Chapter 296:

Lanny pounded the iron fence furiously, creating a loud noise. Hiding behind Glenda, Mabel cast an apprehensive glance outside the villa. "Mom," she whispered, "This is the first time I've seen Dad this angry. Will he hurt me?"

Shielding Mabel, Glenda fought back her fear, gently patting Mabel's shoulder. "Go to your room, dear. I'll talk to him."

Mabel frowned. "Maybe I should talk to him. I started this mess. If I explain, he might understand and help us."

Confident that Jayden posed no immediate threat—or that even if he did, he wouldn't harm them for Elyse's sake—Mabel's strategy hinged on securing Elyse's cooperation.

"No way," Glenda retorted sharply. "He's too angry to listen." She composed herself, ushering Mabel back to her room. "Go to your room. I'll handle this."

After escorting Mabel to her room, Glenda calmed herself and opened the iron gate with a button.

"Where the hell are you two?!" Lanny shouted, bursting into the yard. "Glenda, show yourself, or I'll burn this house down!"

Glenda emerged onto the porch, her face grim. Feigning calm, she said, "Stop shouting. Come inside."

At the sight of Glenda, Lanny's fury erupted. He rushed toward her and slapped her hard, catching her off guard. Before she could recover, he began to assault her.

"You bitch! You ignored my calls! I'll kill you!" Lanny's eyes blazed with rage. Glenda groaned in pain, collapsing to the floor.

From her room, Mabel witnessed the attack. "Stop it! You'll kill Mom!" she cried. "Stop! She was only acting on my behalf!"

Mabel rushed to her mother's side, shielding her from Lanny's blows. His anger intensified at her appearance.

"How dare you show your face? This is all your fault!"

Mabel retorted, "I was defending my career! You don't understand! You only want to ruin our lives. Come with me. Apologize to Jayden and plead for our lives." Lanny roared and kicked her. Clutching her abdomen, Mabel gasped, "That's impossible. Elyse ruined my career. She owes me an apology."

"You're dragging us down!" Lanny, seething, raised his hand to strike Mabel again.

Glenda stood, shielding Mabel. Unable to bear watching her daughter be hurt, she pleaded sadly, "Please don't hurt her. She's your daughter. Doesn't it pain you to see her career destroyed?"

Mabel cried out, "Hit me! Kill me! You don't care about me! You won't protect me! You're not fit to be called a father!"

Lanny, eyes blazing, breath ragged, hesitated. The slap never landed. "You'll kill us all," he finally said.

Glenda embraced Mabel, tears streaming down her face as she checked for injuries. "You've spoiled her! Look at this mess! You'll get yourself killed because of her!" Lanny exclaimed, his frustration boiling over.

Mabel snorted defiantly. "Perhaps she'll be a victim of your violence."

Lanny clenched his jaw, hatred in his eyes, but the slap remained unstruck. After a tense silence, he sighed heavily. "Have you thought about how to deal with Jayden's anger?"

Mabel rolled her eyes. "Are you really that scared of him? Jayden's Elyse's husband, and I'm her sister. Even if I hurt her, what could he do? Elyse wouldn't want him to hurt her own sister. I'll talk to Elyse, and she'll forgive us."

"You've got your escape plan figured out," Lanny remarked.

"Exactly," Mabel retorted. "You're Elyse's father. What can Jayden really do to you?"

"Are you sure he'll forgive us? What if he doesn't?"

"If he doesn't forgive us," Mabel said, "it's Elyse's fault. She should be able to convince Jayden to let us go."

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