Chapter 5 Don't Lose It In Front Of Me

The housekeeper came out of the kitchen carrying dishes. Hearing Janna's words, a troubled look crossed her face, and she seemed like she wanted to say something but held back.

She wanted to speak up, but didn't dare.

Michael thought about what happened at the art exhibition today, and anger welled up inside him.

He irritably pushed away Janna's hand and stepped forward: "Don't worry about her. She can go wherever she wants. Tomorrow I'll take you and Susan out for a nice meal, and we can eat whatever we want."

Hearing this, Janna immediately beamed with joy.

"That's great! Dad's the best! Being with Susan is way more fun than being with Mom."

"Mom just nags me to study and go to classes I don't like. She goes on and on every day - it's so annoying. I'm just a kid! I want to play when I want to play, not learn all that useless stuff!"

Michael frowned slightly, feeling an almost imperceptible stirring in his heart.

Actually, he knew that Seraphina did all this for Janna's future.

He was about to tell Janna that Seraphina meant well and that she shouldn't talk about her mother that way.

But thinking about her behavior today, that feeling vanished instantly, leaving only irritation.

Suddenly, his phone rang in his pocket.

It was Susan calling.

He immediately put away his irritated expression, his face turning concerned.

"Susan, what's wrong? Are you feeling sick again? Where does it hurt?"

On the other end, Susan's voice carried a hint of hesitation.

"Michael, I'm fine, I feel okay, don't worry. There's something I'm not sure if I should tell you?"

Michael held the phone, full of confusion.

Susan always spoke her mind - why was she suddenly so hesitant today?

He frowned: "It's okay, just say it."

Susan paused, as if gathering great courage, before carefully speaking.

"Michael, I saw Seraphina. She was having dinner with a strange man, sitting very close together, looking quite intimate..."

"But she's always been devoted to the family. Do you think... could it be Seraphina's brother?"

Hearing this, a dark glint flashed in Michael's eyes.

Seraphina was an only child - she didn't have any brother!

So she wasn't coming home not because she was upset about the exhibition, but to meet another man.

She didn't care about this family at all.

She didn't care about him, and even less about Janna!

"Where? Send me the restaurant address."

Michael's voice was ice-cold, his eyes full of hostility.

At the restaurant, Seraphina was sitting with a gentle, kind-looking man.

The two were chatting happily.

He was Seraphina's senior, Patrick Jenkins.

He had studied under her mother Natalie years ago, and was now a renowned painter internationally, with superb skills and a unique style.

Moreover, Patrick was kind and very talkative, without the melancholy and aloofness of other painters, and was well-liked in the circle.

Seraphina knew that after leaving the art world for seven years, getting back in would be incredibly difficult - she needed someone influential to guide her.

And Patrick was the perfect person!

Patrick strongly agreed with her idea of returning to the art world.

He smiled warmly: "Seraphina, I've always said you have exceptional talent. It's such a waste for you to give up painting."

"Don't worry, as long as you're willing, I can help you and introduce you to famous galleries and collectors both domestically and internationally."

At this point, Patrick's face showed a hint of guilt, and he sighed: "It's just that I'm useless. Besides helping you with your career, I can't do anything else."

After all, the Talbot Family's financial empire was powerful - as a painter, there was no way he could compete with them.

Seraphina smiled gently and said soothingly: "Patrick, don't say that. I'm already very grateful that you can help me."

"If Mom were here, she would be so pleased."

"Seraphina, what a coincidence, you're eating here too?"

Just as they were chatting happily, an affected voice came over.

Seraphina turned toward the sound - Susan was standing not far away, wearing a fake smile.

Seeing her, Seraphina's expression immediately darkened.

She didn't want to interact with Susan and said coldly: "Not really a coincidence, because I don't want to see you."

Hearing this, Susan's smile froze instantly, and her eyes immediately reddened.

"Seraphina, are you still mad at me? But what did I do wrong to make you so unhappy? Tell me, and I'll change, okay?"

Watching her put on this act, Seraphina just felt disgusted!

She spoke without mercy: "Yes, I'm mad at you, and just seeing you makes me angry."

"So Miss Dixon, could you please stay away from me and stop bothering me? And drop that fake act - I'm not buying it."

Susan's face turned pale from Seraphina's words, her eyes filling with tears...

"Seraphina, how can you treat me like this?"

The next moment, she suddenly reached out and grabbed Seraphina's wrist, her voice pleading: "Seraphina, please don't hate me. I'm willing to apologize—"

Seraphina's eyes widened, completely shocked by Susan's shamelessness.

"Susan, let go of me! Stop pretending!"

She raised her hand and forcefully pulled away!

"Ah..."

Just as Seraphina broke free, Susan cried out and fell backward as if losing control...

In that critical moment, a large hand steadily caught her waist and pulled her into an embrace.

It was Michael.

After confirming Susan was safe, he stared coldly at Seraphina, as if he wanted to tear her apart.

"Seraphina, apologize to Susan right now."

Seraphina paused slightly and laughed coldly: "Why should I apologize to her? She was the one holding onto my hand and wouldn't let go. She deserved to fall!"

"Why?"

Michael's face turned dark. Looking at Susan crying sadly in his arms, he was furious.

"Because you're too cruel! Susan's health is fragile - how could you bear to hurt her?"

"Seraphina, you're so heartless!"

Seraphina's face suddenly darkened. She hadn't expected Michael to understand her, but this disgust and accusation was enough to make her give up completely!

Her husband didn't love her.

"Michael, if you're blind, go get your eyes treated. If you're deaf, go get your ears treated. Don't act crazy in front of me! You can't even tell right from wrong - what gives you the right to talk to me?"

Michael was completely stunned.

He didn't expect Seraphina to speak so harshly, his face full of disbelief.

"Seraphina, have you lost your mind! You're actually cursing at me?"

"I haven't lost my mind. I've just woken up."

Seraphina met his gaze fearlessly, speaking clearly: "Michael, when I loved you, of course I was willing to cherish you and give up everything I had."

"But now I don't love you anymore. In my eyes, you're nothing. Understand?"