Chapter 523 Settling New and Old Scores Together
Brian slammed his water glass down on the table, sending the remaining tea-colored liquid splashing across the glass surface, leaving it wet and messy.
A few droplets even landed on Jennifer and the others, creating small wet patches on their clothes.
Brooklyn flicked the water off her dress with her slender fingers, her eyes sparkling with a smile that outshone the water droplets.
Brian glared at his daughter-in-law from across the table, his eyes cold and piercing. "Brooklyn, I'm the head of this family! I'm not dead yet! Who gave you the right to speak like that? He's your husband's uncle! You think you can just take over Donny's factory and get away with it? Who do you think you are?"
Brooklyn looked up, her eyes misting over with a mix of grievance and sadness. Her voice softened, "What did I say wrong to make you so angry?"
Quinn put down his glass, ready to defend Brooklyn. Seeing her suddenly on the verge of tears made his heart ache.
Brian let out a cold, harsh breath, his eyes filled with decades of cunning and ruthlessness. "Don't play the victim with me. You think I don't know what you and Sebastian have been up to? Taking over the factory is just the beginning. Sebastian secretly funneled money into the Taylor Group and used a huge sum to buy that worthless ring on your finger. You think I don't know?"
Brooklyn smirked inwardly. So Brian had been holding back, waiting to settle old and new scores together?
Fine!
It had been a while since she faced off with Brian. Memories of that scene in the detention center three years ago flooded back, bringing with them waves of resentment, pain, anger, and fury.
Brian, oh Brian, the man who forced her to leave Aucester and exiled her from the country!
Her husband's father, did he ever consider his own actions?
She steadied herself, her intelligence and wisdom evident in her gaze as she looked at the furious Brian.
Observing the reactions of those around her, she smiled gently but firmly, "Do you want my explanation, or are you ready to condemn me as disloyal and unfilial?"
"Hmph! Disloyal and unfilial, you said it yourself! Clear as day!" Brian sneered.
Brooklyn stood up gracefully. "Everyone, the food is ready. Let's not let my presence ruin dinner for everyone. That would be my fault. Let's discuss this at the table."
She hadn't expected Brian to be so direct and air such grievances openly. It was quite a move!
Quinn tried to smooth things over, "Brooklyn's right, let's eat."
The lavish spread of dishes at the dinner table couldn't mask the tension. Brian was determined to make Brooklyn's meal uncomfortable.
Brooklyn smiled as she served Jennifer some food. "Jennifer, I haven't had the chance to show my respect to you and Brian properly. I'll make it up to you. Since Sebastian isn't here today, I'll toast on his behalf. I'll drink, and you can do as you please."
She downed her glass in one go, then placed it upside down on the table.
Her confident demeanor and commanding presence were undeniable.
"Don't just stare at me, everyone. Eat up. Brian wants an explanation, so I'll clarify things now."
She put down her glass and toyed with her fork. "The factory was a gift from Donny himself, as Brian now knows, so there's no need for me to waste my breath.
Sebastian invested in the Taylor Group because he knows where his money is safest and most meaningful. Dad, surely you know the Taylor Group is my parents' asset, which will eventually be mine. It will be part of our marital property. What's wrong with moving my own money to a different account?"
Brooklyn placed a piece of fish on Brian's plate. "Brian, having a lot of money is good, but money can be sharp. Use it carefully, or you might get hurt."
Brian glanced at the fish, noticing the bones sticking out.
Brooklyn's lips curved into a smile as she continued, "As for the ring, something that symbolizes a lifetime can't be measured by money. No matter how expensive, it's just a stone. But Brian, this stone represents my and Sebastian's unbreakable marriage! Unyielding and invincible! No one, no force can shake it!"
Her eyes sparkled brighter than the diamond on her finger.
Donny and Amarantha shivered at her boldness. How dare she speak to Brian like that!
Brian paused with his fork. "No matter how you explain, it doesn't change the fact that you used my son's status to climb to your current position. How dare you challenge me!"
Donny chuckled, "Brooklyn, maybe you should say less. You're still just Sebastian's wife, not the wife of the one in power."
Quinn gritted his teeth, "Brooklyn may not be the wife of the one in power, but she's still part of the Kingsley family! How dare you speak like that!"
Brooklyn gave Quinn a look and continued, "Brian, I don't understand. When I married Sebastian, the Kingsley family didn't give me any status. For three years, I never took a penny from the Kingsley family. This position? Honestly, it's been a burden. If it weren't for Sebastian, I wouldn't be interested in MBK even if you gave it to me."
"You want MBK? Dream on!"
"Yes, it is a dream, a nightmare. So whoever wants it can have it. Gold is blinding, and I can't afford it."
"Hah! Brooklyn, are you planning to fight me to the end?" Brian's meal had lost all flavor. When did this woman become so sharp?
Brooklyn smiled slightly, playing with a piece of lettuce on her fork. "And Brian, let me explain disloyalty and unfilial piety."
Her eyes were moist and stunningly beautiful. "Sebastian single-handedly saved MBK from a financial crisis, working tirelessly to bring the company back. You returned as chairman and weakened his shares. Brian, what is loyalty?"
