Madam, Your Ex-Husband Is On Call

Chapter 257 Dodgy Moral Compass

Amanda was startled and fixed her gaze on Jane, whose eyes were slightly red. Jane took a deep breath before turning to Derek.

"Ms. Graves was kidnapped by Zachary and accidentally fell into the sea. Jaxon dove in to save her, but Mr. Patterson's crew searched for two days straight and came up empty-handed. Things aren't looking good," Jane explained.

Amanda's expression underwent a sudden and dramatic change. She staggered backward, almost losing her balance.

Derek quickly reached out and steadied her, his gaze narrowing as he focused on Jane.

"Kidnapped by Zachary?" he asked.

Jane nodded, tears spilling from her eyes.

"Zachary, realizing he was in trouble, tried to use me as a hostage. But he met his own karma and accidentally fell into the sea."

A heavy silence fell over the room.

Amanda's expression turned ashen.

She had always been skeptical of rumors and gossip, but hearing the news firsthand made her gasp with profound sorrow.

Jane stood there, softly sobbing in grief.

"Mr. Derek Graves, please take care. Mr. Patterson hasn't winked since he started looking into Ms. Graves' situation. It's taken a heavy toll on him, and now he's unconscious. We're all devastated, really." Lamia, who stood nearby, walked over and patted Jane's shoulder.

"You're a good kid. Keeping you by Christian's side was the right decision. This time, Christian narrowly avoided a disaster, and it's all thanks to you!"

Lamia had heard it all. If it weren't for Jane grabbing Christian in time, he might have ended up in the sea, too.

Lamia was left feeling anxious and disoriented by her own thoughts. Anastasia, even in death, couldn't rest in peace. Had she tried to drag her son into her demise?

Lamia smiled and sighed, "Once Christian regains consciousness, I'll step in and ensure you two get engaged without delay. I'm quite happy with you as my future daughter-in-law."

Jane's eyes sparkled with excitement as she grabbed Lamia's arm.

Amanda, her expression ashen, had no interest in witnessing their triumphant expressions.

She nervously made her way to the door.

Amanda, who was usually poised and elegant, suddenly looked fragile.

Lamia caught up to her and offered some well-intentioned advice. "Mrs. Amanda Graves, I understand you had a close relationship with Anastasia, but I advise you not to grieve too deeply. That woman was known for playing both sides and having a dodgy moral compass. And, you know what? She even dragged poor Jaxon into this mess."

Before Lamia could finish her sentence, Amanda's emotions erupted. She forcefully slapped Lamia across the face.

Smack!

Lamia was taken aback, her hand covering her face as she stared at Amanda in disbelief.

"How dare you lay a hand on me? Are you out of your mind?"

Amanda maintained an indifferent expression, but her refined features betrayed a chilling resolve.

"Let me make this clear. It's not your role to judge Anastasia. She faced a problem on your property, so be ready for me to seek accountability from your side," she asserted.

Lamia paused briefly, then let out a frigid chuckle, shedding her veneer, and attempted to retaliate with a slap.

But Derek, standing nearby, intervened and blocked her.

His eyes bore a frigid gaze as he forcibly pushed Lamia away.

Lamia seethed with anger.

Was she now subjected to such treatment without her son by her side?

She angrily shouted, "Why do you think you can hold us responsible? What does her death have to do with us? We haven't even sought compensation from her!"

"It's better if this has nothing to do

with you, or I'll ensure the Patter

family becomes a part of the burial," Amanda warned with unwavering determination.

With that, Amanda turned and walked away.

As soon as she stepped out of the room, her legs gave way, and she felt a wave of weakness wash over her.

Derek went over and lifted Amanda into his arms. "Mom..."

Furious after being slapped and insulted, Lamia thought to herself, "What a stroke of bad luck!"

Emma and Jane by her side didn't come to her aid. This only fueled her frustration.

Even Jane, whom she had just praised, didn't look so favorable now.

"What a coward!" she thought.

Jane understood that Amanda's use of violence was unjustified, but she dared not challenge the matriarch of the Graves Group, especially in

Derek's presence.

The Martinez family couldn't risk upsetting the Graves family, especially since Lamia always had an overbearing attitude toward them.

She couldn't afford to start a conflict.

Jane noticed Lamia was frustrated and approached her with a friendly smile.

"Mrs. Lamia Patterson, don't let anger consume you. Anastasia had a knack for manipulating people, and Mrs. Amanda Graves was deceived, so she's upset."