Chapter 229 Let Them Get Married
Her frail frame stood defiantly in front of Katniss, launching into a heated argument.
Katniss quickly realized that Matilda's words cut deep, like a knife hitting all the sore spots.
Just a few words made Travis's face go pale and green. "What a bunch of uncultured folks!"
"Sure, we might come from humble beginnings and lack your fancy manners, but does ganging up on us make you any better? If you've got a problem, take it up with Tristan yourself. Stop making our lives hell!" Matilda grabbed Katniss's wrist. "Katniss, let's get out of here!"
She'd vented her anger, not even noticing she'd just insulted the host.
Two burly bodyguards blocked their path, with more emerging from the villa.
Given the situation, it seemed they wouldn't be leaving today.
"You Forbes family sure has bad luck with people. I'll teach this woman a lesson!" Olivia was fuming, especially after the "no son" jab, and she looked ready to tear Katniss apart.
She signaled to the bodyguards. "These two trespassed and insulted me. Beat them up and throw them out!"
As soon as she said that, Matilda's face went pale. She looked at Katniss standing in front of her and felt a pang of regret. "These people are scum! Katniss, I'll hold them off. You run!"
Katniss frowned deeply, glancing at the smug faces of Travis and Ivy. She muttered, "You're making things hard for me behind Tristan's back because you're too scared to face him. But if he finds out, you won't be able to handle the fallout!"
Travis's face turned red, and he gritted his teeth, unable to respond.
Ivy patted Travis's chest and said softly, "How are we making things hard for you? You upset Mrs. Miller, and anyone can see it's not our fault."
"What are you waiting for? Beat them up and throw them out!" Olivia was itching to get started.
A fierce slap came their way, and Katniss instinctively ducked with Matilda to avoid it.
But the bodyguard didn't hold back, kicking Matilda's leg hard, making her wince in pain.
"Stop!" A sharp voice rang out from a distance.
Everyone turned to look, and a swarm of bodyguards rushed over behind Tristan. Tristan's tall figure stood out among them.
His face was icy, and his gaze locked onto Katniss. Seeing her and Matilda in such a mess, his jaw clenched.
Tristan's bodyguards quickly subdued those who wanted to harm Katniss.
Before Katniss could even process what was happening, Tristan was already in front of her, his strong hand gripping her arm as he looked her over from head to toe.
Ryan quickly helped Matilda up, checking her for any injuries.
"Call the cops. These people are guilty of attempted murder, and the evidence is clear." Tristan's words were like a noose tightening around the Millers' necks.
For a noble family to resort to such bullying, it would be a scandal if it ever got out.
Even if the Millers managed to dodge responsibility this time, their reputation would be in tatters.
Olivia glared, not taking it seriously, and was about to say something.
Mark quickly stopped her and then looked at Tristan, saying, "Mr. Tristan Forbes, let's not burn all our bridges. Besides, Mr. Travis Forbes is here today. Do you want the police to arrest your father too?"
"Anyone who lays a hand on her will pay the price."
Tristan completely ignored Travis, his eyes scanning the room, catching the shocked expressions on everyone's faces.
Then he pulled Katniss a little further away, looking her over. "Are you hurt anywhere?"
His thumb gently pressed against her cheek, checking for any hidden marks or bruises.
Katniss grabbed his hand, shook her head, and said, "I'm fine. You got here just in time. But why are you here?"
"Mrs. Miller is Lila's aunt. I was worried and came over." Tristan's eyes were deep, filled with concern that Olivia would trouble Katniss.
But he didn't expect Travis and Ivy to be there too.
His eyes, filled with disgust and hatred, radiated a cold, chilling aura.
Katniss's soft hand held his chiseled one tightly, her eyes filled with concern.
Ignoring the father-son relationship in public showed just how angry Tristan was with Travis.
With the police involved, it would cause a huge uproar, and people would laugh at the Forbes family.
As she hesitated, the sound of sirens grew closer. Several police cars stopped outside the Miller family's house, and the servants were already under Tristan's control.
Ryan went to the door to bring the police in and gave an embellished account of the situation.
Even though the Miller family was powerful, with Tristan involved, the police showed no leniency and took the Miller couple and Travis couple to the station.
Though cleared of any wrongdoing, Lila went with Olivia to the police station.
