Chapter 119: Two slaps to reset his brain

Chapter 119: Two slaps to reset his brain "It was Camilla and Sinclair," Margaret lowered her head slowly under Jonathan’s piercing gaze, a shadow of malice flickering deep in her eyes. "Sandra tried to harm Camilla. When Sinclair and Camilla found out she went to see Tyler, they sent someone to tamper with the room." Her voice trembled with soft sobs, laced with helplessness and despair. "Of course, we only pieced this together after everything that happened in the council hall." Jonathan’s eyes narrowed, his expression unreadable as he weighed her words. "If there’s any fault on our part," Margaret continued, her voice choked with tears, "it was just trying to survive by playing along and pinning everything on Sandra." Considering everything that had unfolded in the council hall, Jonathan was fully convinced by her explanation. The fury radiating from him gradually subsided. Unseen beneath her tear-filled eyes, Margaret allowed a fleeting glint of triumph to surface. She had spent the entire night crafting this narrative, rehearsing it over and over in her mind. All for this moment—to answer Jonathan’s interrogation and make him believe that she and her son were nothing but victims in this scheme. Before gaining control of the Porter family, Jonathan had been the sole reliance for the mother and son duo. "Such a major matter—you should have told me immediately so we could tackle it together," his anger gradually subsided. "Instead of keeping me in the dark like this." "Sandra has grandpa Porter backing her, and Camilla has Sinclair and Grandfather supporting her," Tyler shot a covert glance at Jonathan before lowering his voice to continue. "We were already cornered with no way out. We didn’t tell you because we feared any mishap might drag you down with us." A bitter smile flickered across his pallid face. "After all, Grandfather would never stand on our side." His words plunged the living room into silence once more. "Your grandfather... he’s just angry with me," Jonathan struggled to find the right words, his fists clenching involuntarily at his sides. "He..." His face twisted with helplessness. "Jonathan," Wiping the tears from her face, Margaret sat down beside Jonathan and took his hand in hers. "The old man’s favoritism is something we can’t change," she said softly, her expression tender and understanding. "But this situation might just be our opportunity. After all, Sandra is the only heir to the Porter family." Jonathan understood exactly what she meant. With Sandra as the sole successor, the entire Porter family would inevitably fall into her hands. If Tyler married her, it would be equivalent to gaining control over half of the Porter empire. Pursing his lips, he nodded slowly. "I see." Exchanging a glance with Margaret, Tyler knew they had successfully persuaded Jonathan. The tension in the living room gradually eased. A moment later, Margaret poured another cup of tea and handed it to Jonathan, her voice gentle yet cautious. "Jonathan, that Sandra is unpredictable," she murmured. "Before the engagement, I’m afraid she might stir up trouble again." "Don’t worry," Jonathan took the teacup, his expression grim as he spoke in a measured tone. "I’ll have people keep an eye on her." He took a slow sip of tea, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Besides, I’ll make sure the media splashes the engagement news between the Luther and Porter families everywhere." That way, even if just for appearances, the Porter family wouldn’t dare pull any underhanded moves. --- **Hospital, Ward Room* * "Arlo." Tiffany set down her Spoon, her icy gaze fixed on Arlo. "Don’t you have anything to say to me?" Camilla’s crimson lips curled into a mocking smirk. "Fanny," Arlo’s face twisted with discomfort. "What do you want me to say?" Still playing dumb? A flash of disgust crossed Camilla’s striking eyes. "These dishes were clearly takeout from the restaurant," Tiffany’s pale face darkened with displeasure. "Why lie and say you made them yourself?" Her eyes brimmed with disappointment. "Arlo, you know how much I hate being lied to." Even if he had simply told her he’d specially ordered these dishes for her, she would have been touched. "Fanny," Seeing Tiffany’s expression grow increasingly stormy, Arlo quickly forced an apologetic smile. "I just wanted you to forgive me sooner, to come back to me sooner," His head snapped up as he glared at Camilla, his tone turning sharp. "But this woman—" Seeing Arlo suddenly shift his attack toward her, Camilla arched an eyebrow, waiting for him to continue. "Arlo." Tiffany’s brows knitted tightly together, her voice hardening. "I’m warning you—don’t you dare drag Camilla into this!" "It is her fault to begin with!" Arlo’s gaze darkened as it settled on Camilla. "She could’ve pretended not to know anything, but she had to say it out loud—just to humiliate me and upset you." He scoffed, turning back to Tiffany. "Fanny, you should be asking her if she did it on purpose. If she deliberately wanted to keep us from making up." Tiffany bit her lip hard, staring at Arlo as if seeing him for the first time. Tch. Playing the victim now? Camilla watched him with icy disdain, as though he were something filthy. "Indeed," Her crimson lips parted slightly, her voice dripping with icy disdain and mockery. "In my eyes, a hypocritical man like you doesn’t deserve our Fanny in the slightest." *Doesn’t deserve?!* "What happens between Fanny and me is none of your damn business, you outsider!" Arlo’s face twisted with fury as he glared at Camilla, taking an aggressive step forward. "If you keep spouting nonsense, I swear I’ll—" "Arlo!" Tiffany had reached her breaking point. Seeing how Arlo was treating Camilla, she snatched the food container in front of her and hurled it straight at his head. "Shut the hell up!!" Thick vegetable soup splattered all over Arlo’s face and hair, leaving him utterly disheveled. "Tiffany, have you lost your damn mind?!" Arlo hissed through gritted teeth, rubbing the sore spot on his head. Veins bulged at his temples as his expression twisted into something vicious. "You’d actually throw food at me over some outsider?!" "Camilla is *not* an outsider," Fanny’s eyes brimmed with sorrow and disappointment, yet her voice remained unshakably firm. "She means more to me than you do." "More than me?" Arlo let out a bitter laugh, his face darkening with anger. "Fanny, do you even hear yourself?" "Perfectly," Fanny retorted, her icy gaze fixed on him. "Would you like me to repeat it?" "Ha! So some woman you barely know matters more than I do," Arlo sneered. "All these years of caring for you—wasted on someone with no gratitude." He jabbed a finger at her, his expression dripping with scorn. "No wonder your father always said you’re just as heartless as your mother..." Fanny flinched as if struck. The color drained from her face in an instant, leaving her deathly pale. Her mother had run off with another man when Fanny was just ten years old. "Heartless" was the word she’d heard most often from her father and grandmother—a label that cut deeper than any blade. Arlo had grown up beside her; he knew exactly how much those words stung. And now, he dared to toss them out so casually?! *Slap!* Before Arlo could finish, a sharp crack echoed through the air as Camilla’s palm struck his cheek. He staggered back, clutching his face, his eyes wide with disbelief as he glared at her. "You—you hit me?" Camilla didn’t answer. Instead, she swung again, her hand landing another stinging blow. "Convinced now?" Her striking eyes were icy, her delicate features hardened into frost. "If not, I’d be happy to repeat the lesson." Arlo winced as his split lip throbbed, his face twisting in pain and fury. "You think you’re something special, flaunting yourself like some cheap flirt?" he spat, his voice thick with venom. "Two slaps? Oh, you’ll regret this!" With a snarl, he lunged at her, his hand raised to strike back.