Chapter 439: The Old Master Upholds Justice

Hearing this, Nathan gently raised his hand and ruffled her hair. "Good. At least you’re thinking clearly. It’s good that you see it that way."

’As long as she can relax, face reality, and not let other things affect her mood, that’s all that matters.’

As Nathan ruffled her hair, Anne gazed at his handsome face, momentarily dazed. She quickly snapped out of it and said, "No, I’m talking about your uncle. Don’t change the subject."

Nathan said, "I already know about my uncle!"

Anne said, "What if he tries to interfere? What then? And on top of that, Lana’s family doesn’t want her to get a divorce either! I think it’s ridiculous! Tell me, why is it that when a woman gets beaten, everyone still expects her to be the sensible one and be considerate of her husband?"

Nathan looked at her. "Because most people in this world are ignorant! They only ever think of themselves. The pain isn’t theirs, so all they have to do is open their mouths and spout a few empty words. What does it have to do with them? Who do you think is really going to empathize with the victim’s suffering?"

Anne looked at him and said, "Nathan! Thank goodness I have you."

’At least he’s a reasonable person!’

’Otherwise, those people would be the death of her sooner or later.’

For the next two days, Lana Langley continued going to work as usual.

Anne didn’t know what Lana was planning.

’But she was very clear on one thing: she had already done everything she could.’

’She couldn’t exactly drag Lana by the collar and force her to divorce Ryan.’

’Everyone has the right to make their own choices!’

’Freedom isn’t about doing whatever you want; it’s about not having to do what you don’t want to do.’

That afternoon, when Anne arrived at the Linden residence, she saw Ryan Linden again. He was blocking Donna at the entrance. The boy’s face was pale with fright, and he clearly didn’t want to go with him.

Ryan reached out to grab his son. "Your mother is about to divorce me. If you don’t leave with me, what do you think you’re doing staying here?"

"I want to stay with my mom!" Donna struggled.

Ryan said, "I’m your father! You have my last name. Even if we get divorced, don’t even think about staying with your mother! Got it?"

Ryan was itching to give Donna a few slaps.

’It felt like Lana had really turned the boy against him!’

Anne said, "Have you forgotten where you are? If you want to discipline your son, do it at your own home."

Ryan looked up and shot Anne a glare. "Stay out of my business! If you push me too far, you’ll be the first one I deal with."

"Scared you speechless, haven’t I?"

Anne rolled her eyes at the man.

Ryan knew she wasn’t afraid of him; she had Nathan Fawcett in her corner.

Anne looked at Donna. "Donna, come over here."

Seeing Anne, Donna seized the moment while Ryan was distracted and scampered over to her.

Ryan was furious to see his own son act more affectionately toward an outsider than to him. "You don’t even look who you’re running to! You little brat, I’m your father."

Seeing the little one’s eyes brimming with tears, Anne wiped them away before glaring coldly at Ryan. "Have you ever wondered why he’d rather get close to an outsider like me than even give you a second glance? Why the mere sight of you is enough to scare him to tears?"

Ryan was speechless.

Anne continued, "Only a pathetic failure of a man like you would blame everyone but himself! Forget it. Talking to you is a waste of breath. You’ll never understand that, not in this lifetime."

’After all, if he were a reasonable man, how could he raise a hand to his own wife and child?’

’A man who only knows how to bully his wife and kids at home is the most despicable kind of scum!’

Having said her piece, Anne led Donna through the door.

Ryan watched them go, absolutely furious, but he was powerless to stop them.

He didn’t dare lay a hand on Anne.

...

As Anne led Donna into the house, the boy asked, "Auntie, do you think my dad will divorce my mom?"

Anne asked, "Do you want them to get a divorce?"

’Hearing the word "divorce" come from a child’s mouth always felt heartbreaking.’

Donna nodded in response to Anne’s question. "I’m scared my dad will hit my mom again! He’s really scary when he hits her."

’Even though Ryan wasn’t targeting the child directly, growing up in that environment was bound to affect him both physically and mentally.’

Anne looked at Donna and said, "Don’t worry so much! Everything will be alright. Donna, you’ll grow up, and one day, you’ll be able to protect your mom too, right?"

Hearing this, Donna looked up at her and nodded vigorously. "I’m already grown up now."

"Then no more crying!" Anne smiled. "Let’s see you smile!"

’Thinking of how happy-go-lucky Ian was these days, and then looking at Donna, she couldn’t help but sigh at how important the circumstances of one’s birth were.’

’At least Ian had a wonderful father like Nathan.’

’Of course, Ian had probably had a pitiful time before, too, but he had pulled through it now.’

Anne led Donna inside, only to find Victor Linden there.

Seeing him, Anne frowned. "What are you doing here?"

Victor snorted. "What am I doing here? Why shouldn’t I be here? Are you, an outsider, trying to manage the Linden Family’s business now?"

Knowing Master Linden disliked Anne, Victor felt no need to give her any respect.

Anne wasn’t bothered by what he said. She simply replied, "I’m an outsider, but... you don’t seem to be part of *this* Linden household, do you? Your house is next door! You should head on back!"

"You brat!" Victor shot back. "Nathan’s the one who asked me to come! Who the hell do you think you are? If you’ve got the guts, go tell Nathan to kick me out! Do you really think just because you’re Ian’s mother, you can marry into the Linden Family? Take a look at yourself! Master Linden would never approve of you! You can’t even get past him, and you still want to marry Nathan? In your dreams!"

Victor had barely finished speaking when Master Linden stepped out of the elevator.

When Victor saw him, his expression changed instantly. "Second Uncle."

Master Linden looked at Victor. "I could hear you all the way from the elevator. Who were you yelling at?"

Victor said, "At her, of course! Not only does she spend all day seducing Nathan and wrapping him around her little finger, but now she wants to meddle in the Linden Family’s affairs! I know you only let her in here for Nathan’s sake, Second Uncle."

Master Linden stood next to Victor and said, "You’re getting bolder and bolder."

Victor glared at Anne. "You hear that? Master Linden is telling you off! You brat."

Anne was speechless.

She glanced at Master Linden.

But Master Linden was continuing what he’d been saying. "I was talking about *you*!"

Victor’s face fell. "Second Uncle."

Master Linden sat down. "Causing such a scene in this house, what do you think you’re doing? Has this place become your home? Is it your place to lecture someone Nathan brought here? He is the Family Head now, after all. Are you trying to show him no respect at all, is that it?"