Louis felt reassured after hearing what Cedric had said. So, he led his in–laws away.
Now, only the Norwoods remained in the living room.
Cedric sat in the middle seat, his gaze fixed on the three people kneeling before him. His tone was flat as he said, “Simone, I remember you have a sharp tongue. Why don’t you represent the Bakers and tell us what happened?”
A sense of dread washed over Simone as she faced Cedric. After all, he was the head of the Norwood family, and his mere presence instilled fear in everyone.
But with so many people present, she knew this was her only chance. Still on her knees, she wiped her tears and recounted everything.
When she finished, the Norwoods‘ friends, along with the bodyguards and maids standing by the door, exchanged looks of disbelief.
It was the 21st century. They were just being fired. It wasn’t like they couldn’t find another job. Was it really necessary to make such a scene?
Cedric, however, remained unfazed. His expression stayed neutral from start to finish.
He then called for Charles and Paige, asking them to bring all the household staff over. In front of everyone, he asked what they thought of the Bakers‘ dismissal.
The crowd, which had been silent until then, started speaking out. They didn’t hold back and shared their opinions openly.
“I think Mrs. Norwood did the right thing. Simone took advantage of Mr. Preston’s favor and bossed everyone around,” one maid complained.
She continued, “She even had the audacity to take Mrs. Norwood’s jewelry and clothes, threatening us if we spoke of it. And if Mrs. Norwood asked, she’d say Mr. Preston had taken them or ruined them!”
“I agree with firing her! Helen spends all day bragging about how her daughter is going to marry into the Norwood family one day. She always shifts the blame onto us and slacks off!” another added.
Soon enough, someone else chimed in, “Derek does the same! He even stole gifts guests brought for Mr. and Mrs. Norwood. When we caught him red–handed, he claimed Mr. Preston had given him permission to take them. This has happened so many times!”
The faces of the Bakers went pale as they listened to the barrage of complaints. Even Preston’s expression shifted slightly upon hearing that.
Meanwhile, other members of the Norwood family either shot indignant looks or glared coldly at the Bakers. By now, no one felt any sympathy for them.
Jolene, who had been quietly observing, took a sip from her cup.
At that moment, a flicker of coldness flashed in her eyes. This very scene had played out in her past life, too.
But back then, there had been no wedding, and Cedric had been abroad. Preston not only refused to accompany her to the family gathering, but he also barged into the Norwood residence with the Bakers.
The elderly Louis couldn’t bear the sight of their tears and reprimanded Charles and Paige.
Even though the couple had given in at that time, they quickly found another excuse to fire the Bakers. They even demanded compensation, which pushed the Baker family into crippling debt.
With no other choice, Derek and Helen were forced to marry Simone off to a debt collector to settle the family’s debt.
However, three years into her marriage, her husband died. That was when Jolene’s fate took a sharp turn.
Now, in this life, she had chosen to marry Cedric instead, and everything had changed. With him in charge, she believed things would play out differently.
And, just as she had expected, they did.
After Charles and Paige clarified the situation, Cedric wasted no time announcing his decision.
“I believe everyone has heard the testimonies,” he began. “The evidence should be with the Bakers. Charles, Paige, given the circumstances, I think you should call the police. Report this as theft and pursue the stolen property. What do you think?”
His statement snapped everyone out of their reverie.
Without hesitation, Charles and Paige instructed someone to call 911.
Realizing the true value of the stolen and damaged goods, Derek and Helen lost their composure. They pleaded repeatedly to be spared, but Charles and Paige showed no mercy.
When the sound of sirens reached the living room, Simone crawled toward Preston. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she begged him to help.
Yet, Preston, who had witnessed the entire ordeal, felt no pity. The warmth that once filled his gaze when he looked at her had vanished.
“As it stands now, from here on-”
Preston couldn’t finish his sentence; the words caught in his throat as his eyes widened in shock.
By then, Derek had rushed into the kitchen and grabbed a knife, intent on ending his life.
“Dad!” Simone yelled.
Before her hysterical cry could fade, Helen followed suit, trying to take her own life in despair.
“Mom!”
In an instant, blood splattered across the marble floor.
