Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 1424

Just as Abriella placed the thermos on the bedside table, the panicked, forceful voice of Steve's assistant echoed from the hallway outside.

"Madam! Mr. Michell gave strict orders that he is not seeing anyone today! Please, you need to leave!"

Abriella was still trying to process the commotion when the door to the ward was violently shoved open. Ella, having just been denied entry by her own son next door, marched into Sylvia's room with a face like thunder. Without bothering to knock, she stood imperiously at the foot of the bed, glaring down at Sylvia with vicious contempt.

"Sylvia, I never realized you were so remarkably capable," Ella sneered. "If you had used these seductress tricks to keep Steve hooked on you back then, none of this mess would have happened in the first place, would it?"

Sylvia's face was already ashen against the pillows. Hearing those words, her brows knitted tightly, and her complexion grew even paler.

Beside the bed, Abriella's protective instincts flared instantly. Stepping forward, she shielded Sylvia and fired right back without an ounce of politeness. "Excuse me, ma'am, but I really do not like your tone! If Mr. Michell wants to pursue Sylvia, that is his own desperate business. He has legs and a mind of his own. Who forced him? If you cannot control your own son, what gives you the right to barge in here and take your anger out on our Sylvia?"

Ella did not even spare Abriella a glance. Ignoring her completely, she kept her piercing gaze locked onto Sylvia's pale face.

"I believe my people have already delivered the message to you," Ella stated coldly. "Since your Moore family is still shamelessly plotting to have you remarry Steve, then you need to prove your worth with tangible actions. You go and convince Steve to obediently return home and assume his rightful place as the heir!" Her eyes narrowed dangerously, and her voice rose to a shrill pitch. "If you fail, neither the Moore family nor you, Sylvia, will ever find a foothold in the Capital again! And that pathetic agricultural project you are running? I have a hundred ways to make it vanish from this city permanently!"

Listening to these vicious threats, Sylvia's chest began to heave erratically. She violently turned her head aside, clutching her chest as a devastating fit of coughing overtook her.

Gripping the armrests of his wheelchair, Steve delivered his ultimatum through gritted teeth. "I am telling you this right now. Even if Sylvia and I remarry, I will never return to the Michell family to be your puppet heir!"

Ella completely lost her composure. Her high heels clicked frantically against the floor as she rushed toward his wheelchair, softening her tone in a desperate attempt to compromise. "Steve, please do not act out of spite! If you really love Sylvia, I promise I will not stop you two from being together. I can even help the Moore family rise back to power in the Capital!" She reached out, desperately trying to grab his arm. "But you have to come back and inherit your father's corporation! I only came here hoping Sylvia could talk some sense into you!"

Steve violently threw off her hand, letting out a mocking, derisive laugh. "Help the Moore family rise to power? And then what? You will use the Michell family's so called charity to hold their lifeline hostage, controlling Sylvia for the rest of her life!"

He knew exactly how his mother operated. He was far too familiar with the sickening, manipulative power plays of elite families.