Chapter 168 Enraged
“Stop right there!” A stern voice sounded from behind all of a sudden.
Linda shuddered all over as if she had fallen into an icy pool, not daring to turn around.
Francis thought something was off with Linda’s facial expression.
He turned around and looked at Julia, who exuded an imposing aura, with slight discomfort surging
within him.
Considering her status as his elder, he patiently uttered, “Mrs. Hadley, my mom isn’t feeling well, so I wish to bring her home now. Let’s talk again later if there’s anything else.”
Julia stood up from her seat. She felt Linda’s reaction was a little abnormal since just now.
Usually, if something like that had happened at home, Linda would’ve been eager to step up and put on a dutiful pretense.
However, since Christina started speaking earlier, Linda’s countenance began turning pale.
Julia walked up to Christina. “You mentioned the dessert you served Old Mrs. Hadley was given to you by Linda?”
Christina nodded. Suddenly, her eyes widened as if she had realized something.
She glanced at Linda, whose visage was ashen. Instantly, clarity washed over her. “The dessert that was supposed to be Dad’s was given to Grandma. That’s why…”
At that point, Christina caught herself because she didn’t dare to finish her sentence. That dessert wasn’t adulterated with poison. Instead, it was some kind of aphrodisiac.
Charlie also figured out what had happened. No wonder she was pestering me to stay. She thought I drank that bowl of dessert!
A furious look flashed across his face. He staggered backward in a fury and slumped into the chair before finally steadying himself.
Immediately afterward, all the housekeepers in the hall were dismissed.
Julia instructed solemnly, “You youngsters should leave as well. Let the adults handle this matter.”
Nathaniel despised such confrontational situations, so he dragged Christina out of the hall with him without saying another word.
Although Francis was worried, his fate of being born into such a complicated family and his status in the household rendered him powerless to help his mother.
When Charlie, Julia, and Linda were left alone inside the hall, a long–brewing storm finally erupted. Julia glowered at Linda and chided coldly, “How shameless! We cannot control how you two fool around outside, but the least you could do was not disgust us with your despicable behavior at home!”
Tears brimmed in Linda’s eyes. Her legs gave out, and she fell to the floor on her knees. “Charlie, i didn’t do that on purpose. I just wanted to improve our relationship. I never thought this would cause harm to Old Mrs. Hadley.”
+5 Bonus
Felicia was never her target.
Linda had let Christina serve the dessert to Charlie, thinking that if there were any repercussions, she could blame Christina by mentioning how the youngsters sought amusement.
Unexpectedly, she miscalculated.
Julia trembled with anger. “You know your intention better than anyone else! I can’t believe you even tried to frame Christina. I’ve never met anyone as revolting as you!”
Linda crawled to Charlie’s side and hugged his leg tightly. “Charlie, I meant no harm. Can you please forgive me?”
Shock and wrath overwhelmed him, rendering him unable to utter a word. Linda made a grave mistake this
time!
At that moment, hurried footsteps were heard. The housekeeper came to convey the message that Felicia had awakened and demanded to see Charlie.
Charlie hastily got up and left.
Inside the room, Felicia grimaced as fury filled her eyes. I can’t believe I had to suffer such humiliation at this advanced age.
At that thought, exasperation churned within her chest.
She wanted to get off the bed and personally teach Linda a lesson with her walking stick.
Charlie approached her and said, “Mom, you just recovered. Why are you getting up?”
His eyes reddened at the sight of his mother’s fragile appearance.
Felicia snorted. “You’d rather I didn’t get up, right? That way, you can be with that vixen after I’m gone.”
In the past, Charlie and Julia had repeatedly argued and talked about getting a divorce, but Felicia had been adamant about preventing that from happening.
Now that Felicia had reconsidered her decision, she realized she had done the right thing. If I had allowed Linda to marry into the family, she would’ve taken everything away from me.
“Mom, don’t say that. Why would I ever think that way?” Charlie was utterly disappointed in Linda. Even the final hint of affection he held for her had vanished. If I didn’t fight for her and let her stay in Yeatder Villa in the past, perhaps this incident wouldn’t have happened.
Sensing Charlie’s resolve, Felicia let out a sigh of relief inwardly. “Linda cannot stay. You’ll have to thoroughly end this relationship with her when you return.”
“Mom…” He hesitated.
Felicia didn’t give him the chance to refuse. “What’s the matter? Do you still intend to keep her around?” She gazed at her son angrily, feeling rather frustrated. As he remained silent, Felicia’s temper, which had just subsided, rose again. “It’s fine if you want to keep her around, but I’ll cut all ties with you. From now on, you’ll have nothing to do with all the matters related to Hadley Corporation. Hand over all the shares your father left you, as well as all the properties in your possession. I’ll be contented having my daughter- in–law and grandson keeping me company in the future!”
Felicia’s tone was resolute, and she didn’t sound like she was kidding at all.
Not to mention, she was a woman of her word.
“Mom!” Charlie’s determination wavered. He knew he was left with no other choice.
Felicia uttered firmly, “Don’t address me as your mother. If it weren’t for Francis, I would’ve forced you two to end your relationship back then. What happened today proved that I made the wrong decision in the past. I will not repeat the same mistake. You can get out now. Cough! Cough!”
Agitated, Felicia coughed violently and even spat out a mouthful of blood.
The housekeepers hastily stepped forward to comfort her.
Charlie was also in distress. He clenched his fists as if he was pondering on an important decision.
A few moments later, he made a promise to his mother at the bedside. “Okay, I promise, Mom. Don’t be mad. Take a good rest.”
“I got it. You can leave now.” Felicia felt dizzy and utterly exhausted.
The next day, the first thing Christina did upon waking up was pay Felicia a visit.
Førtunately, Felicia recuperated well, and they avoided mentioning what had happened the day before,
Oddly enough, Charlie and his party had already left Yeatder Villa.
Christina and Nathaniel stayed for lunch before leaving.
As they were about to depart, Felicia handed Christina a hefty monetary gift. “Christina, come over and visit me more often when you’re free.”
Christina received the weighty monetary gift. “Thank you, Grandma. Will I be receiving this from you every time I come here?”
Eyes sparkling with excitement, her innocent mien appeared endearing.
Felicia chuckled in amusement. “Of course! You’ll be receiving an increasing amount, too, each time!”
As shrewd as Christina was, she made up her mind to visit Felicia more often in the future.
“In that case, I’ll be here all the time.” She hugged Felicia with warmth filling her chest.
On their way back, she gazed longingly at Yeatder Villa as the edifice grew smaller and finally disappeared from her vision. A sudden twinge crept into her heart.
During their few days together, Felicia showered Christina with affection, prompting the latter to feel reluctant to leave.
She buried her head in Nathaniel’s arms. “I’m starting to miss Grandma already.”
