Chapter 137

After working as Trevon's secretary, Selina returned to her daily life. Anticipating the visit, she planned to see Susie later that day, informing Nora beforehand.

Nora replied, "Selina, please come. Mom is doing better today. Uncle David's hand was amputated, so he's much better behaved."

Selina left immediately. Before departing, she sent Trevon a WhatsApp message and drove away in her Lamborghini. She soon arrived at Susie's suburban home, where Nora was waiting at the door. Holding Selina's hand, they discussed recent events, entering the house laughing and talking. "Selina, you've arrived at the perfect time! I just picked some roses from my garden to make cakes. Try them and see what you think."

Susie looked considerably better, wearing an apron and smiling warmly at Selina. Selina approached Susie, pressing her shoulders, looking contrite. "Susie, you won't blame me, will you?"

"I don't blame you. I know you did it for my own good. In fact, I've wanted to leave David alone many times. I knew continuing to help him would only hurt him, but our relationship is so complicated…" Susie sighed. "When I heard David's hand was actually severed, I was devastated. I didn't know how to face my adoptive parents; I haven't even visited them. But hearing he hasn't gambled since, and that his hand was reattached, I felt immense relief. It will affect his life, of course, but at least he's much better behaved now."

Whether David could work again mattered little; as long as he stayed out of trouble and avoided gambling, the money Susie sent her adoptive parents was enough for them to live comfortably.

"Susie, your brother wasn't hopeless. Desperate gamblers aren't afraid of death, only of running out of money to gamble. I knew David still wanted to live, so I made that decision." Otherwise, Selina wouldn't have known how to help. Ideally, losing his hand would teach David a lesson and prevent further trouble.

"Well, let's forget about it. Try my dessert. Selina, what do you think?"

"It's the best, Susie."

The three enjoyed a pleasant afternoon tea. Suddenly, the doorbell rang.

"Who is it? Nora, answer the door."

"Okay!"

Nora was in a good mood after Selina's conversation with Susie, noticing Susie's improved spirits. However, upon opening the door, her smile froze. "Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle David… what are you doing here?"

"If we didn't come, you wouldn't have come to us, would you?" Bernard Baxter glared at Nora, his displeasure evident even towards his beloved granddaughter. David followed, staring at Nora with hatred. Monica Baxter tugged at Bernard's sleeve. "Honey, please, let's talk calmly to Nora."

"It's because I've been too lenient in the past that Susie, my ungrateful daughter, could be so presumptuous and condone others cutting off her brother's hand! The audacity!" Bernard shouted, shaking off Monica's hand. His anger was unrestrained. "Susie, come out!"

Susie heard Bernard's voice and rushed over, her face panicked. "Why are you here?"

"Should I wait for you to visit us?" Bernard sneered, assuming the head-of-household demeanor, entering the villa arrogantly without removing his shoes.

Susie sighed inwardly, knowing she couldn't avoid this confrontation. She wished to avoid Monica's fearful gaze and David's hateful stare, but she had to resolve the issue.

As Bernard sat on the sofa with a cold expression, Susie offered to make him coffee. He scoffed, "No, no, I wouldn't dare! Your status isn't what it used to be, so how dare I ask a lady like you to make me coffee?" Susie's eyes welled up. "Dad, please don't say that. I am your daughter."

"But do you consider me your father and David your brother? You're so vicious! If you refused to help, fine. But to allow someone to cut off David's hand? Even if it's reattached, he'll never be the same!" Bernard slammed the table, his voice tight with anger.

David chimed in sarcastically, "Yeah, Dad, I think Susie's changed since she hooked up with some rich guy. She's been trying to get rid of us for ages. This time, she allowed someone to cut off my hand; who knows what she'll do next!"

"David, honey, please… don't talk about Susie like that…" Monica's anxiety was palpable; tears welled in her eyes, but she didn't know how to intervene. She knew Susie wasn't the person Bernard and David portrayed her to be. She'd raised Susie and knew her well, but she was too timid to confront them.

Nora stood up to defend Susie. "Grandpa, Uncle David, you can't talk about my mother like that!"

"What else should we say?" Bernard was about to explode when a cold voice interrupted. "I wonder what all the commotion is about! It's awfully noisy!"

"Selina!"

Seeing Selina, Nora felt relieved, rushing towards her tearfully.

"It's alright. I'm here." Selina gently touched Nora's head.

Susie, hearing Bernard, knew he was there to cause trouble. She'd hinted at Selina to stay out of it, believing she could handle it and avoid escalating the situation. But Selina's arrival brought Susie a sigh of relief; she looked to Selina for help. Susie could handle most things, but her family was her weakness; she didn't know how to confront them, even knowing that placating them only hurt them and worsened the problem. Selina nodded reassuringly. "Leave it to me, Susie."

David, seeing Selina, looked fearful, abandoning his accusatory demeanor towards Susie. He knew Selina was ruthless; she'd gone so far as to have his hand severed. He wouldn't dare bully her as he did Susie.