Chapter 399 Hayden's Apology Unveils Consequences of Spoiling Jocelyn
As soon as the video connected, the scene of Jocelyn kneeling on the floor appeared, with a bodyguard standing over her, relentlessly slapping her face, causing it to swell and bleed profusely, accompanied by the sharp sounds of the slaps and Jocelyn's miserable pleas for mercy.
As she watched the video, Teresa's brows knotted in distress. She quickly cried out, "Hayden, what are you doing? Stop it right now!"
On his end, Gabriel was surprised to see Hayden, who had been so harsh with his most beloved sister, quite capable of such firm action.
True to The Smith family's heir, decisive indeed.
"Gabriel, Teresa, I'm so sorry. The mess that Jocelyn has gotten herself into is partly my fault. I've spoiled her too much over the years, let her think she can do no wrong, and now she believes she's unstoppable, acting on impulse without considering the consequences," Hayden expressed her apologies with full sincerity from her hospital bed, her gaze locked with Teresa and Gabriel's on the screen.
"Hayden, what happened to you? Why are you in the hospital? How are the kids?" Teresa immediately inquired, her concern evident as she looked at Hayden's image on the video call.
"Teresa, don't worry about me right now. I'm here today to apologize to you and Gabriel," Hayden replied earnestly.
— Was Hayden apologizing to them?
Confused, Teresa turned her head to look at Gabriel by her side.
"I got away from an avalanche, hit my head on a rock, and passed out. Luckily, Jocelyn and her friend found me and took me back with them. But Jocelyn drugged me, trying to keep me there against my will," Gabriel explained with brevity, holding Teresa close to him.
"But why would Hayden's sister want to hold you captive?" Teresa asked, her confusion deepening.
Gabriel looked at her with a helpless smile and said, "Silly girl! Of course, it's because Jocelyn has a crush on me. She wants to sleep with me and even asked me to divorce you and marry her."
"What?!" Teresa was shocked but quickly grasped the gravity of the situation. She connected the dots between Luke's findings and Gabriel's call the previous morning.
Immediately, her face turned stern, and she looked at Hayden on the screen, "Hayden, is what Gabriel is telling me true?"
It wasn't that she didn't trust Gabriel, but she needed Hayden to concede Jocelyn's wrongdoing personally.
Without the intention to hide anything, Hayden nodded and hummed an affirmation.
"In that case, I'm sorry, but I cannot forgive Jocelyn, even if she is your most beloved sister," Teresa refused without a moment's hesitation, her resolve evident.
Gabriel wrapped his arms around her, and his lips curved into a smile, clearly delighted by her stance.
"Teresa, I understand. After what has happened, I know you can't just forgive Jocelyn," Hayden admitted, bowing her head in thought for a moment before raising her eyes to meet Teresa's through the camera. "Tell me what you want to do with Jocelyn."
— Teresa to decide Jocelyn's fate.
Teresa furrowed her brows, glancing up at Gabriel.
Gabriel remained silent, waiting for her to make the call.
Teresa's gaze returned to the video feed.
On the screen was a haggard Hayden, and beside him, Jocelyn, her face swollen like a boxer's after losing about, blood trickling steadily from the corner of her mouth.
Hayden didn't hold back on her younger sister at all!
Now, being tasked with handling Jocelyn put Teresa in a tough spot.
Jocelyn's intentions were low and dirty, true, but she did save Gabriel, and that was a fact.
If Jocelyn hadn't found Gabriel in time, lying there in the snow for hours, he could've been seriously harmed or even faced life-threatening danger.
Besides, Hayden is her close sister.
So, if the punishment were too harsh, it would definitely affect their relationship.
"Hayden, I know you've always doted on Jocelyn, but it's frightening that someone her age is so manipulative. I can't let her off the hook," Teresa said.
"Alright," Hayden said on the video feed, nodding. "It's up to you."
"I was wrong, I was wrong. Please don't hand me over to her, don't give me to Teresa, sis. I'm begging you..." Jocelyn pleaded, weeping and kneeling.
Hayden's eyes flickered with hesitation, and her heart softened, but she didn't look at Jocelyn or respond to her pleas. Instead, she looked directly into the camera and said to Teresa, "You tell me, Teresa. How do you want to deal with Jocelyn?"
Watching Jocelyn's defiant demeanor in the video, an idea struck Teresa. She shared a knowing smile with Gabriel and said, "Isn't Jocelyn attending the University of Zurich? Hayden here's what I'm thinking: for the next year, aside from her tuition, you won't give her a single penny. Don't arrange for anyone to take care of her living expenses either. Let her live in Zurich on her own."
—Teresa intended for Jocelyn to fend for herself abroad.
Hayden was taken aback and looked at Teresa almost incredulously, asking, "Is this how you want to punish Jocelyn?"
"Yes," Teresa nodded. "What do you think?"
"Sure, absolutely." Hayden agreed without hesitation.
That had been her thought as well.
Over the years, she had indeed spoiled Jocelyn, giving her whatever she wanted. This led to her sister's current untamable and reckless character, which did not take anything seriously.
Now, it was time for Jocelyn to face some hardships, learn independence, and experience the cruel world for herself.
"No, please, no..." Jocelyn cried out again.
Hayden glanced at Jocelyn and then turned to Teresa and Gabriel. "Teresa, don't worry. Your wish is my command. Let's leave it at that; enjoy the rest of your honeymoon. I gotta go."
After he ended the video call, Teresa turned to Gabriel. "Honey, do you think I was too soft on Jocelyn with her punishment?"
Gabriel shook his head with a smile. "For a spoiled brat like Jocelyn, who's used to throwing money around, cutting her off financially and forcing her to fend for herself abroad might be worse than jail time."
Teresa nodded. "After all, she is Jocelyn's sister and a true Christine to my niece and nephew. Hopefully, she'll change after a year."
Gabriel's lips curled into a smile. "So my sweetheart had a tough-love plan after all?"
Teresa gave him a mock glare. "I miss our little one. What do you say we go back home tomorrow?"
"Alright, we'll follow my sweetheart's wish. If you want to go back tomorrow, we'll go."
...
River North City.
Finally, Diana had made it to the fifth week of her pregnancy.
Five weeks later, she went to the hospital for amniocentesis and DNA testing.
Two days later, the results came in.
When Diana opened the report and saw the conclusion, her face fell ashen.
If the child wasn't Liam's, it could only be Liam Ming's.
Everything was just a big dream, and she had awakened only to find herself back at square one, with none of her desires fulfilled.
Douglas's child!
With a mocking and self-deprecating laugh, Diana left the hospital like a walking corpse.
On her way back to the apartment in the taxi, she leaned back in her seat, her mind racing with countless thoughts.
Then, she took out her phone and booked a flight to Jena, Germany, departing in three days...
