Chapter76Surround the Sackler Residence!
Margaret's heartache was not easily seen by outsiders. She had lived a life of wisdom and success. Her husband and son had passed away early, leaving her to single-handedly support the entire Sackler family and bring the Sackler corporation to its current state.
It was no easy feat, but she had accomplished it. She not only prevented the company from collapsing but also kept it strong.
All these years, she had been the pillar. But sadly, there was no one left to follow her legacy.
Xena's natural aptitude was average, and she was doted upon and spoiled as she grew up, so she didn't quite turn out the way she had envisioned.
Despite the gap between who Xena was and what Margaret had hoped for, she had to admit the girl's strengths were undeniable; after all, Xena was her granddaughter and the sole heir to the Sackler family legacy.
Whenever Xena left loose ends, Margaret was there to clean them up. Whenever Xena overlooked details, Margaret was there to fill in the gaps. But now, as Paige stood before her uttering these words, Margaret genuinely felt hurt.
Rubbing her temple, Margaret groaned, "I have a headache, Xena. Hurry up and call someone to take us home."
Margaret longed to leave; she couldn't stand another moment in Paige's presence. Xena shot Paige a scathing look. Paige was always stirring up trouble and belittling her.
Xena made the call, and Paige turned away, no longer interested in the situation here.
After walking a few steps, Paige instructed Pearl, “Let whoever asks just take a quick look and come out.
“The Sacklers have their own doctors; they'll manage without our help. Don't go out of your way for nothing; if there's any trouble later, they'll blame our doctors anyway.”
Pearl nodded, "Yes, Xanthe. I'll see to it right away as you've instructed."
Paige had been at the Southern Villa for a day and hadn't yet visited her room. It was on the third floor.
The spacious walk-in closet had been filled with the latest high fashion collection, luxury bags, and exquisite jewelry by Pearl, all prepared before Paige's arrival.
Besides the grand walk-in closet, there was a large bedroom. As Paige entered, the motion-sensor artificial intelligence system automatically drew the curtains back. Natural light flooded in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, which offered an unparalleled view.
There was also an expansive study. Compared to the closet and the bedroom, the study felt quite empty, furnished with just a few antiques since no one had lived there before, and Paige had only just arrived.
Pearl followed close behind Paige and asked, "Xanthe, do you need anything else for the study?"
Paige glanced around, "No, it's fine as it is. Aside from overtime work, I doubt I'll use the study much."
Her relocation was prompted only by the decision to move her mother closer to her.
Pearl nodded, "Xanthe, you look exhausted today. Maybe you shouldn't work late."
Paige glanced at Pearl, clearly getting the hint that overtime was on the table. She said, "I actually wasn't planning on doing any overtime today."
Pearl couldn't very well offer advice, having witnessed everything that had gone on today. It was tricky, especially since part of her job was to oversee Paige's work.
Folks from the Sackler family quickly arrived to pick up Margaret and Xena.
Paige, of course, wanted to make sure they left under her watchful eye.
Margaret had taken quite a fall; she had to be lifted into the car.
Xena, as she passed by Paige on her way to the car, couldn't resist throwing an insult, "You’re nothing but an illegitimate child from the Sackler family's embarrassment; don't think you are somebody. No matter what, I am the legitimate heir. Whatever you try to stir up with Grandma, she will never replace her heir with you."
Paige couldn't help but laugh, "All your talk doesn't change the fact that you're indeed worthless, Xena!"
The word "worthless" seemed to cut deep. Surrounded by her people, Xena raised her hand, intending to slap Paige.
Paige hadn't realized that Xena, with her Grandma's support, had grown to be so audacious.
Daring to slap her?
With a cold look in her eye, Paige even took a step forward, curious to see just how bold Xena truly was.
Her gaze, sharp and commanding, fell on Xena’s face. Xena, her hand in the air, was frozen, unable to complete the slap.
Her hand awkwardly suspended mid-air. She couldn’t decide whether to go forward and slap Paige or to step back, which would be humiliating.
Paige watched as Xena faltered, neither advancing nor retreating, and muttered, "Worthless!"
With that, Paige turned and walked away.
Indeed, Xena was worthless. The hand had been extended, but in the end, she dared not do anything. She didn't even have the courage to back out of it. It was truly embarrassing.
Paige departed, leaving Xena standing there, utterly stunned, her breath stuck in her throat.
It wasn't until Margaret called out, "Xena, we need to go," that Xena seemed to snap back to reality and slipped into the car.
Paige, having turned to walk away, wasn't even thinking about the minor inconvenience of the Sackler family.
The theft of her mother’s antidote left a gap that was not easy to fill.
If only the experiment hadn't failed right before Paige's eyes. It was a tricky situation, and she knew it.
"Julian."
At the sound of her voice, Julian promptly appeared before her.
Julian’s usual rascal demeanor was on full display as he addressed Paige, "Miss Hughes, how may I be of service?"
"Margaret wanted to go home, so I let her," Paige revealed.
Julian caught on quickly. "But you are not willing to let them off the hook, are you, Miss Hughes?"
Paige gave a slight nod, "Take some men and surround the Sackler family estate.”
At Paige's command, Julian grinned as he nodded, "Absolutely, I’ll see to it immediately."
It was Margaret who had hired the people who concocted the potent drugs and antidotes. Now that the antidote was gone, Paige surmised those hired hands were still out there, lurking.
Best to work on two fronts; tracking the stolen antidote and the manufacturers of the vile concoctions.
Margaret had hastily agreed when Paige allowed her family to return home, not anticipating what was to follow. They had arrived home only to find their estate quickly surrounded.
And there was Julian, brazenly loitering at the Sackler family’s gate. His men even set up a large sun umbrella by the entrance, casually drinking wine at a table under its shade, the aroma spreading throughout the estate.
Xena stomped her foot in anger, "Grandma, has Paige gone mad? Does she really believe she can push us Sacklers around?"
Margaret's headache was real. Pressing her hand to her forehead, she said, "Let her make a fuss for now. How else is the Carnegie family going to see what she's really made of?"
Hearing this, a glimmer of understanding dawned in Xena’s eyes.
“Grandma, you mean…”
Margaret gave a slight nod of confirmation.
Their gazes met, a silent understanding passing between them. Xena's lips curved into a smile,
"Grandma, I had the doctor dress your wound properly. And now, I'm going to reach out to the Carnegies—Grandpa, Raymond, Francesca, and Louis are all going to visit you!"
