Chapter 237 Betrayed by a Brother
Wilber Gilbert's eyes bulged, his features contorted, and veins throbbed on his forehead. The cheek Grace had slapped seemed numb, perhaps already numbed by the cold. Chills had caused goosebumps to cover his body. His facade of cordiality was shattered by hunger and cold, igniting his fury at Grace's disrespectful treatment.
Grace, a well-known socialite from the Upper West Side, was pampered by her parents since she was a child. Entering the entertainment industry as an adult, she was always surrounded by people adoringly calling her "Grace" and catering to her every whim. She had never faced such humiliation before. Who would dare yell at her like that?
Her scalp numbed from the pulling, tufts of hair wound around Wilber Gilbert's fingers and snapped off. Grace's swollen eyes silently shed tears of defiance and anger. Yet, she couldn't break free. Once she got out, she vowed she would deal with Wilber Gilbert thoroughly. She wouldn't let him get away with it!
Holding onto Grace with one hand, Wilber Gilbert used the other to pick up a hot bowl of porridge. He gulped it down in front of her, the warmth briefly warding off the chill and relieving him.
His gaze fell upon Grace, wrapped snugly in the bedsheet.
A hint of ruthlessness flickered in his eyes.
After all, he had already taken action; Grace would certainly not let him off the hook.
Pleading now was probably futile.
He might as well go all in.
Grace realized what he was about to do and frantically clutched the bedsheet.
"Wilber Gilbert... After all, I am a woman more susceptible to the cold than you."
"You've already had your porridge. Leave the sheet for me!"
Wilber Gilbert tugged at the corner of his mouth, his smile stiff.
"Miss Curtis, you're begging for mercy now?"
Grace's expression became tense.
Wilber Gilbert continued, "How about we take turns?"
"Last night was you. Today's daytime turn is mine."
"Seems fair."
Grace's teeth chattered.
If only she had a piece of clothing to cover herself, she wouldn't be in such a disheveled state.
So, she couldn't give up the bedsheet at any cost!
"Miss Curtis, will you give up willingly, or do you want me to force you?" Wilber Gilbert asked.
Grace gritted her teeth, her eyes wide and brimming with resentment.
"Wilber Gilbert, you will regret this!"
"I will make sure you wish you were dead!"
A fleeting moment of fear crossed Wilber Gilbert's heart, but it vanished quickly.
If he kept yielding to Grace, he might not survive even the duration in the cellar.
Wilber Gilbert reached out his hand toward Grace.
…
Outside the basement wine cellar.
Faint cries could be heard.
Two servants exchanged glances, concern fleeting across their faces.
"The young master is a bit too cruel…"
"What on earth did the young lady do to make the young master so mad?"
"It seems... she supposedly drugged the young master's grandmother, but somehow, the drug ended up in the young lady's stomach, and then…"
"What? Are you serious?"
"Absolutely! Why else would the patriarch not intervene? It's because the young lady enraged the young master! Not even the patriarch could stop him!"
"My God, I can't believe it. Why would the young lady do such a thing…"
"Shh, if word of this gets out of the Curtis family, none of us will live to see another day."
"Don't worry, my lips are sealed!"
Emma didn't sleep a wink all night.
She had intended to discuss with Joshua how to appease her grandfather after returning home, only to find that Joshua wasn't there.
He wouldn't answer his phone, and it was unclear where he had gone.
Emma stood on the balcony, the cool morning breeze lifting the hem of her nightgown, chilling her.
"Fall is approaching…"
She murmured lowly.
Looking at the man sitting silently at the stone table, she bit her lip.
After Myron Curtis left the old mansion, she finally mustered the courage to go downstairs and take a look.
The sound of the car engine filled the air.
The gates of the old mansion swung open, and a blue sports car rolled in.
"Bro!"
Emma slipped into her slippers and dashed downstairs, spotting her brother like a lifeline.
Joshua had barely stepped out of the car when Emma hugged him tightly.
"Bro!"
"Sob, where have you been... Do you even realize what has happened to the Curtis family?"
Joshua furrowed his brow, having already anticipated the outcome.
He was aware of Grace's plans.
That's exactly why he hadn't shown up for Grace's celebration party.
"Sister, sister, and Wilber Gilbert got locked in the basement wine cellar all night!"
Joshua, taken aback, said, "Ah? Grace's actions have been discovered?"
"What?" Emma paused, her mind racing.
She might be naive, but she wasn't foolish.
"Bro... did you know what Sister was up to?"
Joshua realized he had said too much.
"You... you knew, and you didn't tell me!" Emma's voice edged with anger.
So, she was the only one kept in the dark out of the three of them?
"Why did you let her set herself up for misery!"
"Why would you permit her to do such disgraceful things!"
Emma's pitch rose rapidly.
Joshua glanced around, a flicker of fear in his eyes.
"My dear little cousin, keep your voice down..."
"If Grandpa hears this, I'll definitely be punished again."
He might not have been involved, but he did know about it.
Keeping silent was... not right.
Emma turned on her heel and stormed off, "And here I thought you were a good brother, but you're just like her!"
"I'm going to tell Grandpa!"
Joshua grabbed her arm in desperation, his expression a mixture of remorse and distress, "What are you trying to do?"
"Bro, I've always felt that we should behave with integrity. I know you and sister have always disliked Pretty Sister, but that's no excuse for such vile behavior!" Emma's tone held a hint of disappointment.
Joshua stared at her blankly, "So your pepper spray and wolf repellents are symbols of integrity? They're not vile?"
Emma was speechless.
She cleared her throat awkwardly.
"That... that's entirely different!"
Joshua sighed, "Emma, just stay out of this."
Emma shook off his hand and sprinted toward the villa.
"Hey, hey, hey, have you no conscience? Are you even my sister anymore!"
Emma rushed to Vito Curtis's door and almost collided with the old man as she flung it open.
Vito Curtis’s expression was sour, and his new walking stick tapped sternly on the ground.
"Rushing around like a bull in a China shop!"
Emma stepped back hurriedly.
"Grandpa, I've come to make an accusation!"
Joshua rushed over with an awkward smile and started to tug Emma away.
As she struggled, Emma's voice rose in a shout, "Grace's involvement in hurting Luann is something our brother knows all about!"
Mr Reginald's eyes flashed dangerously, his gaze inching toward Joshua.
Gulp.
Joshua swallowed hard, his lips twitching slightly.
"Grandpa, let me defend myself... I mean, let me explain..."
