Chapter 607 Betray Her When the Disaster Strikes
In the past few days, as Fiona delved deeper into Ethan's family history, her indignation only grew. There was no way kin could be so malicious.
"Yes, yes, yes, I'm no saint. I was wrong, truly wrong! Ms. Chelsea, as a mother yourself, my in-laws are old and confused, incapable of caring for the children. Please, grant me another chance. I'll change!" Mary pleaded, on the verge of prostrating before Fiona.
Mike intervened swiftly, gripping her collar to prevent the bow. "How dare you? Kneeling to our Madam, do you wish ill upon her?" Mike's tone was sharp, eyes ablaze.
"No, no!" the woman quickly denied.
Fiona rose, approaching Mary, her gaze stern. "I hadn't wished to be so severe, but Ethan is the savior of our family. I must consider his welfare."
Mary quivered under Fiona's gaze. "I vow never to trouble Ethan again!" she sobbed, "I'll take the child back to our hometown immediately upon leaving. You won't see me in Bay City again!"
"You've said it yourself." Fiona leaned in, her voice stern. "I'll be watching. Should you dare seek out Ethan or set foot in Bay City or any nearby city, evading consequences won't be as simple as jail."
Mary shuddered suddenly. "I understand! I understand!" she nodded fervently.
Regret now consumed her for listening to her daughter's foolish advice and confronting Fiona at the school gate.
Had she not succumbed to her daughter's instigation, they'd still be comfortably settled in their downtown abode, with savings aplenty.
"How much did you extort from Ethan's mother?" Fiona asked again. Mary was stunned.
She hadn't expected this affluent woman to bother with such trivial matters.
"N-Not much..."
"Are you grasping the gravity of this situation? Would I inquire without insight?" Fiona's tone grew harsh suddenly.
"Twenty-eight...thousand..."
Scorn flashed in Fiona's eyes. "Factor in what you've squandered from Ethan's parents' death benefits, round it to an even figure, and you now owe Ethan five hundred and twenty thousand dollars."
"Oh my God, where would I find such a sum? The money's gone!" Mary exclaimed in astonishment.
"When you coerced Ethan into repayment, did you ponder where a child would acquire such wealth?" Fiona's tone was cold, lips curled in disdain.
Mary was on the verge of tears. Fiona regarded her icily. The woman might not conjure five hundred and twenty thousand dollars, but she still had a hundred or two.
Fiona knew pushing too hard could backfire. Her aim was to ensure they'd never dare approach Ethan again. "As per your custom, draft an IOU." Fiona gestured to Xavier, who promptly produced a notebook and pen, extending them menacingly to Mary.
Mary's hand trembled violently. She loathed the idea of signing an IOU. It meant the brat could demand money at any time.
She glanced at Fiona. She had no recourse now.
Trembling, she penned the IOU.
Xavier had an ink pad handy, imprinting Mary’s handprint on the document.
Fiona glanced over it briefly.
Her gaze then settled on Ethan’s uncle, sprawled like a discarded rag on the ground.
"You're free to leave, but your husband's a murderer; he stays," Fiona stated coldly.
The man quivered violently. He scrambled up, dropping to his knees, mimicking his wife's actions. "Madam, please spare me. My sister cherished me dearly; were she alive, she'd never allow this treatment! And I must provide for my wife and children. Locked away, how will they survive?"
"Despicable!" Mary spat at him suddenly. Ever since his arrest and the drama of betraying her during the crisis, she saw through him.
"With my resources, I can support my son and daughter, I don't need you!"
Without this leech, life would be considerably easier.
Moreover, who would want to cohabit with a murderer? Who knew when he might strike and end her life in the dead of night? The mere thought sent shivers down her spine.
"Honey! Honey, please! Take me with you; this place is hellish. They beat me incessantly, starve me!"
"Ms. Chelsea, I've adhered to your terms, penned the IOU. Can I leave now? My sons haven't seen me in days. They must be frightened, easily spooked..." Mary choked up.
"Contemplate the repulsive man beside you." Fiona's tone was glacial. "Should you wish your son to avoid such a fate, be a decent human being. Else, they'll emulate your conduct!"
Mary heeded Fiona's words, realizing both her sons had begun to rebel against authority. A chill ran down her spine.
"I'll educate them well! I promise!" Fiona signaled Mike with a glance.
Mike immediately instructed his subordinates to haul Mary, who was too weak to stand, away.
"Ms. Chelsea, I have money to reimburse Ethan... I can repay him. Spare me; we hold no grudges. Spare me!" Tom implored.
"You complained of incessant beatings and starvation here, right? Must be agonizing," Fiona said coldly.
"It's unbearable!" the man wailed, hastily rolling up his sleeve to reveal his injuries. "Look, they did this!"
Fiona regarded him coldly.
"You're in your thirties and couldn't endure a few days of such treatment. How long did Ethan endure your abuse? Even a child's ribs were broken, left unfed. Were it not for the neighbors' aid, he'd have perished!"
The man paled further, "I was wrong, guilty. I can apologize to him, kneeling. Spare me!"
"An eye for an eye, a basic principle," Fiona retorted coldly. "Those wronged by you await in hell. Spare me your pleas."
At the mention of "hell", the man's expression crumbled, trembling in fear. Fiona found him repulsive and couldn't bear to look at him another moment. Ignoring his incessant pleas, she turned and left.
Later that day, Mary, unable to locate her daughter and fearing for their lives, fled with her two sons back to their hometown.
Once she confirmed their departure, Fiona sought out Ethan.
Ethan was surprised by Fiona's appearance, though he reasoned with her capabilities, it was no feat for her to locate him.
He approached her calmly, "Aunt."
Winter had arrived early that year, the evening wind chilling. Yet, Fiona's smile warmed hearts.
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