Chapter 1643: Chapter 1643

“Did you see him?”

“No.” The woman spoke softly.

Bertha frowned slightly, her voice tinged with concern. “Well, now that he found you, why won’t you see him? I know you’ve always cared about him.”

The woman’s voice grew somber. “I don’t know how to face him, nor do I want to hear anything about his family. He’s successful, and I can see him on the financial news sometimes. That’s enough for me.”

Bertha sighed. “If you were really content, you wouldn’t be losing sleep and calling me in the middle of the night to talk. Marlinie, you know, besides your son, that man from the Howard family has been looking for you too. He still cares about you, and you care about him too, right?”

The woman’s tone turned sarcastic. “He cares about me? If he did, would he marry another woman so easily? Don’t cover for him!”

“But I heard that their marriage has been in name only for a long time. A few years ago, he sent her to live alone in Howard Mountain Villa by the river, and she can’t ever return.”.

The woman remained silent. “Their affairs have nothing to do with me anymore.”

Bertha knew further persuasion would be futile. “Alright, I won’t push. In a few days, the situation here will be sorted out, and I can come see you. We can talk then.”

The woman hummed in agreement. “Did you help with Lea’s homework?”

“She only finished one of the assignments you gave her. She’s been quite cranky lately. It’s been causing me a lot of worry.”

The woman reassured her. “Don’t worry, Lea is a good kid. She won’t disappoint you when she grows up. But that stepdaughter of your husband’s is not so easy to handle. Be careful.”

Bertha paused. She was touched and comforted by her friend’s concern. “Yeah, I know. I will.”

“I told you that it’s not easy being a stepmother, yet you married a man who’s always in trouble for love.”

“And you, weren’t you also driven by love?”

On both ends of the phone line, the two friends sighed in unison, then hung up:

Ah, love was the greatest trial in every woman’s life.

After hanging up, Bertha realized that her husband and stepdaughter were nowhere in sight and hurried off.

When Sophia and her father returned to their table, only Marcus and Lea were still eating. Tristan’s seat was empty.

“Marcus, where’s Tristan?” Sophia asked, puzzled.

Marcus shrugged. “Went to the restroom again.”

Sophia became more suspicious.

Marcus was always concerned about Tristan’s safety; he even wanted to accompany him to the restroom earlier. He only relaxed when Lea went with him.

Why was he now okay with Tristan going to the restroom alone? Wasn’t he worried that the boy might wander off?

Sophia laughed awkwardly. “What’s up with Tristan today? Why is he going to the restroom so often? Is he not feeling well?”

Marcus replied, “Probably drank too much juice.”

Hearing this, Sophia glanced at the nearly empty glass of juice at Tristan’s seat and decided that it made sense.

During their conversation, Thaddeus had already returned to his seat, his face stern.