Chapter 17 Negotiation
Holding her daughter, Juniper's eyes brimmed with tears as she glared at Alexander Beaumont with seething rage, “Alexander Beaumont, you're lower than an animal!”
Cradling the unconscious Jennifer, Juniper made her way downstairs.
Alexander Beaumont signaled to his aide standing nearby, "Don't let Juniper get away, we can't afford to stand up the Clarks!"
"Yes, I'll stop her right away."
...
Ophelia's car was parked right outside the Beaumont mansion.
Just moments before, she had wanted to go in with Juniper but was turned down.
Juniper had said she wasn't sure what kind of embarrassment she might face inside, so she wanted to save face for herself.
It was no secret that Juniper's infuriatingly authoritative father was the governor...
Ophelia was struggling with the urge to go inside when she saw Juniper emerge from the front door, carrying an unconscious Jennifer.
There was blood at the corner of Juniper's mouth.
"Juniper, why are you bleeding? Did he hit you?" Ophelia asked, her voice thick with indignation.
Ignoring the searing pain on her face, Juniper hurriedly placed Jennifer inside the car, "Ophelia, drive to the hospital now, Jennifer looks like she's in shock!"
"Got it!"
As the car was about to pull away, Alexander Beaumont's assistant, Charles, along with two bodyguards, stepped in front of the vehicle.
Charles tapped on the rear window and leaned down to see Juniper inside, saying with a smile, "Miss Beaumont, you can't leave just yet."
As he spoke, one of the bodyguards pulled the car door open and made a 'please' gesture to Juniper, "Miss, please step out."
Ophelia burst out furiously, "Don't push us too far! You think we're alone and vulnerable today, right? I'll get back-up as soon as we hit Imperial Capital!"
In X City, Alexander Beaumont was untouchable, a tyrant for years.
Juniper knew all too well that not getting out of the car now would only stir up bigger trouble.
Ophelia, take Jennifer to the hospital and contact Junifer immediately if there’s any issue.
"And you? Are you really going to apologize to the Clarks?"
Juniper gave a wry smile, "They can't do much to me. Alexander Beaumont is counting on me to secure an alliance with the Clarks through marriage; he won’t lay a finger on me. You just take care of Jennifer."
As Juniper stepped out of the car, her two bodyguards trailed behind her, shadowing her every step as she climbed into Alexander Beaumont's vehicle like a prisoner being transported.
The drive to the Clarks felt like a solemn march towards a grim fate, and Juniper was painfully aware of the repercussions that awaited her when she'd offer her apology to the Clarks.
Rain had begun to fall outside, casting a veil of mist upon the windows of the car. Alexander Beaumont kept instructing her, "Once we get to the Clarks', be on your best behavior, and lose that deadpan expression."
Juniper, numbed by emotion, remained silent.
Catching sight of her casual attire and pale complexion, Alexander's eyes brimmed with dissatisfaction. "How can you dress so casually? No makeup either? What do you expect David to think of you looking like this?"
Juniper scoffed, "Better if he doesn't give me a second look."
Up front, the driver, Charles, suggested, "Governor, perhaps we should stop at a boutique to find something suitable for Miss Beaumont."
"That might be best. The Clarks will just have to wait."
In the luxury boutique, Juniper moved listlessly, her outfit and appearance manipulated by the whims of others. She emerged, transformed into the dazzling Miss Beaumont of outward appearances, yet void of any sign of vitality.
Alexander Beaumont nodded in approval this time, "That's more like it. Let's go!" He seemed confident that this polished version of Juniper would catch David's eye.
...
Ophelia drove Jennifer to the nearest hospital in a rush of worry and urgency.
"Doctor, how is my child?" Ophelia asked, her voice tinged with fear.
"She's had a fright, and with her weak heart, that led to her fainting. Nothing serious, thankfully. A glucose drip and some rest should do her good. But we really should schedule surgery soon for that patent ductus arteriosus—it's better to treat it sooner rather than later," the doctor explained.
Suddenly it all made sense to Ophelia. No wonder Juniper had been busking and taking on part-time jobs lately; it was all to save money for Jennifer's surgery.
"Alright, thank you, Dr. William."
Once the doctor had left, Jennifer, rousing on the hospital bed, weakly grasped Ophelia's hand, "Godmother, where's my mom?"
"Your mom? She's... tied up at the moment, but she'll be back soon," Ophelia reassured her with a gentle voice, masking the complex truth behind her words.
Jennifer shook her head in disbelief. "Godmother, can you call someone to rescue my mom? Grandpa's too mean, I'm afraid they'll bully her."
Yeah, Alexander Beaumont was mean, and David was no angel either.
Ophelia patted the child's hand gently. "You get some rest, and I'll step outside to make a call, Jennifer. Don't you worry, your godmother's going to find someone to save your mom."
Finally, Jennifer nodded obediently, her chin quivering, "Thank you, godmother."
Ophelia closed the hospital room door and pondered for a while before deciding to give Michael a call.
Magnus was so full of hate towards Juniper that he likely didn't care whether she lived or died.
But Michael... he still had a shred of decency.
"Hey, Michael, Juniper's been taken by her dad to apologize to the Clarks. Last time Juniper smashed David’s head, and this time she's walking right into the lion's den. David won't let her off easy."
On the other end, Michael was driving.
"My sister just flew back into Imperial Capital today, and I just picked her up from the airport. I'm on my way home. As for Juniper... I'm afraid..."
Fearful that he'd turn a blind eye, Ophelia interjected, "I wouldn’t call if I had any other choice. Juniper doesn't have many friends. With Magnus blinded by hatred, Juniper’s fate is in David’s hands. At best, her honor is at stake; at worst, her life. You're the only one who can pull her out of the Clarks' grasp."
Ophelia intentionally laid it on thick.
Michael couldn't help but worry. "Got it. I’m on my way to X City."
"Thank you! Please hurry!"
"Yeah, I got it."
After hanging up, Michael glanced at Patricia in the passenger seat and offered a regretful smile. "Patricia, I've got some urgent matters to handle. Mind taking a cab home?"
Patricia curled her lip. "Bro, it's my first day back in the country! And with this downpour outside, how could you make me take a cab alone?"
"I'll pay you back, okay?" Michael pleaded with a hopeful gaze.
Patricia was quick on the uptake, throwing a teasing wink at Michael, "Hey bro, I just heard Juniper's name. Isn't she Magnus's ex? Why are you dealing with her stuff?"
Michael paused for a beat, "She is indeed Magnus's ex, but don’t forget, Juniper was also my underclassman."
"Underclassman or not, you're not thinking of... making a move on Magnus’s old flame, are you? You're always so eager when it comes to anything about Juniper!"
"Knock it off, Patricia. Get out of the car. The situation with Juniper is actually quite urgent."
"If you won't take me home, I'll call Magnus to pick me up!"
Before Michael could stop her, Patricia had already dialed Magnus’s number.
"Hey, Magnus, it's Patricia. Can you come pick me up on Santa Maria Road?"
"Where's your brother?"
Patricia looked at Michael with a mockingly playful gaze, speaking into the phone, "Oh, my brother... he's off to handle something with Juniper!"
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