Chapter 382
Irene noticed three fashionale young women nearby. One tallrl with highlighted hair was holding a selfie stick, livestreaming as she walked through the park. Her two friends fanked her, all three dressed in trendy outfits that sefesined social media influencer.”
The tall girl’s attention suddenly fixed on Adam, and she swiveled her phone camera in their direction. ‘Oh my God, you guys, look! A super hot guy in a wheelchair!” Her voice carried easily to where Irene and Adam sat.
Her thin friend leaned into the frame, eyebrows raised. “Damn, he is hot. Is he like some business tycoon or something?
The tall girl snickered, not bothering to lower her voice. ‘Business tycoon? As if! Successful guys aren’t usually disabled, you know what I mean?”
Irene’s body went rigid. She glanced at Adam, whose expression remained impassive, though she could see the slight tightening of his jaw. On the livestream screen, comments began flooding in:
“Zoom in on the hot guy!”
“Ask him what happened to his legs lol”
“Go interview him!”
Something fierce and protective rose within Irene’s chest. They can say whatever crap they want about me, but Adam? Hell
- no.
Without hesitation, Irene stood up and stepped directly in front of Adam, physically blocking him from the camera’s view. In one swift motion, she grabbed the selfie stick, her grip so tight that the tall girl’s eyes widened in shock.
“Turn it off,” Irene demanded, her voice dangerously quiet. “Now.”
The tall girl’s mouth fell open. “What the hell? This is my equipment!”
“And that’s my boyfriend’s dignity.” Irene’s eyes flashed like storm clouds. “You don’t get to use him as content for your
little show.”
The livestream continued rolling, comments now exploding about the confrontation. Irene didn’t raise her voice, but each word cut like a knife. “He is mine, and I won’t let anyone disrespect him, especially not for your viewers‘ entertainment.”
The tall girl took a step back, clearly rattled by Irene’s intensity. “We’re just livestreaming the park—”
“Save it.” Irene cut her off with a razor–sharp smile. “I heard everything. Your commentary, those nasty comments–I saw it all.” She stepped closer, suddenly seeming taller despite her average height. “You have no idea what I’ll do to protect him. You crossed a line today.”
business. And
The three women exchanged nervous glances as Irene continued, her voice gaining momentum. “First, decent human beings don’t comment on strangers. Second, my boyfriend is temporarily injured–not that it’s any of y third, even if he were permanently disabled, that would never be grounds for your mockery!”
By now, several parkgoers had stopped to watch, some pulling out phones. The air crackled with tension.
“Two options,” Irene stated flatly. “One: apologize to him now, delete all content, and post a public apology. Two: I call
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security, contact my lawyer, and file charges for harassment and invasion of privacy,
She held up her phone. I’ve alrently recorded your stream as evidence. Your call.”
The women exchanged panicked looks. The tall girl, confidence how evaporated, turned to Adam.
“Sorry,” she mumbled, barely audible.
“Louder,” Irene demanded. “And look him in the eyes when you say it.”
The girl swallowed hard and met Adam’s gaze. “I’m very sorry for what I said. It was completely inappropriate and disrespectful,”
Irene watched like a hawk as the girl ended her livestream and deleted the video. Only when satisfied did she step aside, eyes tracking the three as they scurried away like mice from a cat.
Turning back to Adam, her expression instantly
oftened. The ferce protector vanished, replaced by warmth.
Adam took her hand, his eyes shining with emotion. “Thank you for standing up for me like that.”
Irene sat down beside him, her fingers intertwining with his. “Nobody talks about you that way.” She smiled, half–joking, “Anyone who messes with you is picking a fight with me.
Adam felt something unfamiliar bloom in his chest–the sensation of being protected. Always the defender himself, this role reversal touched him deeply. He gazed at Irene, imagining the day his legs would be fully healed, when he could drop to one knee and ask her to be his wife.
Meanwhile, at the Sterling family residence, Rose paced nervously in the living room while her husband John pretended to read the newspaper.
“John,” she said hesitantly, “maybe we should make time to talk with Irene? She is our daughter, after all. If we sincerely ask for her forgiveness, perhaps she might give us another chance?”
John sighed, clearly torn between his pride and his conscience. Before he could respond, their butler appeared at the
doorway.
“Sir, Madam, the Haven couple is here to see you.”
Rose frowned slightly. “Haven? Which Haven family?”
“Mr. Marcus Haven and Mrs. Sophia Haven, the parents of Mr. Adam Haven, the bulter clarified.
John immediately straightened his posture. “Show them in. And prepare some tea.”
Minutes later, Marcus and Sophia were seated across from John and Rose in the living room. After exchanging pleasantries, Sophia delicately cleared her throat.
“Mr. and Mrs. Sterling, I’ve come to discuss your daughter, Irene Sterling. She is your youngest daugh
orrect?”
John nodded stiffly while Rose looked increasingly uncomfortable.
Sophia continued, her voice gentle but firm. “I must be frank with you. Given our Haven family’s status and position, we
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simply cannot allow my son to be involved with your daughter
Rose’s eyes widened slightly as Sophia went on. “Your daughter bas three children, and from what I understand, she doesn’t even know who their iological father is. If my son were to be with her… well, imagine what people would say *`about our family.”
She offered a sympathetic smile. “Of course, I recognize your daughter’s character isn’t bad. She’s raised those children on her own, supported herself–she’s clearly capable. I’m sure she’ll find a suitable man. But that man cannot be my son.”
The room fell silent. John looked uncomfortable but said nothing. Rose, however, slowly straightened her posture, something shifting in her expression.
“Mrs. Haven,” Rose began, her voice surprisingly steady, “as a mother, I feel compelled to speak for my daughter.”
She took a deep breath. “Yes, Irene has three children. She has endured hardships most people can’t imagine. But these experiences have shaped her into someone with extraordinary resilience and compassion. I believe these qualities are far more valuable than any considerations of social matching.”
Rose eyes grew more determined. “In the past, I failed to protect my daughter properly. But today, I will not allow anyone to diminish her chance at happiness. If Adam truly loves her, and she loves him, then as parents, our role should be to support them, not stand in their way.”
She looked directly at Sophia. “Irene deserves the best love this world has to offer. And determining who is right for her should be her choice alone, not a decision made by us parents.
John stared at his wife in astonishment, never having expected her to defend their daughter so resolutely.
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