Chapter 487 Conflict between Shane and Gavin
At the Watson property, Shane stepped out of the taxi, cane in hand, and approached the front gate, ringing the doorbell.
A middle-aged man, resembling a butler, soon appeared, giving Shane a quick look. Noticing his age yet undiminished dignity and his immaculate attire, the man's face lit up with a welcoming smile. "Good day, sir. Can I help you?"
Shane’s face was stern as he answered authoritatively, "I'm here to see Gavin."
The butler hesitated, then examined him before asking, "And you are?"
Shane said, "You go tell him that I'm his father-in-law. Have him come out and see me."
The butler looked Shane up and down with a hint of astonishment. There had been no word of Mrs. Watson's father visiting. It had been years since anyone from her family had appeared. Why now, all of a sudden?
Despite his curiosity, the butler dutifully went inside to relay the message.
It was still early. Gavin had just finished breakfast at home and was preparing to head to the office. He hadn't expected to encounter the butler at the door, bringing news of his father-in-law's arrival. Recalling Patricia's call the night before, he furrowed his brow and said impatiently, "Send him away. I don't have a father-in-law to speak of. I won't see him."
Scratching his head, the butler muttered, "He did look well-dressed and not at all like a con artist."
Gavin glared at him. "I told you to send him away. What's with all the questions?"
The butler dared not object further. Just as he turned to leave, Gavin called out again.
"From now on, don't come to me every time someone shows up looking for me. I don't have time for that. If they don't have an appointment, send them away."
It was the first time the butler had faced such a reprimand from Gavin. His face flushed with embarrassment, and as he returned to the door, his tone became rude as he impatiently waved Shane off.
"Get out! The boss says he doesn't know you!"
Although Shane had anticipated this outcome, the stark change in the butler's demeanor confirmed his fears. His daughter, Elise, and granddaughter, Patricia, held no status in this household, and neither did he as the father-in-law.
How little regard must Gavin have for his daughter that even the butler dared treat him this way? These thoughts filled Shane's heart with sorrow.
Just then, Gavin's car rolled out of the garage, and the gate slowly swung open. Seizing the opportunity, Shane stepped forward with his cane and planted himself in front of Gavin’s car.
Gavin, breaking out in a cold sweat, slammed on the brakes and stared at Shane, blocking his path, his face a mask of shock and fury.
"Have you lost your mind? If you want to die, do it far from here. Don't mess up my car. It's brand new; can you even afford the damages if you get it dirty?"
Shane glanced at the so-called new car. Indeed, it was the latest model, but it was only worth a few hundred thousand dollars at most. A few million might've made him hesitate, but some hundreds of thousands?
Shane let out a silent snort of contempt, rapping his cane on the hood of the car. "Get out."
Gavin couldn't believe the audacity of someone tapping his prized ride and, infuriated, he flung the car door open and stumbled out, cursing under his breath.
"You old fool, can't you understand English? Get out of here before you damage my car. Even if you give up your pathetic life, it wouldn't cover the repairs."
It was the first time Shane had laid eyes on Gavin. He couldn't help but size him up: tall and imposing, age hadn't softened his features much; the handsome young man he once was still peeked through. Undeniably good-looking.
Based solely on looks, he was a suitable match for Shane's daughter. Otherwise, Elise wouldn't have eloped with him, consequences be damned. However, in terms of character, he was worlds apart from Elise.
Shane even questioned his daughter's judgment—why she would pass on the well-rounded fiancé he had handpicked for her, in favor of a man who had nothing but his looks.
This unpleasant encounter was enough for Shane to look down on Gavin. Contempt brewed deep within him. Thank goodness Patricia wasn't like him, or he would have another Grace on his hands. No wonder Grace turned out so rotten; it was in her genes.
Feeling uncomfortable under Shane's scrutinizing gaze, Gavin snapped, "What are you staring at, old man?"
Disrespectful toward his wife, indifferent to his daughter, and dismissive of his elders.
Recalling all this, Shane's anger boiled over, and he slapped Gavin hard across the face. A sharp "smack" echoed.
Gavin was stunned, the butler stood agape, and even the bystanders couldn't help but stare.
Unconcerned with the onlookers, Shane pointed at Gavin's nose and lashed out, "You disgraceful piece of work. My daughter left everything behind for you—her parents, her home—to come here. And this is how you treat her? She must've been blind to have fallen for a scumbag like you."
Feeling the weight of everyone's stares, Gavin's face burned with shame. Holding back his rage, he hissed, "Get inside, now!"
With that, he turned and led Shane into the house.
Upon entering, Shane immediately took in its layout. Though it wasn't as lavish as Silver Birch Sanctuary, it was decent, with a handful of staff to tend to the place; it was tolerable.
Shane didn't bother with pleasantries.
Gavin didn't ask the butler for coffee or invite Shane to have a seat. Tossing his briefcase onto the couch, he snapped, "What the hell do you want from me? Your daughter has been dead for years. You never cared for her before, and now suddenly, you're interested. Isn't it a bit late?"
Shane bristled with rage at his disregard for his daughter's death, raised his walking stick, and swung it at him. "You bastard! You tempted my daughter to run away from home for your sake, to turn her back on her own father. And now, you scorn her—you..."
Gavin, who had just narrowly dodged a blow, reacted swiftly, grabbing the swinging stick. "What are you raving about, old man?"
Shane's face twitched with fury. "You won't admit it? You spineless coward."
Gavin, thoroughly perplexed, retorted, "Don't go slinging mud at me willy-nilly! She was relentless in her pursuit to marry me, seemingly bewitched me, insisting that she become my wife."
Shane trembled with anger, his lips turning blue. Thinking about how his daughter had given up everything with the Koch family for a man like this caused his eyes to fill with tears.
Impatient, Gavin said, "Alright already. I've got to get to the office! Are you done? If so, get out."
Shane's head throbbed with anger. After wresting the walking stick from Gavin's grasp, he slapped him across the face again.
Gavin didn't dodge this time and took the slap squarely. Both cheeks were now struck, one on the left, one on the right. The pain ignited a fire in Gavin's eyes, and with no courtesy, he pushed Shane to the ground.
"You stubborn old fool. You're asking for it," Gavin said, his anger boiling over as he raised the walking stick, ready to strike Shane.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
