Chapter 10
“As long as you steer clear of illicit activities, why would I ever be disappointed?” Putting on her socks and shoes, Rosalie headed toward the small table.
The corners of Jonathan’s lips curled up as he gazed at her figure, his eyes glittering subtly. He murmured, “Do hold onto those expectations, Rosie.”
Ever since that night at the club, Loretta had been on edge. After all, Jason’s behavior that night was rather unusual. Moreover, he no longer appeared on set since the very next day. Two days later, even the director was switched out.
The film crew’s explanation regarding the changes was ambiguous, but Loretta somehow sensed that the director’s replacement had something to do with Jason and maybe even Rosalie.
A few days later, she was shocked to hear that Jason was severely injured and hospitalized and that his right hand was suspected to be disabled permanently. If she remembered correctly, that very hand was the one he had used to slap Rosalic.
Panic surged within Loretta. She pondered, “What in the world is going on? The way Mr. Holt’s attitude toward Rosalie changed after that phone call and this dire situation he’s in now… Could all this be a mere coincidence? Or does Rosalie really have a powerful backer supporting her? But if she does, why would she be cleaning the roads so pathetically?”
Loretta couldn’t help but share the incidents that unfolded at the club that day with her parents/When Gordon learned that Loretta had asked Rosalie to be an escort, he shot her a glare. “How could you let your sister do such a thing? Our family is
still—”
“She just asked Rosalie to accompany them for a drink. Besides, Loretta did that for the family. Our family can only look forward to better days when Loretta succeeds. Are you seriously planning to rely on Rosalie, an ex-convict?” Caitlin. interrupted.
Gordon’s demeanor turned gloomy at that, but he didn’t say anything more.
“Dad, did Rosie really find a backer? Otherwise, how could Mr. Holt let her off the hook? He’s even hospitalized now!”
Loretta exclaimed.
Of course, Gordon was clueless as well.
Caitlin chimed in. “You’re her father, so you should ask her and make sure. If she really has a backer, she should at least. inform the family. My concern is she might have been lured into some shady business, and she might get our family involved in the mess! She’s an ex-convict. We don’t know what kind of people she met there!”
As Caitlin spoke, she grew more convinced of her own speculations. She thought, “How could Rosalie possibly find a backer, considering the state that she’s in? She’s most likely involved with shady individuals who have no qualms about getting jailed!”
Hearing Caitlin’s words, Gordon said sternly. “She better not! If she brings any disgrace upon this family again. I will break her legs!”
While Rosalie was waiting for Jon to come back for dinner in her rental home after cooking, the doorbell rang. The moment she opened the door, she saw Gordon, Caitlin, and Loretta.
As the three of them stormed into the rental home, Gordon did not hesitate to confront her. “Did you acquaint yourself with some shady people in the prison? Listen, if you dare risk our family’s reputation, I’ll teach you a hard lesson!”
“What did I do to deserve this?” Rosalie looked at her father coldly.
“Did you have someone break Mr. Holt’s hand? He only wanted you to accompany him for a drink and did nothing else. How could you be so cruel? Did you not learn anything from being in prison? You think you’re above all now because you met some gangsters in there?” Gordon shouted.
Rosalie sneered and retaliated, “Well, what goes around comes around. And if you think there is nothing wrong with being amescort, then have your favorite Loretta do it rather than letting her scheme against me!”
Chapter 10
“That’s what you owe her! If it weren’t for you, she-”
“If it weren’t for me, did you think she would have been chosen for that female lead role?” Rosalie retorted. “So, drop the narrative that I owe her. I’ve never been indebted to her!”
“Rosie, I never blamed you for anything. You don’t have to talk to Dad like that,” Loretta interjected, feigning a pitiful demeanor.
Caitlin hurriedly comforted Loretta and looked at Rosalie with displeasure. “Rosalie, don’t take out your anger on your sister. Your father only hopes to steer you away from trouble. Another prison term would tarnish our family’s name!”
“Why bother telling her all this? Anyway, Rosalie, go to Mr. Holt right away and ask for forgiveness no matter what it takes. Don’t drag Loretta down because of this matter. Do you hear me? If you dare to ruin her future again, you’ll be sorry!” Gordon ordered.
Rosalie found the situation ridiculous. She thought, “Does he really think he can control my every move? Or is his bias clouding his judgment, causing him to neglect everything else?”
“I won’t apologize. You can go back now. You’re not welcome here, Rosalie said.
Hearing this, Gordon snarled angrily, “How dare you disobey me!” He raised his hand, aiming a slap at Rosalie.
Rosalie instinctively wanted to step back, but the moment she moved her foot, a burst of pain came from her ankle.
Her injury from the electric scooter accident was not fully recovered yet.
As Gordon’s hand descended, Rosalie braced for the slap. Right at that moment, another hand intervened, halting Cordon’s movement by grabbing his hand mid-air.
“Jon!” Rosalie couldn’t help but call out. She didn’t expect him to come back at this time.
Jonathan looked at the three uninvited guests icily. He had read Rosalie’s information and therefore knew that they were her Tather, stepmother, and half-sister.
“Get out.” He uttered coldly.
“Who are you to interfere when I’m teaching my own daughter a lesson? Let go!” Gordon yelled furiously, feeling as if his hand was about to break from Jonathan’s grip..
Soon after, Gordon got more than he bargained for. Jonathan threw him out of the rental home forcefully.
Caitlin and Loretta hurried outside and helped Gordon up.
“Rosalie, you’re just going to watch this man do this to your father?” Caitlin reprimanded.
“Who is he?” Gordon gritted his teeth with hatred and continued, “Impressive, Rosalie. Fresh out of prison and you’ve already hooked up with a man…”
Gordon’s voice paused abruptly when he sensed a terrifying aura from the man before him. He felt as if he was being targeted by a fierce predator. One more word from him, and the man would kill him right away.
Bang!
Rosalie slammed the apartment door shut.
