Chapter 263: Offend Both Sides
Jesse rushed forward, wrapping his arms around his father from behind in an attempt to stop him. “Dad, please! Yelena just made a mistake! She acted on impulse. Don’t hit her anymore!”
George shoved him away with a forceful thrust. “A mistake? That wasn’t a mistake! That was premeditated! You really think she just suddenly decided to run off? Tell me, has the Quixall family ever treated her badly? Why else is she always thinking about leaving?”
If he had truly neglected her and been a cruel or distant father, perhaps her betrayal would make some kind of sense. But he had indulged her, pampered her. Whatever she wanted, he’d moved heaven and earth to give it to her. And yet, without hesitation, she had chosen to walk away without so much as a goodbye, running into the arms of her real father.
What a joke. What a waste of all those years I spent raising her. His hands trembled with fury. In that moment, he felt as if he could wring the life out of the ungrateful girl right then and there.
Jesse had never seen his father in such a terrifying state. Instinctively, he fell silent, the words caught in his throat, no longer daring to plead on his sister’s behalf.
Lying on the cold floor, Yelena felt her ears ringing. Her cheeks throbbed with a burning pain, as if they’d been set aflame. She knew her father would be angry, but she hadn’t expected him to be this angry. The rage in his eyes was so intense, it looked as if he might beat her to death.
Did he really have to hit me like that? All I wanted was to take Jesse and Mom to Jexburgh for a trip. It’s not like I was doing anything illegal. Does he really hate me this much… just for that?
Her tears had long since dried. She stared up at George defiantly. For the first time, a flicker of hatred emerged in her gaze. George saw how his daughter was looking at him like he was a monster, an enemy. She’s the one who betrayed me. So why does she look at me like I’m the villain? Where does she get the audacity to despise me like this?
Irritated, George snapped, “Untie her. Make her kneel in the living room. She’s not to stand until I’ve calmed down!”
At his command, Yelena was freed from the ropes, only to be dragged into the living room and forced to kneel stiffly before the table.
Deborah’s heart ached. She hurried over and wrapped her arms around her daughter. “Yelena, your father’s just upset right now. Wait until he cools down. Whatever happens, don’t hold this against him.”
But Yelena looked up with fierce, unshaken defiance. “I don’t acknowledge him as my father anymore. I’m going to the Xiques family.”
His gaze was icy, with hatred simmering beneath it. George hissed, “Then kneel here until you die. Even in death, I won’t let you set foot in the Xiques household.”
George’s footsteps echoed coldly through the stairwell until his figure disappeared from view. A suffocating silence settled over the living room, thick and oppressive. No one dared to speak.
Jesse knelt beside his sister, gently brushing her bruised cheek. “If only you had listened to me, you wouldn’t be suffering like this.”
Yelena said resentfully, “Listen to you? For what? He wants me dead, doesn’t he? Fine. Let’s see how far he’s willing to go. I’ll stay right here and wait for him to try.”
Jesse sighed and left. There was nothing more he could say.
Back when they’d tried to escape, he had told Yelena to call Manny—to let him mediate with the Yardley family. At the very least, Manny could’ve escorted them directly to the Xiques residence. With no outlet for his fury, George’s anger would’ve eventually burned itself out. But Yelena refused to listen. She was dead set on taking them on a trip to Jexburgh, of all places.
If we were going anyway, why couldn’t she just let Manny escort us? Yelena’s such a fool. She brought this beating on herself—and dragged Mom and me into it too. No matter how you look at it, she’s lost everything. Now she’s managed to offend both sides… she’s in for a rough time.