Chapter 18 Counterattack
"Patricia! Stop it!"
Michael snatched the phone from Patricia's hand, hastily explaining, "Magnus, don't listen to her. She's just joking. I—"
But clearly, Michael couldn't fool Magnus.
"Didn't I say that you're to stay out of Juniper's business? Michael, are you taking my words for granted now?" Magnus's voice was cold and firm.
Michael sensed his meaning; if he insisted on getting involved, Magnus would likely lose his temper, potentially harming their brotherly bond.
Still worried, Michael couldn't help but speak up for Juniper, "Magnus, Juniper's gone to apologize to the Clarks. She barely escaped last time; without our help now, she's heading into the lion's den!"
Magnus, however, was more ruthless than he'd anticipated.
"That's her problem. It has nothing to do with me, and even less with you."
With those words, Magnus hung up the phone without waiting for Michael to say another word.
Patricia was hardly surprised as she said, "Look, Magnus will never let you go rescue that woman! Bro, don't forget, six years ago, it was Juniper who got Magnus locked up! Helping Juniper would be like picking a fight with Magnus!"
Michael was irritated, "Patricia, you're being ridiculous!"
It was a matter of life and death.
"How am I being ridiculous, Mike? You’re so sharp about everything else, but you get all foggy when it comes to Juniper! Magnus hates Juniper with a passion. If you dare to rescue her, it's like you're stepping all over Magnus's pride. Bro, you can't go! Anyone else, but not you. You're Magnus's closest brother; it can't be you!"
Patricia did have a point.
If he defied Magnus's orders to save Juniper, it was sure to leave an indelible rift between him and Magnus.
Juniper was Magnus's Achilles' heel, a line that should never be crossed.
But the thought of what Juniper might be facing... Michael found himself in a tough spot.
...
The Clarks.
Juniper stood under the glittering chandelier, being sized up by the Clarks like merchandise on display.
Mrs. Clark couldn’t hide her disdain: “Elder Mr. Beaumont, our families were set to unite in marriage, a match that I initiated and we all agreed upon. But Juniper ran off with some wild boy, and everyone in the city knows it. The Clarks are one of the most respected families here. I do like Juniper, but there’s the matter of public opinion. How can we maintain the Clarks' reputation in this town?”
Richard started to smooth things over: “Everybody makes mistakes when they're young; it's no big deal. Elder Mr. Beaumont, our families joining through marriage is a joyous occasion. Juniper is so beautiful – she's more than a match for our son!”
Alexander Beaumont was on the verge of a sigh of relief.
David was already being difficult: "Dad, it's been a while and my head is still reeling from the whack she gave me. How embarrassing would it be if word got out? That day, Juniper outrightly declared in front of everyone that she turned down the Clarks' proposal. And now, what's this? Are we Clarks supposed to be begging for a marriage proposal? I've never been so humiliated in my life!"
At the sound of these words, Alexander Beaumont raised his hand and slapped Juniper across the face: "You insolent girl! Who gave you the audacity! Marriages are decided by the parents, not by you. Apologize to David this instant!"
Mrs. Clarks chuckled, "Calm down, Elder Mr. Beaumont. Juniper is sensible enough. She made a mistake and here she is today, ready to apologize. To err is human, to forgive divine!"
Alexander Beaumont immediately urged, "Juniper, apologize already, will you?"
Juniper stood there, her gaze lowered, silent as a statue.
David, fueled by vengeance, retorted, "Mr. Beaumont, it seems your family isn’t too keen on a union with the Clarks either, given the lack of sincerity I'm seeing here!"
"Juniper is just a bit headstrong, she's admitted her mistake to me at home..." began Alexander Beaumont.
David sneered, "Admitted her mistake? I've yet to see any sign of it. She's injured me to the point that I had to get checked at the hospital – a severe concussion, with potential long-term effects. With the hospital's report, I could press charges for assault!"
Alexander Beaumont's face turned ashen, and he warned Juniper in a low tone, "Do you want to end up behind bars? Remember, little Jennifer depends on you. If you fail to secure this engagement today and the Clarks press charges, don't expect me to bail you out!"
At the mention of Jennifer, Juniper's thick lashes trembled...
She swallowed hard, her throat parched, and finally said, "How exactly does David want me to apologize?"
David laughed lightly, "Since Miss Beaumont has asked, I won't make it too hard on you. Quite simple, really. As you drove in, you must have noticed the mountain beside the Clarks' estate. We've built a chapel there. Climb the stairs, kneel at every step, and tell God you were wrong."
Juniper's face turned ghostly pale.
Alexander Beaumont seemed troubled, yet he reluctantly agreed, “If David insists on this, there's nothing to be done, Juniper. I've told you before, disobedience comes with a price. You always had a stubborn streak!”
Charles, Alexander Beaumont's assistant, found the situation hard to watch. In a low voice, he reminded his boss, "Governor, it's pouring rain outside."
With an unrelenting demeanor, Alexander Beaumont replied, "Let the downpour highlight her sincerity. She must bear the consequences of her mistakes!"
...
At Sycamore Group.
Thunder boomed beyond the expansive floor-to-ceiling windows.
Pellets of rain pelted against the glass, shattering in an instant.
Somehow, these raindrops reminded Magnus of Juniper's tears.
Relentless just the same.
And just as irritating.
Joseph walked in with a cup of coffee, noticing Magnus frowning with worry.
But a crucial board meeting was soon to take place.
"Mr. Blackwood, should we postpone the meeting?"
"No, let's proceed as planned."
"Alright."
After Joseph left, Magnus's gaze fell upon a sketchbook on his desk.
He slumped wearily onto the sofa, flipping through the torn sketchbook absentmindedly.
Page by page, it was filled with sketches of him—working intently, gazing at her with focus, kissing her...
It was all Juniper's work, torn to fragments by his own hands on the day they parted ways.
Later, in his solitude, perhaps out of sheer boredom, he'd painstakingly glued the pieces back together.
But like a broken mirror, the scars, no matter how meticulously restored, could never be entirely concealed.
His fingertips grazed the jagged tears, now sticky with the tape that held them together.
Juniper, always managing to prick at him.
No matter how David tormented her, it was merely the comeuppance she deserved, wasn't it?
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