely.Â
The fiery sting on his cheek finally jolted Silas back to his senses. His bloodshot eyes burned with pure hatred, locked on Sharon.Â
Scott stepped forward to help him up. “Silas, you’re exhausted. Go home and get some rest. We’ll hold things down here. I’ll call you the moment Victoria wakes up.”Â
Half of Silas’s face was already swollen, flushed an angry red.Â
No one spoke in his defense. No one dared blame Sharon.Â
They all knew if they tried, she’d flay them alive with a dozen razor–sharp retorts.Â
Besides, Silas had struck first.Â
Lately, his temper had been a live wire–volatile and impulsive, a far cry from his usual sharp composure. Maybe this slap was exactly what he needed to snap out of it.Â
Richard finally spoke, his tone carefully measured. “Silas, go home for now. The room is too crowded; it’s not good for Victoria’sÂ
recovery.”Â
Silas touched his throbbing cheek. Shame and pain twisted together, hardening his expression into something cold. Without another word, he shot Sharon a final, venomous glare, then turned and left.Â
Richard acted as if the confrontation had never happened. His expression softened as he turned to Sharon. “Sharon, where is Theo? Victoria woke up briefly earlier and was asking for him. She misses him terribly.”Â
Sharon’s reply was even. “Carter has taken Theo for now.”Â
With Victoria’s kidnapping, it was clear Richard’s focus was elsewhere. While the Kalen family wasn’t monstrous enough to harm a child, Sharon wasn’t about to take any chances.Â
She had called Carter late that night and asked him to take Theo away immediately.Â
Nearby, Samantha’s interest was piqued at the mention of Carter’s name.Â
She’d seen photos and videos of Sharon online. She already knew Sharon was beautiful–Carter wouldn’t have married her otherwise.Â
But in person, Samantha realized the images hadn’t done her justice. Sharon was even more stunning up close, carrying an elegant poise that showed no trace of the weariness of marriage or motherhood.Â
Samantha’s gaze drifted past her–to the man standing quietly in the background.Â
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Chapter 1049Â
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Thomas.Â
He was simply too striking to ignore.Â
As if sensing her scrutiny, his eyes met hers.Â
They were fathomless–deep, dark pools that gave away nothing. That single glance made Samantha’s breath catch, a primal instinct warning her of danger.Â
This man… He was the head of the Ferrero family–the one Johanna was so obsessed with?Â
Samantha knew Johanna’s tastes well; after orbiting Victoria for so long, her standards were impossibly high. Any man who could capture her attention was extraordinary.Â
But one look was all it took to know–Johanna would never be able to handle him.Â
Samantha quickly averted her gaze, forcing her attention back to Victoria.Â
Then Scott asked, his tone grave, “Samantha, are you absolutely sure it was the oil magnate and the financier who orchestrated Victoria’s kidnapping?”Â
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Chapter 1050Â