The Captain I Married by Chance novel Chapter 533

Leonard was thoroughly irritated by Cynthia's hysterical nagging.

"Are you quite finished? This is a hospital, not a flea market. Will you only be satisfied when you've dragged the Hayes family name through the mud completely?"

Cynthia's eyes widened in sheer disbelief. "I am the one dragging the family name down? Are you even listening to yourself?"

Leonard felt a massive headache coming on, the shrill pitch of her voice grating on his every nerve.

He realized he had spoiled this mother-daughter duo far too much over the years, making them dangerously arrogant and utterly ignorant of their own limits.

Looking at the woman who had once used every seductive trick in the book to win him over—now just a well-maintained but blatantly tacky trophy wife—Leonard felt a wave of disgust.

He thought back to Grace, who had maintained her elegant poise even when they were struggling to make ends meet, never once embarrassing him in public.

For a fleeting second, Leonard felt a sharp pang of regret for choosing the wrong woman.

But it was only for a second.

Leonard had always been profoundly selfish. He had chosen Cynthia back then because he craved the thrill.

Now, he was choosing Nora because her skills and powerful connections could elevate the Hayes Group to new heights.

So, he played favorites without a shred of guilt.

"You're taking this too far. I understand you're upset about Mia, but don't hurl baseless accusations. This has nothing to do with Nora, so stop slandering my daughter."

Hearing Leonard say the words "my daughter" in reference to Nora made Cynthia shake with pure rage.

"Leonard, you..."

Frowning, he impatiently cut her off. "You keep claiming you're doing this for Mia, but you haven't even stepped foot inside to check on her."

"You know perfectly well whether you actually care about her right now, or if you just have an ulterior motive."

Cynthia was stunned by his brutal honesty.

A flicker of guilt crossed her face, instantly replaced by fiery indignation.

She knew Leonard far too well. Since he had decided to suck up to Nora, he would see it through to the bitter end.

The man was ruthless when he wanted something.

Clashing with Nora right now would only hurt her and Mia.

So, Cynthia smartly chose a tactical retreat.

"Move! If her own father won't care for her, I will!"

She aggressively wiped a fake tear away, dropping a bitter parting shot. "I suppose you never care about a child that didn't come from your favorite's womb."

Without waiting for a reply, she spun on her heel and marched into the hospital room.

"Honey—" Leonard called out out of pure habit as she walked away without looking back.

Cynthia's footsteps faltered.