Chapter 24 A Taste of Their Own Medicine
The metallic utensils resonated with a thud on the thick wooden table, carrying with them a serious force.
In a split second, Gabriel rose to his feet, his slender fingers pointing accusatorially at Rou Walton and Wendy Sackler. With a stone-cold face, he commanded without mercy, "Get these two out of here. Now."
"What? What do you mean?" Rou Walton's lips quivered as disbelief shook her to the core.
It was Xavier's eightieth birthday celebration today. At such a pivotal event, Gabriel was going to kick her and Wendy out.
She couldn't fathom it. All she did was make a couple of remarks about his wife, whom she thought unworthy of the public eye, and now he was throwing her out?
"What's the matter? Didn't I make myself clear? What are you waiting for?" When Rou didn't move, Gabriel's fury intensified, his dark eyes turning frigid.
It was clear then that Gabriel wasn't just blowing off steam; he was genuinely livid.
But Rou Walton and Wendy Sackler were, after all, from the Walton family. Though separated by generations, they still bore the Walton name.
Hesitant, Rou glanced over at Xavier.
"Mr. Xavier Walton," Rou started, "About what Gabriel said..."
Xavier looked at Rou and nodded in affirmation, "Do what he said."
Rou Walton and Wendy Sackler, who still harbored a sliver of hope that Xavier might have their back, were disappointed to find that even he wouldn't support them.
Soon, the Walton family's bodyguards entered. Immense and imposing, they positioned themselves beside Wendy Sackler and Rou Walton. "Please come with us," they stated plainly.
Rou Walton remained seated, blinking back tears, giving Xavier a pitiful look.
"Xavier, I may not be your biological granddaughter, but I'm still a Walton. On this joyous occasion of your 80th birthday, are you really going to throw me and Wendy out?"
"Dad has been gone for years, and all this time, it's just been me and Mom, alone against the world. Can you truly be this heartless?"
Rou Walton's act of desperation was spot-on.
This was exactly why Gabriel had given the order, and why Rou had hesitated, looking over at Xavier.
Rou Walton's father, Finley Walton, had passed away some years ago. Since their patriarch's passing, the mother and daughter have faced many hardships and endured much suffering.
If it hadn't been for Xavier Walton's distant family ties and his occasional benevolent concerns, they would have long ago lost any semblance of a decent life.
Initially, he reached out to them with kindness, recognizing their connection to the Walton family, but he could never abide the affront of having his granddaughter-in-law publicly humiliated at the dinner table. That was a line Xavier Walton simply could not tolerate being crossed.
"Xavier, I realize my mistake now, I shouldn't have ridiculed Gabriel's wife. My words were thoughtless. Please forgive Mom and me just this once!" Rou pleaded. "Xavier, I'm truly sorry. I know I was wrong."
Rou Walton's apology was a portrait of sincerity; with tears streaming down her face, Xavier nearly faltered.
At that moment, Wendy Sackler seized her chance. She reached for Danielle, gripping her arm firmly.
"Danielle, even though Zhao Liang and Mingbo are not blood brothers, but cousins, we're still family. They both share Xavier's bloodline. You've called me 'Danielle' for so long, could you please intercede on our behalf?"
Over the years, Danielle had indeed looked out for Finley Walton and Jonah, her cousins by marriage, out of familial sentiment.
At times, she overheard the brazen remarks of this mother-and-daughter duo.
But given they were part of the Walton family, she refrained from pursuing their offenses, so long as they weren't utterly egregious.
Little did she know that it was her very tolerance that had fostered in them their present traits: insatiable, bullying the meek, and fearing the strong, vainly coveting wealth.
Danielle quietly withdrew her arm, then turned to Wendy Sackler: "You're right, you have called me 'Danielle' for many years, and perhaps I shouldn't be standing so firmly for justice. But have either of you ever truly appreciated my goodwill? Who was Rou Walton mocking just now?"
"She was mocking my daughter-in-law, and isn't that the same as mocking me?"
At this point, if Wendy Sackler and Rou Walton had gracefully left, the Waltons would likely not make things difficult for them in the future.
But they were oblivious to their folly. Rou Walton shoved past the bodyguard, tears streaming down her face, "Xavier, you can't do this to me."
"Xavier..." Sobbing, Rou Walton ran over and knelt beside Xavier.
The banquet was in full swing, and Rou Walton's cries naturally drew many glances.
"You have three seconds to stop crying," he commanded sternly. Under Gabriel's penetrating gaze, Rou Walton obediently clamped her mouth shut.
Danielle shot her a scornful look before saying, "There was something I originally didn't plan on bringing up out of respect for you and your daughter, but since you've tossed that respect aside, I won't hold back."
"Did you know Jessica was shoved into the pool earlier? Do you know who did it?"
At these words, Rou Walton's face turned ashen. Jessica? The name rang a bell. She was the orphan Xavier had taken in, dearly beloved and doted on. To think it was her, the one seated right beside Xavier.
"You, did it?" Gabriel asked, his gaze on Rou Walton icy enough to flay her alive.
Rou Walton immediately cowered, starting to plead for mercy, but before she could finish, Gabriel reached out, grabbed her hand, and dragged her in front of Jessica.
"Apologize!" His chilling voice threatened Rou Walton's ear.
Trembling, Rou Walton burst into tears and blurted out an apology. "I'm sorry, Jessica, I was wrong to push you."
"It's okay this time; I'm fine. Just be more careful in the future." Today was Xavier's birthday, and Jessica didn't want to make a scene, so she nodded, signaling forgiveness.
The next moment, she watched Gabriel pick up Rou Walton and toss her out like a sack of garbage.
Indeed, "tossed" her out.
Wendy Sackler, too embarrassed to beg for mercy, followed Rou Walton out, their departure as graceless as it gets.
Only then did the party settle back into its rhythm.
With Xavier seemingly in good spirits, unfazed by Rou Walton's stunt, Jessica finally breathed a sigh of relief.
She quickly peeled a shrimp and placed it in Xavier's bowl. "Xavier, try this shrimp; it's quite tender."
"Sure." Xavier tasted it and nodded. "Mm, it's tender indeed, very nice."
After a busy day, Jessica was relieved to finish dinner and retire to her room for some rest. Feeling sleepy and ready to hit the sack, she grabbed her pajamas and went to take a shower.
Hearing a knock at the door, Gabriel opened it to find Timothy standing there.
"Sir, the Madam has personally prepared this for you and Jessica. This is a hangover soup for you, as the Madam noticed you had quite a bit to drink today. It should help settle your stomach and make you feel better," Timothy explained, as Gabriel's eyes fell on the clear glass container Charlotte was holding.
"This one's for Jessica, a bird's nest drink that's great for the ladies—smooth and delicate for the skin, the perfect beauty tonic. Jessica's bound to love it," Charlotte explained.
"Thanks, tell Mom I appreciate it," I said as Gabriel walked in with two cups in his hands.
The soup meant to sober him up was at just the right temperature, and with a bit of a headache setting in, Gabriel didn't hesitate to gulp it down. After finishing, he furrowed his brows in confusion.
Something was off with this soup. It didn't taste quite the same as usual, it had this... hint of herbal medicine taste?
When Jessica stepped out of the shower, her cheeks were flushed, her skin so tender it seemed you could break it with a breath. Seeing Gabriel relaxed, shoes off, tie loosened, and the top buttons of his white shirt undone, she couldn't hide her surprise.
"What's wrong? Are you feeling sick from the drink?" Jessica asked.
"I'm just hot," Gabriel said, shaking his head.
