Chapter 13
The two slaps ignited a frenzy of rage in Simone. She collapsed to the floor and yelled hysterically, “Why the hell did you hit me?”
Jolene blew lightly on her reddened palm and cast an icy glance at Simone.
“The first slap was for running me over with your car. The second? I was just returning the favor. Is that so hard to understand?” she replied nonchalantly.
The moment those words left her lips, Cedric’s gaze turned cold. He then looked down at Simone, who shuddered with fear.
There was no anger or disdain. Instead, all that remained was a detached indifference that reduced her to nothing more than a speck of dust.
A chill ran down her spine. For the first time, Simone realized just how close her doom truly was.
She was on the verge of breaking down when James appeared, guiding a somewhat sobered Preston out of the bathroom.
Preston’s gaze immediately fell on Jolene, and he stumbled forward, reaching for her.
However, Cedric intercepted it with a swift slap to his hand.
Years of indulgence had made Preston quick to anger. He was ready to lash out, but the sight of Cedric stopped him cold.
In an instant, the impatience on his face shifted into fear as he stammered, “U–Uncle Cedric.”
Cedric was only a few years older than Preston, but he never tried to pull rank. Unfortunately for the latter, Cedric could no longer suppress his displeasure and reprimanded him mercilessly in front of the household staff.
“Preston Norwood, you have the nerve to drag your drunken mess into my home, huh? And you even brought someone who runs her mouth? Have you forgotten what I told you? Our family doesn’t tolerate dead weight!”
As the words hung in the air, the atmosphere in the villa grew thick with tension. The household staff held their breath, shrinking back to avoid drawing any attention from Cedric.
All except Jolene. She had never seen Cedric so furious, nor the usually unruly Preston so completely humbled. She couldn’t help but be in awe.
It seemed like everyone would meet their match eventually.
With Cedric backing her up, Jolene decided she wasn’t going to tolerate it any longer. So, she laid things out clearly.
“Preston, from now on, you’ll address me as Aunt Jolene. I’d like to clarify a few things,” she stated.
Jolene continued, “I don’t want to be tangled up in your relationship with Simone. Whether you stay together or break up is none of my business. But don’t show up in front of me again.
“I have my own family now, and I’m your senior. When we meet next time, show me the respect I deserve. I’m not asking for much—just basic courtesy. That way, people won’t start gossiping about how the Norwoods can’t raise their children properly. Got it?”
Preston seethed with rage at her words, his forehead veins bulging. Just as he was about to retort, a voice cut through the air, sending a sense of dread through him.
“Do you understand?”
“I understand,” Preston mumbled.
At that point, Cedric was exhausted. Seeing Preston finally back down, he snapped, “If you got it, then leave. Or should I call your father to come get you?”
With that, he took Jolene’s hand and led her back to their room.
Preston, on the other hand, dared not linger for another second. He grabbed Simone and rushed downstairs.
At last, the villa fell into silence once more.
Jolene yawned, stretching as she sank back onto the bed, only for Cedric to pull her into his arms.
“How did the car accident happen? Did you get the cut on your forehead from that? Tell me everything,” he urged.
However, Jolene didn’t want him to worry. So, she tried to downplay it, saying, “It’s nothing. It’s all in the past now. See? I’m perfectly fine.”
As she spoke, Cedric had already pulled out his phone to contact the hospital and arrange a check–up.
“It’s not ‘nothing‘ if you’re injured,” he replied with a frown.
Hearing the concern in his voice, Jolene felt a lump form in her throat. She nearly broke into tears again. Yet, she held them back and told him everything that had happened, “After the engagement was set, I knew I had to clear things up with Preston…”
Chapter 14
