Falling For My Ex's Uncle - Chapter 445: Chapter 445

"Are you misunderstanding the relationship between Alex and me?" Betty sighed softly, her bright eyes filled with confusion.
I raised my gaze to look at the glamorous, career-driven woman standing before me, a faint smile tugging at my lips.
She was dressed in designer clothes, with a limited-edition watch adorning her wrist.
Every move she made screamed that she was not only from a prestigious family but also deeply loved and supported by them.
Not all rich second-generation women are lucky enough to be doted on, but Betty seemed to have it all.
It was clear from the confidence in her eyes, and her pursuit of a career and independence, that the Woods family was different from most aristocratic families.
They didn't just raise their daughter to be a socialite or a pawn in a business marriage. Instead, they nurtured her like a son, sending her abroad and encouraging her to follow her interests and pursue her dreams.
Betty was living more freely than most women from her circles, having earned everything through her own effort.
She had every right to feel proud and, in her mind, women like her—both wealthy and capable—deserved to marry someone who matched their level.
However, what Betty couldn't have anticipated was that Alex would marry someone like me.
"Misunderstanding?" I slowly lifted my head, meeting Betty's gaze with a smile, raising an eyebrow. "Miss Woods, could it be that your hostility towards me has something to do with Alex?"
Betty, without hesitation, nodded and said, "Yes, I don't like you. You don't deserve Alex."
I took a sip from my cup of lukewarm lemon water, feeling an unexpected sourness, and then set it down. Betty not liking me made sense—any woman who had feelings for Alex wouldn't want me around. They probably wished I'd disappear from his life altogether.
In their eyes, I was unworthy of him. Truthfully, I felt the same.
My marriage to him was based on mutual need, nothing more. A marriage built on love doesn't always last, and one without it is even less likely to stand the test of time.
Alex not wanting a divorce didn't mean he loved me—it just meant he wasn't willing to compromise with the Herrera family. That was all.
"Alex not only offended his family but also the Harvey family to marry you," Betty sighed, her long lashes fluttering, a slight coldness in her eyes. "Do you know what this means? He might end up with nothing."
At the last four words, she looked genuinely agitated.
Suddenly, memories of that summer flooded back—the boy lying on the ground, bruised and battered by a rattan stick. My chest tightened involuntarily.
"He won't be left with nothing," I said, a smile playing at the corners of my mouth. "He still has me."
The look in Betty's eyes shifted, her expression a mix of surprise and disbelief. Then she let out a mocking laugh. "Laurel, if Alex can't give you 1.5 million dollars a year, would you still stay with him?"
I froze for a moment. I hadn't realized their relationship was so close—close enough for Betty to know how much money Alex gave me. No wonder she felt sorry for Alex.
Her words showed how much she believed Alex should have someone worthy by his side, not someone she deemed as greedy.
Through her attitude, it was clear Alex hadn't told her everything about us. He'd only let her see how deeply he loved me.
Was he trying to gain her sympathy? I couldn't understand what that old fox was trying to do.
I stared at Betty with a blank expression.
"No," I said calmly, pausing before adding, "If Alex leaves the Herrera Group, I'm sure he'll make enough money to support me. Otherwise, I won't let him go."
Betty blinked in surprise, her sharp gaze fixed on me. A smirk tugged at her lips—sneering, condescending, indifferent, and above it all, she looked down on me.
In her eyes, I clearly didn't belong in the same room as her, even though she was so determined to get along with me for Alex's sake. This wasn't how a strong, independent woman should behave.
That's when I realized Betty's purpose for coming back to the country was likely to be with Alex.
After all, time has a way of making feelings grow. Their relationship was unique, and it was clear Alex had strong feelings for her.
"Laurel," Betty said with a wry laugh. "I didn't expect your answer to be the same as Alex's." She bit her lip lightly, sighed, and softened her tone, "We've known him for so many years, but never really understood him.
"Or rather, he never opened up to anyone except you. He told me, if he became the heir to the Herrera Group, you might leave him. But if he had nothing, you wouldn't."
She frowned, as if the question still perplexed her. "Why? Didn't you marry him for his money?"
"I don't want him to be poor because of me," I shrugged and said coldly, "But don't be fooled by him. He doesn't care that much about me."
"Doesn't he?" Betty scoffed, her expression sour. "When I saw you arrive, he kicked you out just to keep me from saying something that might hurt you. He insisted I must get along with you before I could come to the company. It's ridiculous. He begged me to come back, but when it comes to you, he's willing to send me away."
Her words trailed off as if she suddenly realized the purpose of her visit. She frowned and looked at me intently. "What exactly is your relationship with Yaeger? I'm telling you, don't be deceived by him. That guy is no good."
Betty's face showed genuine disdain, but my curiosity was piqued. Weren't they supposed to have a good relationship? Why was she acting like a mortal enemy now?
"I don't know him well," I answered honestly. After all, we were just briefly classmates for two years.