Matilda's leg was limping from the bodyguard's kick, and the police had her taken to the hospital for an injury assessment, solidifying the severity of the assault.
The news spread like wildfire, and soon enough, a swarm of reporters gathered at the police station, buzzing with speculation as they saw Tristan and Travis on opposite sides.
The Forbes family drama, with father and son clashing over Katniss, became the hot topic, sparking a flurry of detailed and exaggerated reports, only adding fuel to the fire.
In just two hours, the situation had already impacted Synergy Global Corporation's stock.
Two hours later, Katniss and Tristan were just leaving the police station.
Travis followed, angrily blocking Tristan's path. "You bastard! Are you happy now? The company's stock is tanking!"
Not far away, flashbulbs kept going off as reporters snapped photos.
As the city lights flickered on, their colorful dance across Tristan's features failed to mask the icy coldness of his expression.
His deep eyes glanced at Travis. "If you ever lay a hand on her again, I'll destroy Synergy Global Corporation!"
"You wouldn't dare." Travis's face turned red.
"Mr. Travis Forbes, Mr. Tristan Forbes," Royce stepped out of the car, saying, "Mrs. Forbes requests that you all come home. She has been waiting for a long time."
Ivy linked her arm with Travis's and said softly, "Travis, don't make a scene in front of others. Mom wants us all to go back; she must have something to say. Let's go."
She pulled Travis into the car and left.
Royce looked at Tristan and Katniss standing there and said, "Miss Grey, you should come too. This is Mrs. Forbes's request."
With the situation escalating, Adelaide couldn't sit idly by.
Katniss intertwined her fingers with Tristan's, standing by his side and looking at his tense profile. "Let's go back. We shouldn't keep Grandma waiting."
"Alright." Tristan softened his expression, led her to the car, opened the door for her, and then drove away.
At the Forbes Mansion, the large villa was brightly lit, and the servants were bustling about.
When Katniss and Tristan arrived, Travis and Ivy were already there. The atmosphere in the living room was not as tense as expected.
Instead, Adelaide was smiling and chatting.
Seeing Katniss and Tristan, Adelaide stood up and said, "Everyone's here. Let's go have a family dinner."
Katniss turned her head and saw the dining table filled with a feast.
Lost in thought, Katniss didn't notice Adelaide had already strolled over until her wrist was gently caught. Adelaide led her towards the dining room, saying, "Katniss, you can't be like Tristan and neglect me. You have to visit me more often, alright?"
Katniss nodded. "I will, Mrs. Forbes."
Adelaide smiled in satisfaction and motioned for Tristan and Katniss to sit down.
Facing Travis and Ivy, their expressions were not pleasant, except for Adelaide, who acted as if nothing had happened.
"During Eudora's last visit, there were things I couldn't say openly. But now that we're all family here, I want to make a big announcement." Adelaide leaned on her cane, which she rarely used, indicating something important.
Katniss had heard from Tristan that his grandfather left the cane.
"Tristan is not young anymore; it's time for him to get married. Since you, as his father, have said you won't interfere, then don't. I'll take charge of their matters. Tomorrow, I'll find someone to pick an auspicious date for their wedding." As soon as Adelaide said this, Travis immediately objected, "I don't agree."
Ivy added, "Mom, we've been humiliated today. You just want them to get married? What about Travis and me? Where's our dignity in all this?"
The previously good atmosphere turned heavy.
Tristan leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on Travis. "It's shameful that two people over a hundred years old are bullying a woman like that. You should be ashamed of yourselves."
Travis sneered, "Don't underestimate me. The Forbes family is under my control now. If I don't agree, she won't be included in the Forbes family tree. She'll always be an outsider."
"Stop threatening me. I don't care about that." Tristan remained unaffected.
But Adelaide cared deeply about preserving family traditions, perhaps due to a belief in the sanctity of lineage.
She disapprovingly glanced at Tristan and then turned to scold Travis. "You bastard. Let me just finish my thought."
Hearing this, Travis turned his head away, his chest still heaving with defiance.
"I've always been the one to look after Tristan. His mother left, and he's never been close to Ivy. I know what's best for him, and that includes who he marries. If you disagree, then deal with me first!" Her firm stance left Travis with no room to argue.
After a moment, Travis stood up abruptly, leaving with a parting shot, "I still don't agree! If she marries in, I'm out!"
With that, he stormed off.
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