Three years ago, I was falsely imprisoned. When I had nowhere to turn, I was told I would be permanently exiled. I begged on my knees, only to receive an expulsion order. I wanted to be filial, but no one gave me the chance. You tell me, what is filial piety?"
"When I returned to the country, someone approached me to join Aucester Hospital, under the guise of saving lives. I agreed, only to later find out it was all a ploy to divert media attention and make me a scapegoat. Brian, tell me, what is compassion?"
"And I want to ask Herschel, how can a brother abandon his sibling for business interests, leaving him in dire straits, only to return later seeking roots and heritage? I'd love to hear your definition of loyalty."
Brooklyn spoke with calm and reason, her anger simmering beneath a composed exterior. Her lips curved into a slight smile, her lashes fluttering, her stunning face serene.
Her words left everyone at the table stunned, unable to respond for a long moment.
Brooklyn picked up her wine glass and poured herself a drink. "Brian, Jennifer, Herschel, you are all close relatives of Sebastian. I'm clarifying things to prevent further rifts within the family.
This second glass is for you. Let's let bygones be bygones and move forward.
Everything I've endured, I'll wipe clean today. But if anyone stabs me in the back again, I, Brooklyn, will not remain silent, even if it means leaving the Kingsley family."
The wine in her glass shimmered, reflecting her radiant beauty as she looked around the table.
She was giving them an out, a chance, but only this once.
Jennifer quickly raised her glass. "Alright, alright, we're all family. Let's not dwell on the past. Brooklyn is a sensible child. Brian, Herschel, there's no need to hold grudges."
Brian's hand trembled as he raised his glass, his anger barely contained. He set the glass down heavily. "What right do you have to make peace with me over a drink? Brooklyn, without Sebastian, you're nothing!"
His disdainful look, mocking smile, and threatening tone were typical of Brian.
It seemed a peaceful resolution was out of the question.
Brooklyn set her glass down as well. "Dad, is it me you can't stand, or is it Sebastian? It seems like your target isn't just me."
"Neither of you has good intentions!"
"Oh..." Brooklyn sighed. "But it was we, with 'bad intentions', who saved MBK and brought honor to the Kingsley family. Without Sebastian and me, what would the Kingsley family be left with? Tycoons? Capitalists? Ruthless businessmen? Do you like those labels?
Without Sebastian, have you thought about MBK's future?"
Brian, furious, stood up abruptly, raising his hand to strike Brooklyn. She quickly raised her arm to block him.
"Brooklyn, how dare you insult me!"
Brooklyn winced in pain, a vein throbbing on her forehead. "We're just having a family chat. Why resort to violence? Is this how you taught Sebastian?"
"Right, they say a father's failure to teach is his fault. Before blaming your son, reflect on yourself. Quinn is still young. Maybe if you reflect, you can raise him to be more successful than his brother. With two sons, surely one will meet your approval. Otherwise, it would be a shame for such a vast empire to fall into someone else's hands."
She finished, gritting her teeth, and forcefully released Brian's wrist.
"Haha!"
Herschel, who had been watching, finally laughed. How interesting. The Kingsley family was already in such disarray. Did he even need to intervene?
Clearly, it was self-destructing!
"Who knew Brooklyn was so sharp-tongued! Quite the eye-opener!"
Quinn and Jennifer both looked at Herschel. Quinn said, "Herschel, you're enjoying the show, aren't you?"
"Not at all. I just think it's rare for the Kingsley family to have someone as outstanding as Brooklyn. It's just a shame her strength is misdirected, used against her own family."
Brooklyn, enduring the pain in her arm, smiled gracefully. "What are you saying? Even in the old days, when noble families fought fiercely, they still united against external enemies."
Herschel's tongue curled in his mouth, his gaze icy. "Oh? So you're suggesting the brothers should split the family?"
Brooklyn laughed. "In this story, do you think the protagonists are me and Sebastian against Brian, or you and Donny against Brian?"
Herschel's face twisted, his expression unnatural.
Brooklyn smiled lightly. "Don't be nervous, I'm just joking. But seriously, no matter how dirty something is, it will eventually be destroyed in the light of day. Don't you agree?"
That meal left Herschel and Donny with indigestion, and Brian fuming with anger.
Quinn felt refreshed.
Jennifer realized she could no longer see Brooklyn as an enemy.
Quinn wanted to praise Brooklyn, but she dismissed him with, "I'm tired, I'll go rest now."
What a dinner, filled with so many emotions! Brooklyn couldn't help but laugh and cry.
What a family, what a complex web of relationships! Brian, that old fox, would rather support Herschel, who clearly had ulterior motives, than his own son!
She was starting to wonder if poor Sebastian was even Brian's real son!
Later that night, Brooklyn sat at her vanity, drying her hair after a shower. Her phone, which had been silent for a while, buzzed.
She picked it up and saw a message from Sebastian.
'That's odd, he shouldn't be in Averlake at this time.'
[Darling, the weather's bad, and the plane had to make an emergency landing. I'm at a hotel. Where are you? What are you doing?]
For some reason, seeing Sebastian's message starting with "darling" made the fierce Brooklyn from dinner suddenly soften. Her eyes filled with warmth as she held her phone, a sweet smile on her lips.
[I'm at The Kingsley Villa...]
She started typing, then deleted it.
She smiled and typed a new message, [I'm in bed, thinking of you.]
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