Chapter 19
“You’ve got the nerve to ask? Isn’t it all because of the constant drama with the Quigley family? They’re always showing up, causing trouble. Now Ev Whitney has been dragged into it! She tried to help by offering a job, but what did Aurora do? Not only did she shove Linna, but she hurt Whitney too!”
“Our family? A—a job? W—what job?” Wendy stammered, confused.
“It’s your niece, Stella! I’ve told you before that we value reputation in the Klein family. If someone has the skills, we’ll help them out. But if they’re mediocre, they won’t be able to handle it, even if we help them. People with no qualifications should stay in their lane. This matter has caused chaos and hurt others. That’s the problem here!”
Resalie’s sharp accusations made Wendy tremble uncontrollably, especially since Ryan was standing next to her with a cold and unforgiving expression.
“I—I didn’t know. I really didn’t know… How could Aurora have hurt Whitney? There must be some misunderstanding. Aurora’s always been kind and thoughtful—”
Before she could finish, Ryan slapped her hard across the face, sending her crashing to the floor. Her head buzzed from the pain, and she couldn’t get up. “You’re such an idiot! How the hell did I end up with someone like you? You’re always covering for others! Everything you wear and have comes from this family. You’re nothing but an ungrateful leech! If anything happens to Whitney, it’s on you!”
His icy glare made Wendy shiver.
“I—I really don’t know what happened.”
“You’re telling me you don’t know? Do you really think you can lie to my face? You keep saying you haven’t been able to reach that lod. Should I pull up your call logs and shove them in your face before you finally tell the truth?”
“You treat me like I’m stupid, and now Aurora dares to hurt my daughter? Wendy, you’ve got some nerve!”
Ryan was livid. The last time Aurora embarrassed a high-profile client, it cost him not only the deal but also his company’s reputation. They were hit hard financially, losing millions in a few weeks. It was all because of her.
After seeing Whitney hospitalized, it only made his anger boil over.
“Aurora would never hurt anyone without reason! There must’ve been some kind of conflict… And I really haven’t been able to reach her. She’s the one who contacted me. Besides, she’s only trying to avoid having you force her into some arranged marriage.”
“She’s barely gotten her life back together, and you can’t even let her live in peace! She’s done enough for the Klein family over the years. Why do you always act—”
Wendy’s heart ached for Whitney, and she couldn’t stop herself from defending her. But before she could say more, Ryan roared, “Shut your mouth!” Rosalie chimed in sharply. “If it weren’t for you covering things up back then, Whitney’s achievements would’ve been far greater! You sacrificed my daughter to indulge that brat and still have the nerve to act like you’re the victim?”
“If not for this family’s resources, Aurora would be nothing! She thinks she’s hot stuff now? She’d better know her place!”
“Aurora has brought the Klein family plenty of opportunities over the years. She’s not like that! If it weren’t for how you’ve treated her—”
Before Wendy could finish, Ryan grabbed her by the hair and started dragging her toward the bedroom. His voice was icy and cutting as he said, “How dare you—”
“Let me go! Please!” Wendy screamed.
“Mom! Don’t hurt Mom!” A young, trembling voice came from downstairs. Before anyone could react, a small, frail figure darted up the stairs, throwing himself onto Wendy.
Sebastian was barely ten, but his tiny body clung tightly to Wendy as he glared at Ryan with tear-filled, defiant eyes.
“Don’t hit my mom! She didn’t do anything wrong! My sister has done so much for this family, but all of you are too ungrateful to see it! All you do is bully her and my mom! You’re all terrible people!”
Ryan’s expression darkened with error. “You little punk! Is this the kind of son you’ve raised? Another ungrateful brat! Get out of my way!”
Ryan shoved Sebastian aside and slapped Wendy again. She cried out in pain but scrambled to shield her son. Sebastian, however, charged forward and bit down on Ryan’s wrist with all his might.
Ryan howled in pain and raised his hand to strike Sebastian. Wendy screamed and grabbed Ryan’s arm. “No! Please, don’t! Bash, run! Get out of here!”
“I’m not running! I won’t! You’re all just a bunch of bullies who hurt my mom and sister!” Sebastian clung to Ryan’s leg, ignoring the punches raining down on him.
“What are you standing around for? Get the boy off him!” Rosalie snapped at the maids.
Terrified, the maids hesitated but eventually stepped in to pull Sebastian away. As they dragged him off, Wendy was left to face Ryan’s wrath alone.
Sebastian’s fists were clenched tightly as he listened to Wendy’s cries.
“A woman needs to be kept in line if she’s out of control. That’s how you handle them.” Rosalie’s voice rang out, sharp and cold. “This is the way it’s always been. Our family doesn’t get pushed around. We have rules. If you disobey them, you face the consequences.”
Sebastian turned to glare at her with his teeth clenched, his small frame trembling with rage. He shook off the maids and ran down the stairs.
“Mr. Sebastian!” one of the maids called out, chasing after him.
“Let him go.” Rosalie said with a sneer. “He’s just a kid. What can he do? He’s awfully spoiled. Let him see the consequences of his actions so that he doesn’t grow up soft and spineless.”
Aurora didn’t go straight home after leaving the university. Instead, she made a stop at the hospital. Bryce had been rushed to the ICU again, and though she couldn’t go inside, she stood by the glass window, watching him.
“The will to live just isn’t there. If this happens again, I doubt we’ll be able to save him,” Toby said heavily.
“Honestly, though, for someone who always seemed so upbeat, I think the family stress is wearing him down. Every time a family member visits, his mood takes a hit. He just went home for a few days and is now back again.”
Aurora’s eyes stayed fixed on Bryce. After a long moment, she said quietly, “Everyone has their baggage, and sometimes, it’s just not something you can change. Thank you, Dr. Kennedy, for doing this favor for me.”