Chapter 243
Regardless, Howard still maintained a very humble stance at this moment.
“No need for that. I doubt she’s interested in meeting you,” replied Jonathan indifferently.
Yvette and Sandra’s expressions visibly eased as they felt relieved. For them, not having to apologize in person was the best outcome, as it meant they could avoid some humiliation.
After all, apologizing to people they had previously dismissed as unimportant was frustrating, especially since they regarded Rosalie as a murderer and Yvette’s former romantic rival.
Howard, on the other hand, did not breathe a sigh of relief. Instead, his brow furrowed even more tightly, and a sense of ominous foreboding crept over him. He feared the matter might not be as straightforward to grasp as he had initially believed.
“If that’s the case, we won’t bother you any further, Jonathan. We’ll be on our way,” said Sandra as she signaled to Howard with her eyes to make their leave.
However, Jonathan spoke up when Sandra started to get up. “By the way, settle your debts before you leave.”
“My debts?” Sandra looked puzzled as she didn’t know what Jonathan was referring to.
“You slapped Rosalie several times today. You can make amends by slapping yourself,” Jonathan stated casually, and Sandra couldn’t help but feel anger rising within her upon hearing him.
“He’s asking me to hit myself because I slapped Rosalie?” Sandra thought before blurting. “I owe her nothing! That woman deserved those slaps! It was just a couple of slaps, consider herself as getting off easy!”
Jonathan’s face abruptly turned grim. He rose to his feet, approached Sandra, and delivered a forceful slap in one swift move, which sent her tumbling to the ground.
The sudden slap surprised everyone as nobody expected Jonathan to strike out of the blue.
The blow particularly dazed Sandra. Clutching her slapped cheek, she had a bewildered expression on her face.
Jonathan towered over her, looking down at Sandra icy and condescendingly. “Who gave you the right to lay a hand on her? The Hamilton family has no right whatsoever to harm her in the slightest. If any of you dare lay a finger on her again, don’t blame me for dealing ruthlessly with the Hamilton family.”
Jonathan’s words held tremendous weight. Even Howard and Yvette, who were standing nearby, were utterly shocked.
Howard and Yvette wanted to say something more, but Jonathan had already ordered them to leave.
Howard sighed and could only lead his wife and daughter away. Staying longer might provoke Jonathan further, and he didn’t want to take that risk.
“Dad, can we consider the matter resolved now?” Yvette asked anxiously as they left the Youngblood residence.
Howard shook his head with a gloomy face. “I’m afraid… it won’t be that easy.”
Jonathan’s unexpected physical intervention had genuinely startled Howard. Men like him typically wouldn’t personally engage in physical altercations.
However, Jonathan took matters into his own hands just now, indicating that he was genuinely upset.
Howard was slightly apprehensive about the extent to which someone like Jonathan would go if he were truly provoked.
Sandra appeared to snap out of her daze at this moment, her face brimming with anger. “H-How dare he hit me when he’s a generation younger than me? Has he forgotten about Melanie? Besides, who does Rosalie think she is? She has a criminal record! Yet, Jonathan actually wants her! He’s really bringing honor to the Youngblood family!”
Thinking about the slap she had just received, Sandra felt an overwhelming sense of embarrassment.
In her usual upper-class coterie, Sandra typically received compliments and had never encountered such treatment.
“No, I have to show Rosalie some colors! I’m sure she’s the one who badmouthed me to Jonathan. He had never treated me like this.” Sandra, once again, shifted all the blame onto Rosalie.
“That’s enough!” exclaimed Howard. “Refrain from causing any more issues for Rosalie in the future. Let’s just conclude this matter now!”
Sandra looked at her husband in disbelief. “What are you talking about? Rosalie is the murderer who killed our daughter!”
A complex mix of emotions briefly flickered in Howard’s eyes. He looked away, almost as if he was intentionally avoiding his wife’s gaze, and said. “You should listen to me if you don’t want the Hamilton family to perish alongside Melanie!”
Sandra still wanted to say something, but Yvette gave her a gentle tug and advised, “Mom, just listen to Dad for now. We should… at least refrain from dealing with Rosalie for the time being.”
“Besides, the timing of when Jonathan would lose interest in Rosalie would depend on her luck,” she silently thought.
Sandra’s face was contorted with anger and frustration as she thought, “Did I just endure that slap for nothing? Why didn’t Rosalie die in prison?”
Back at the Youngblood residence, Rosalie descended the stairs to the living room. She had been standing behind the stairs moments ago, a spot that conveniently concealed her figure.
She saw everything that happened in the living room and overheard the conversation.
Rosalie was aware that Jonathan was avenging her aggrieves, and the humiliations she had endured that morning appeared to gradually dissipate little by little as he spoke up for her.
Upon hearing her footsteps, Jonathan turned around toward the staircase before slowly raising his hand, extending it in her direction.
His action seemed utterly intuitive, as if he would extend his hand to help Rosalie with anything, regardless of her situation.
Rosalie looked at the hand extended toward her in a daze before instinctively placing her hand in Jonathan’s palm.
His large hand securely enveloped hers.
“Why did you come down?” Jonathan asked.
I… I saw everything… behind the staircase just now. Thank you,” replied Rosalie. She bit her lips and continued, “But, there’s no need for you… to let things with the Hamilton family escalate this far because of me.”
She was somewhat aware of the vast business dealings between the Hamilton family and the Youngblood family.
Even if the Hamilton family wasn’t as powerful as the Youngblood family, Rosalie knew the Youngblood family’s business would still suffer repercussions if a serious conflict erupted.
“So what if there was a fallout?” Jonathan smiled softly. “If I fail at secking justice for you in such a matter, then I’d be a pretty ineffectual boyfriend, wouldn’t I?”
He raised his other hand as he spoke and gently caressed the swollen part of Rosalie’s face. “I think that the single slap from earlier is far from sufficient.”
She was taken aback and began wondering if Jonathan had additional plans. However, he calmly responded when she voiced her inquiries, “You’ll find out in due time. Also, if you ever encounter any trouble from anyone in the future, give me a call, alright?”
As he offered such earnest advice, Rosalie couldn’t help but pursed her slightly dry lips and said, “Your acts will only make me increasingly dependent on you.”
