Mission: From Divorcee to Millionaire

Selena kept her cool.

"That's our matter, not yours," she said, dismissively. There was no reason to explain anything to him.

"How is it not my business?" Everett shot back, his tone icy. "If the kid stays with you, how can you be sure he won't be bullied by the Campbell family? Let's be real, even if you and Callum tie the knot, he's the eldest grandson. He can't just walk away from his kid." "And once you have a child together, will Callum still consider little Mateo his own? What's Mateo supposed to do then?"

His pointed questions weighed on Selena's heart, leaving her momentarily lost for words. But she quickly caught herself, realizing she was being led astray by this jerk. She took a deep breath and replied, "Dr. Campbell will always see Mateo as his own." If they eventually... become a family. Even three years ago, when she and Callum were just friends, he had showered Mateo with love. She trusted Dr. Campbell completely.

Everett just stared at her, a smirk playing on his lips, mocking her innocence. He wasn't a good guy, that was clear. But Callum wasn't perfect either. Despite being seen as a gentleman and saint, his words three years ago had pushed their conflict to the brink. Yet, she was the only one who still believed in his pure heart.

Their conversation ended in a stalemate. Everett stubbed out his cigarette, stood up, and brushed off his jacket casually. "The kid stays with me for now. You've had him for three years; you can spare me some time, considering he's my son too."

Selena was having none of it. Being apart for just a day and night had her on edge-she couldn't eat or sleep. How long was this supposed to go on? More importantly, Mateo cried every time he saw her, begging not to stay. She worried about how he was being treated. Was he being mistreated?

"No way," she replied firmly. "Mateo doesn't want to stay with you. He's used to being with me. If you want to see him, you can... come visit him. I won't stop you."

Now that Everett had found them, she couldn't prevent him from seeing Mateo, but that was all she could allow.

Everett wasn't backing down either.

He stood with his hands in his

pockets, towering over her. He reverted to his business persona,

exuding authority, "If you want toet

stay with your son, move backe home. Otherwise, there's nothing to discuss. Don't forget, even if you start a lawsuit now, it'll take at least six months to settle. I'm ready to wait if you are."

His words reignited Selena's anger. It was all about using Mateo as leverage, forcing her to

compromise-or else endure the heartache of being apart from her other words, if she couldn't

son.

give him what he wanted, he wouldn't give her what she wanted either.

Everett chuckled quietly, stopped looking at her, and turned to leave.

Selena stood there, frozen, her hands clenched so tightly that the veins on the back of her hands stood out.

When Everett walked into the guest room, Mateo looked up eagerly from the bed. But upon seeing his dad, whom he considered the bad guy, his head dropped, and he refused to engage.

Everett smirked again. Was this stubborn kid really his? Ever since finding out he was the father, the kid hadn't shown an ounce of affection, just irritation.

He strode over and picked the boynoveldrama

up. Mateo squirmed unhappily, disliking him even more. Not only did he bully his mom, but he was also marrying someone else, and in Mateo's eyes, he didn't measure up to Mr. Callum.

Everett hit him with a hard truth, "Your mom's leaving, go say goodbye."

Mateo's face fell, and the tears came again. "No, I want my mom. She promised she wouldn't leave me!"