Chapter 258 You Need to Apologize to Me First
“Alright, I’ll tell you the reason why I treat you this way.” Slap! Rachel hurled the cloth she was holding to the side of the fool before slapping it on Justin’s arm. “In your eyes, you always tend to objectify anything and anyone.
I’m just an object to you—an object that can be traded and exchanged. You were like this in the past, and you’re still the same now. This pompous act of yours is rooted deep down in you. Everyone below you is merely objects.”
As she blurted that, her gaze was as cold as ice––there wasn’t a trace of warmth in it. She didn’t seem angry; she was just so cold that he started to feel alarmed.
“We are just… different. Are you satisfied with this answer?”
At this moment, he seemed to be flustered as he failed to speak.
Tossing him a cold glance, she continued as she started to walk outside, “Do you know why I returned to this country? If it wasn’t because of Charlotte, I wouldn’t be here. I do not expect anything from you. All I hope is that we’ll maintain our distance and not get in each other’s way.” After saying that, she left the kitchen.
Hearing the sound of her footsteps heading upstairs, he swung his fist toward the wall with great force. As painful as the collision might have implied on his knuckles, it was incomparable to the pain her words brought. It was the first time he felt so defeated; he felt helpless beyond words.
At this moment, he noticed a shadow lingering by the entrance of the kitchen. With his brows furrowed, he asked, “Who’s there?”
Upon the cue, Samuel showed his head from behind the door, giving Justin a sympathetic look as he asked, “Are you okay?”
“When did you come?”
“I was here for some time. I heard everything.”
Hearing that, Justin snickered, “Are you here to mock me?”
Shaking his head, Samuel supported himself against the frame of the door. “Are you trying to court my mommy?”
“What do you think?!”
Upon hearing Justin lash out, Samuel grew a little mad. Crossing his arms as he stood, he exclaimed, “If you continue to talk to me with this attitude, I will not help you!”
Justin replied with disdain, “You want to help me? How can you possibly help me?”
In response, Samuel said, “Our school will be holding a sports day soon. It will be held outdoors.”
Unimpressed, Justin asked, “So?”
“Are you dumb?! If Hernandez hears about this, he will find a way to join. That way, he’ll have plenty of time to spend with my mommy.”
As Justin thought of the possibilities that could occur outdoors, his expression changed in a split second. Hernandez seemed like a playboy who was skillful at courting ladies, so one could imagine what he’d do with such a great chance!
Seeing how horrible Justin’s expression was, Samuel sent him a wink before saying, “Don’t be too worried because I have a way to make him go away and let you join instead.”
“What do you have in mind?”
“First of all…” With his chin tipped upward, he put on a proud expression. If it wasn’t for his young age and soft voice, he’d sound much more authoritative. “You need to apologize for your cold attitude toward me just now.”
At once, Justin frowned. “You want me to apologize, to you?” The furrows on his brows were deep as he stared at the annoying little kid standing before him. Now that he heard what the kid said, he was certain that all of Rachel’s attention was not on him nor about the idea of leaving Riverdale, but on Samuel.
Hugging his arms tightly, Samuel huffed, “Forget it if you don’t want to. I don’t mind having Hernandez as my stepfather anyway. I’m leaving. Hmph!” After finishing his sentence, he turned on his heels and was about to leave.
“Wait.” Immediately, Justin called out to Samuel. It took him a brief moment before finally caving in. “I’m sorry.”
It was only then that Samuel turned back to face Justin with a triumphant look as he tilted his head to a side. “That’s more like it. You cannot treat me like that anymore in the future.”
“Hurry up and tell me what idea you have in mind.”
“You’ll know by then. I’m afraid that you’ll mess it up if I tell you now.”
“Hey!”
“Don’t hey me! I have a name.”
It was Justin’s first time getting blackmailed like this––not to mention, his opponent was just a kid. Though one may think that he’d feel offended, he seemed to be fond of that kid, even when he used to think that the kid was annoying before.
“Alright, Samuel.” Justin made a mental note to be more patient as he kneeled down before the kid. “I promise that I’ll follow your plan. Now, can you tell me what your idea is?”
At once, he revealed, “It’s simple. I’ll keep Hernandez away for a few days by sending him back to Montenegro.”
“So, you want me to go camping with both of you?”
“No, no. If you’re going, my mommy will not be willing to go too!” With a wink, he waved at Justin. “Come closer, I’ll tell you…”
At this point, Justin could only comply and lean closer to the kid. When Justin heard what Samuel had in mind, he beamed in a split second.
The night was getting dark. Behind the glorious, bustling Riverdale, was the darkness that people were oblivious to. In a crowded club, smoke was lingering in the air.
Inside, the deepest private room was so secluded that it was almost separated from everything outside. By the door, two bodyguards were holding their position. As the soundproofing was great, the noise outside didn’t affect whatever that was going on inside.
On the couch made of authentic leather sat a middle-aged man who had a cigar in his hand.
Just then, a person who seemed like an assistant came in after knocking on the door. “Mr. Caleb, we’ve managed to gather some people. Would you like to see them or talk to them in person?”
“There’s no need. Just tell them that this must be executed cleanly. The embassy cannot be involved in this.”
“Don’t worry, this has already been instructed. Due to the fact that the woman involved has a special identity, we wouldn’t dare to be uncautious.”
“There’s actually nothing special about her identity.” The man scoffed, “It’s just a mask. Don’t forget. She was born out of wedlock; nothing would change even if she’s involved with the Carter Family.”
At that moment, the sound of door knocks rang from outside. “Mr. Caleb, Miss Patterson has arrived.”
As he heard that, the frown on his face was relaxed slightly. “Alright.”
“Mr. Caleb, I’ll take my leave first then.”
“Okay.”
With that, the man’s cold face was slowly clouded by the thick smoke.
…
The next morning, Rachel saw Justin about to head out with luggage when she was having breakfast with her child.
“Daddy, where are you going?” Instantly, Charlotte threw Justin a question.
In response, Justin replied, “I’m going on a business trip. I’ll be back in two days. Behave yourself at home while I’m away.”
“Alright!”
With Rachel keeping Charlotte company, she no longer threw tantrums whenever Justin went outstation.
Seeing that there was no reaction from Rachel, Justin was a little dismayed. “Aren’t you going to ask where I’m headed to? Or when will I be back?”
Upon hearing that, she said blandly, “You’re the president of the company, so your schedule must be confidential. I have no right to ask you that.”
“Y-You…” He was at a loss for words. Needless to say, he felt wrong-footed after getting mocked by her early in the morning.
“Care for some breakfast?” She placed a bowl of oatmeal in front of him.
“Specially prepared for me?”
