Chapter 5
Avery and Cassandra spent the entire day outside until dusk approached. That was when Cassandra finally drove Avery back to the traditional medicine clinic.
From a distance, they saw Molly, Howard, and Abigail standing outside the clinic’s entrance.
Cassandra was worried as she looked at Avery. “Want to stay at my place for a few days? There’s no way they would dare make a fuss at my house.”
Avery shook her head and turned down her offer. She knew certain matters couldn’t be avoided. More importantly, the clinic was left by her grandfather for her. She shouldn’t need to avoid anyone there.
Cassandra knew Avery’s personality and how she wouldn’t budge once she set her mind on a decision. So, she didn’t say more and only asked her to be careful and to call her if things got out of hand.
Avery nodded. Then, she got out of the car and walked toward the clinic entrance.
The moment Molly saw Avery, she rushed over and scolded her, “Where have you been off to, you disgrace? You’re a humiliation to the Sinclairs for sleeping around with men!”
Avery was used to Molly’s rebukes. She crossed her arms and sneered mockingly at her, “So, do you think shouting on the street about how I sleep around with men somehow brings the Sinclairs honor?”
Molly’s scolding abruptly halted, but she quickly recovered. “You… How dare you talk back!”
Molly glared furiously at Avery, acting as if she weren’t her daughter but her enemy.
“You’d better hand over the 30% share to Abigail and let her marry into the Smiths! Or else, I’m going to disown you!”
Avery retorted, “As if you’ve ever treated me like a daughter.”
Molly’s whole body was trembling with rage, and she raised her hand to slap Avery.
“Stop it!” Molly’s wrist was caught mid–air before she could hit Avery.
Howard’s expression was dark as he said, “I brought you here to talk, not to hit her.”
Molly opened her mouth to protest, but a glare from Howard forced her to keep silent. Left with no choice, she unwillingly stood aside.
After reprimanding Molly, Howard turned to Avery. “Ave, don’t hold it against your mother. She’s just anxious about Abigail. She didn’t actually want to hit you.”
Avery remained silent
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Seeing how she refused to talk, Howard continued, “Abby messed up your wedding, and I understand you’re upset with her about that. But she’s still your sister.”
“So?”
Avery’s response encouraged him, and he pressed on, “If Abby doesn’t marry into the Smith family, she’ll be ruined. Let her have the wedding and wedding gift while you marry into the Sander family. That will be the perfect solution!”
Listening to Howard’s “perfect solution“, Avery almost couldn’t suppress her laugh. Was this his so–called concern for her?
Everyone in Starbury knew the Sanders‘ son, Charles, was a womanizer. He always had a different woman by his side every day.
Howard intended for Avery to marry into the Sander family to secure a business deal with them. With that and Abigail marrying into the well–connected Smith family, of course, it would be a perfect solution for him.
Avery didn’t rebut. Instead, she turned to Abigail with a smile. “I’m the elder sister, so naturally, I should take care of my younger sister. Since a marriage with the Sander family is so ideal, why not let Abigail marry into their family instead?”
Hearing that, Abigail started to tremble.
Everyone in the elite society knew that Charles was not only a womanizer but also had a lot of sexual kinks. Many women drawn into his orbit often ended up scarred and humiliated.
Abigail didn’t want to marry that demon.
She raised her head, revealing her reddened eyes. She looked at Avery and pleaded pitifully,” Avery, I know I shouldn’t have messed with your marriage. But Clyde and I are really in love! Please let us be!”
Her voice choked as she pleaded.
By then, there was a crowd surrounding them. The spectators began to murmur, “Isn’t that the Sinclairs‘ younger daughter? Why is she crying?”
“She must’ve been bullied by her elder sister! I’m not surprised. The elder one has a reputation for arrogance. Poor Abigail is probably always being bullied.”
“No wonder Clyde Smith would rather marry the younger sister than the elder one on their wedding day itself…”
As the crowd showed their sympathy for Abigail, she felt smug within. However, she bit her lip and feigned the impression of a victim holding back tears, looking pitiful.
Molly’s heart ached looking at Abigail’s pitiful demeanor. She wiped her tears away while scolding Avery, “You ungrateful child! I’m still alive, and you dare treat your sister like this in
Chap 5
front of me? Apologize, now!”
“Apologiznan Avery found Molly’s words ridiculous. “She shamelessly seduced her future
brother–in–law on my wedding day, and you want me to apologize to her?”
As soon as Avery said that, the crowd’s opinion began to shift, and they looked at Abigail with disdain. Very soon, the number of spectators grew. There were even reporters with their cameras gathering around, prepared to record them.
Howard’s expression darkened. He knew that the spectacle would only taint his image, and he wanted to leave with Molly and Abigail.
But Molly wasn’t ready to give up and leave that easily. She clung to his arm and urged him, Dear, we still haven’t gotten her shares yet. Without them, how will Abby marry into the Smith family?”
As the sounds of cameras snapping photos grew, Howard’s expression grew darker. Ignoring Molly’s protests, he turned and got into the car himself.
Seeing Howard’s thunderous expression, Molly kept quiet and dragged Abigail into the car together unwillingly.
The car sped away quickly and disappeared from everyone’s view.
With nothing left to see, the reporters packed up their gear and started to leave.
Watching them leave, Avery felt confused. She muttered to herself, “Why would the reporters show up here all of a sudden?”
At Smith Corporation, Delcan walked into Joshua’s office. His tone was respectful as he informed Joshua, “Mr. Smith, word just came in that Howard left Ms. Sinclair’s clinic after seeing the reporters.”
“At least the guy has some sense.” Joshua’s eyes gleamed coldly. “Release the footage from the wedding to all the big media companies. I want everyone to know about it early in the morning.”
Delcan asked with concern, “But what about Mr. Sinclair Senior…”
“Leave him to me. Just do as I said.”
Delcan didn’t say anything further and left to carry out his orders.
Joshua opened his palm, and there was a red bracelet resting in the middle. There was a complex look in his eyes as he looked at it.
