Chapter 40
“You had the guts to do it, but now you don’t have the spine to admit it?” Lillians almost shouted, her fists clenched lightly. She wanted to
- but couldn’t find the words, so she turned to Alexa for help,
Alexa was about to speak up for Lillian when Walt cut in “Audrey, do you really think that having that thing goes you the power to undermine the father’s career? We brought you back here to give you a chance, hot to listen to your excuses”
Chayton was displeased with Wyatt’s attitude, and at the same time, he felt utterly humiliated by what Audrey had done.
Clayton, who was
s usually so proud, had become the subject of criticism from his entire family because of Audrey.
“Audrey, wearing out Dad’s patience won’t do you any good,” he warned coldly.
Audrey tilted her head, tapping her finger against her temple, still looking puzzled, “What on earth do they want from me? They want the video I recorded yesterday? Are they kidding me? That’s impossible, she thought to herself.
Audrey was not someone to be pushed around. Her previous tolerance had all been because she liked Clayton.
Now, just the sight of hi
of him annoyed her, and she certainly wasn’t going to show any kindness to the other members of the Patel family.
“Mr. Patel, do you think I was joking yesterday?” Audrey looked at John calmly, “I Clayton doesn’t go through with the divorce today, the actions of the Patel family will be known to everyone tomorrow.”
John gripped his water glass so tightly that his knuckles turned pale. “Damn it. You’re overestimating yourself”
“Then let’s wait and see,” Audrey said, turning to leave.
Clayton quickly caught up, his fingers hooking onto her shoulder like iron claws, pulling her back forcefully. His anger gave him considerable strength.
Audrey stumbled and collided with the dresser, her lower back oching from the impact of the handle.
Seeing her wince, Clayton felt a fleeting pang of guilt. If Audrey learns her lesson, may be Dad will be more willing to forgive her, he thought.
With that thought in mind, he grabbed Audrey’s shoulder again. “I’ve been too lenient with you, which has made you forget your place. If you don’t hand over that thing today, you won’t leave the Patel Manor,”
Audrey straightened up slowly, her eyes cold and clear. Clayton’s heart skipped a beat. “Did I hurt her badly? The pain is temporary, but gaining Dad’s forgiveness is what will secure her position in the family, he thought.
Suppressing his concem, Clayton said coldly. “Mom and Dad are willing to give you a chance. Don’t be ungrateful”
He leaned closer to Audrey and continued in a voice only the two of them could hear, “You don’t have the right to throw tantrums. As long as you hand over that thing and gain Mom and Dad’s forgiveness, my family will be your family from now on.”
Audrey suddenly bent her knee and rammed it into Clayton’s groin. Instantly, Clayton’s forehead broke into a thin sheen of sweat, and he stared at her in
disbelief
“How dare she attack me in front of the whole family? Does she think being aggressive will earn her a place in the Patel family? She’s wrong, dead wrong, he thought.
The Patel family had been in politics for decades, and crushing Audrey would be as easy as squashing an ant.
They had all opposed Clayton’s marriage to her, and only accepted her because Clayton had made his stance clear.
Now that Audrey had shown her true colors, even it Clayton wanted to protect her, it would be difficult.
“Who cares?” Audrey sneered, turning to John. “I can release the video from yesterday, but only if Clayton goes with me to finalize the divorce right now
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Chapter 407
“What video ?” Wyatt blunted out, “What video do you have?” He Thoked at his father
„John’s expression shined slightly, but his eyes iemained cold. He loosened his grip on the water gtans slightly, his fingertips touch pretending to be clueless, does she really not know? he wondered.
Yesterday, after John left the hospital, he received a call from his secretáry. The factory manager of a certain plant had been arrested for Bribery manager’s secretary had called John’s secretary, asking for his help.
There was a veiled threat in the conversation. If John didn’t bail him out, he would implicate John as well. The secretary didn’t dare make a decision on his own and quickly contacted John.
John had been busy campaigning for senator recently, projecting an image of a diligent and people loving official, and he wasn’t giving his opponents any chance to tamish his reputation.
He hadn’t accepted any bribes in any form. But just to be safe, he had called his wife.
Lillian initially denied it. It was only after she realized the severity of the consequences that she admitted to receiving a box of gifts, which was filled with
money
Lillian knew she was in the wrong but was unwilling to back down, Insisting only on returning the money
However, upon returning home, she discovered that the money in the box was gone, which sent her into a panic.
John took out the footage shot by Riley and reviewed it again, Audrey had left the living room and then returned, knocking over the hidden camera as she bent down, so it hadn’t captured anything afterward.
But they were certain that Audrey had taken the envelope containing the money.
“Audrey, I’m giving you one last chance,” John said, staring intently at Audrey, not missing a single detail on her face. “If you hand over the item, I won’t hold today’s actions against you. Otherwise-” He left the threat hanging.
Clayton, aware that his father was furious, forced himself through the pain and spoke up. “Audrey, you can’t keep the money. You have to return it exactly as it was. I know you’re upset that I’m giving Vally and Luns an allowance, I’ll double it for you. Just give me the item.”
“Money?” Audrey pondered their meaning. Something hit her at once, and she smiled, her expression cold and resolute
“Why? Enough of that.” Clayton tried to grab her, but Audrey dodged
Audrey rubbed her lower back and looked at John. “You’re all making a big deal out of this and interrogating me because you suspect I stole money from the Patel family?”
“Taking something without asking is stealing. Lillian said viciously.
“Since you suspect me of stealing, then call the police,” Audrey said, taking out her phone and dialing.
Clayton lunged at her to grab the phone, but Audrey sidestepped, watching him coldly. “You suspect me, yet you don’t want me to call the police. You’re not trying to pin a false charge on me and punish me privately, are you?”
Clayton hadn’t expected Audrey to dodge so quickly. He couldn’t stop his momentum, and his knee collided with the edge of the coffee table, causing him to hiss in pain
Lillian was very worried and rushed to help him, but Clayton pushed her away and fell back onto the sofa.
He lunged at Audrey again, and her phone was slapped out of her hand by Clayton.
“You know that money can’t be exposed, yet you’re threatening me with the police.” Clayton’s eyes were bloodshot, a terrifying crimson, “You even forced Vally and Luna. How can you be so malicious? I can give you the money as compensation, but you have to give me the envelope.”
Chapter 40
He could cover for Audrey with the money, but that envelope had to be retrieved Otherwise, it was like a ticking time bomb that could ay pina bribery charge on John,
Audrey bent down to pick up her phone, but Clayton stomped on it. The screen, which had only a relationship
now shattered completaty, just like their
Audrey straightened up, snapped her fingers, and looked at the Patel family members in the living room “Since you insist that I book it, you should at least provide some evidence?
“You’re so stubborn,” Clayton said, taking out his phone and showing the last frame of the surveillance footage
At first, Audrey
dismissed it with a sheet, but gradually her
furrowed, and then she began to bite her lip nervously.
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