Chapter 44 Yvette Stands Up for Me
The last time I went home, I didn’t even dare to provoke them. If I had, my dad would’ve been the first to blow up. He’d have kicked me out the door and sent me flying before I could even
touch Aunt Lexi’s clothes.
But this time was different. I made my dad personally discipline his precious illegitimate son.
And as for Aunt Lexi, I sent her crashing to the ground. Nobody dared to make a sound.
Aunt Lexi looked utterly miserable. Her face was swollen, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. She stared at me as if I were the Grim Reaper.
It took her ages to recover. When she finally did, she glared at my dad with a mix of fury and grievance. But he just played dumb.
Unwilling to let it go, Aunt Lexi’s eyes welled up with tears as she shot him another sharp look.
“Is your mistress‘ scandal more important than this? Fine, I’ll admit I brought this on myself, but think about what’s at stake here. The company is on the brink of collapse! We’re going bankrupt!
“If the company goes under, will your pride still matter? The priority is getting Ms. Jenning to help us out. As long as she steps in, the company will be saved!” Hearing this, my dad snapped back to reality. He glared at me menacingly and said, “Owen, you’ve hit her and vented your anger. Now go and bring her here!”
I shoved Aunt Lexi aside. She hit the floor hard, grimacing in pain as she struggled to get up.
I asked coldly, “And why should I listen to you?”
Jackson, sprawled on the floor, didn’t even dare to move. His eyes were filled with fear, but his mouth didn’t stop.
“Owen, you’re part of the Yates family. The family is in trouble, and you can’t just stand by. Is this how you repay Uncle William for raising you all these years?”
Aunt Lexi glared at me, seething with anger despite the pain. “Jackson’s right, Owen. You’re part of the Yates family too. If the family collapses, it won’t do you any good either.
“Ms. Jenning has more than enough money. Helping us with something this small is nothing to her. She’s the Yates family’s daughter–in–law–shouldn’t she lend a hand?”
My dad’s temper flared. “Exactly, call her here!”
Looking at their selfish, shameless faces, I felt nothing but disgust. Growing up in a family like this had been misery–for my mom, for me, and now even for Yvette.
She married into the family and instantly became their cash cow, their endless source of money.
I said coldly, “What a joke. She owes you nothing–why should she help? And as for me, what have I ever gotten from being a Yates? Money? Status? I can’t even afford to see a doctor without earning the money myself. So tell me, why on earth should I help you?”
Aunt Lexi took the chance to stir the pot. “See? He won’t help or fork over any money. Your crisis isn’t solved, and you get scolded. Even I got beaten. What’s the point of all this?”
My dad’s face darkened, his fists clenching tightly. His glare burned with fury. “Fine! If you won’t help, then we’ll all go down together! But first, I’m going to teach you a lesson!”
He completely lost it, his punch aimed directly at me.
I wasn’t the same meek pushover they once knew. I had leverage now–evidence, recordings, everything that just happened. It was all enough to make Yvette tread carefully.
This time, I chose silence and closed my eyes. I refused to evade and let everything unfold as it would.
Ever since the truth came to light, this house had become a living hell for me. I loathed the blood running through my veins.
But I couldn’t deny that despite his harshness, he had raised me for 18 years. Today, I decided to repay that debt by not fighting back. After this, he’d never have the chance to hurt me again. But half a minute passed, and the pain I braced for never came.
Instead, a faint, familiar scent of roses brushed against my face. It stirred something deep within me, leaving ripples in
I froze. For a moment, I thought it was Yvette’s fragrance. But I dismissed the thought as quickly as it came.
Why would she be here now? After our fight yesterday, why would she step in so easily?
As confusion clouded my mind, a familiar, melodic voice cut through the tension like a breath of fresh air.
“Mr. Yates, isn’t your temper a bit too much?”
my heart.
I snapped my eyes open, stunned to see Yvette standing before me. I never thought she would show up here. Her seemingly delicate yet unyielding hand had firmly caught my dad’s fist just as it was about to strike me.
“Yvette…” I whispered in disbelief, my shock beyond words. I never dared to hope she would protect me. Yet, she was now standing between me and my dad like a guardian angel.
The room fell into stunned silence. My dad stammered, “M–Ms. Jenning…”
Yvette gave me a brief glance to confirm I was unharmed before turning to my dad. Only then she released his fist, her demeanor indifferent yet commanding.
“Mr. Yates, what has Owen done to deserve such treatment?” Her voice was soft. Yet every word hit like a needle, piercing and precise.
My dad’s face turned ashen. He was scrambling for an explanation.
“N–No… It’s all just a misunderstanding…”
“Even without cause, you still raised your hand against him?” Her tone grew colder yet
“In doing so, Mr. Yates, aren’t you humiliating me as well?”
remained steady.
1 felt a complex mix of emotions stir within me. I didn’t know the reason behind Yvette’s action.
Was she protecting me, or was she merely safeguarding her own dignity?
My dad, drenched in cold sweat, shook his head furiously. “I wouldn’t dare, Ms. Jenning. I’d never do so!”
Seeing the situation, Aunt Lexi and Jackson quickly stood up. She plastered on a smile and hurried over.
“Ms. Jenning, this is all just a misunderstanding. They’re father and son–just playing around. Please, don’t take it seriously.”
She shot me a sharp glare and grumbled, “Owen, why didn’t you tell us Ms. Jenning was coming? You even lied to us.”
“Jackson, quick, make some coffee for Ms. Jenning. Why are you standing there?” Aunt Lexi nudged Jackson. They exchanged a glance that was full of unspoken meaning.
Jackson snapped to reality and gave Yvette a goofy smile. “Yvette, please take a seat. I’ll make some coffee for you.”
Yvette calmly adjusted her clothes, staying by my side. Her tone was distant as she replied, “No need. Owen almost got hit. I’m not in the mood for coffee right now.”
Her words stunned everyone in the room. I was equally surprised, my emotions a mixture of confusion and astonishment.
Was she standing up for me? Could this really be the Yvette I knew? Or had she lost her mind?
Chapter 44 Yvette Stands Up for Me
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Yet, there was no denying the sheer power of her presence.
She carried herself with the authority of a seasoned negotiator, every move and word radiating unquestionable dominance. The atmosphere grew heavy, forcing even my dad to bend under the weight of her gaze.
My dad wiped nonexistent sweat from his forehead, his smile worse than a cry.
He quickly apologized, “I was too hasty earlier, taking my anger out on Owen. I’m sorry, Owen. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have scolded you, let alone raised my hand. It won’t happen again. Please forgive me, and I hope Ms. Jenning won’t hold it against me.
I looked at my dad, who bowed respectfully. I couldn’t help but sneer inside. This wasn’t how someone spoke to their daughter–in–law; it was clear he was trying to fawn and please.
He was ready to hit me just now, but now he was groveling before Yvette. It was utterly ridiculous.
I curled my lips, my eyes full of mockery. “An apology is just words. You were about to hit me–how do words make up for that?”
My dad looked at me, seemingly annoyed by my refusal to back down. Yet he didn’t dare to lash out.
He could only force a smile and say, “Owen, there are no grudges between father and son. I’ve already apologized, so…”
Before he could finish, I suddenly raised my hand and slapped him hard. The slap was crisp and loud, shocking everyone in the room.
