Chapter 24
Jacqueline spoke very sternly, “Whitney is my daughter–in–law, Julius wife and she will also become the matriarch of this family in the future. I don’t care what opinions you have of her, but she is my daughter in law, so I will not let anybody bully her she patted Whitney’s hand gently to show her support
The implications of Jacqueline’s words were clear. She was goingo remain on Whitey’s side no trutter what.
If anybody wanted to make life difficult for Whitney, they’d have to consider if they could handle folius and Jacqueline too before doing anything.
The consequences were too serious for most people to hear.
Everyone in the room exchanged glances and was filled with mixed emotions. Nobody knew what to say to that.
None of them could believe that a commoner like Whitney could make Jacqueline defend her so unconditionally.
Despite being doted on for years, even the well–loved Cynthia couldn’t match up to Whitney, someone who had only met her mother–in–law a few hours ago.
A classy–looking lady wearing a large fur coat sashayed in at this point and walked towards Jacqueline as she said in a neutral voice, Jacqueline, you haven’t even gotten to the bottom of things and you’ve already chosen to believe Whitney? My Lara is a good girl. There’s no way she would have said something like that.”
Jacqueline turned to look at her expressionlessly. Her gaze was steely as if nothing in the world could stump or fool her “Charlotte, you know best whether Lara is capable of saying such things. Her two older brothers are proof that she’s definitely capable of these words!
The lady who had just walked in was Charlotte Esnault, the wife of Bernard’s eldest brother. Besides Lara, she had two other sons who never bothered finding work. They would either laze around all day or go out to drink and womanize.
If they didn’t receive generous bonuses from Latreille Group every year, their family would have gone bankrupt by now.
The Latreilles did place importance on making sure every member worked to earn their keep, but Julius had given up on these two cousins of his. He had better things to do.
Besides, the family could still afford to feed a few wastrels.
Charlotte looked at Jacqueline’s somewhat contemptuous expression, then looked at Whitney, the cause of all this trouble. She stopped pretending to be polite and revealed her true colors as she said, “Jacqueline, how could you say that? How could you say such a thing about your own nephews for the sake of defending someone from outside the family? That’s not appropriate!”
Jacqueline opened her mouth to speak but Julius beat her to it. His tone was prickly as he said, “Aunt Charlotte, I think it is more inappropriate for you to call my wife someone from outside the family
Julius terrifying presence made Charlotte remember that her family relied on Julius to get by, so she instantly softened her tone, “Julius, you’ve misunderstood me. I’m saying that your mother shouldn’t have said something like that about your cousins, that’s all. My choice of words was poor, I’m forry about that.”
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But Julius did not go easy on her just because she had relented. Instead, his voice grew even more hostile and every word he said felt like a dagger stabbing into their hearts, “Was there anything wrong with what my mother said? Don’t those two cousins of mine think they can go around making trouble all day and get away with it because they come from an influential family? If you have the time to speak ill of my wife and my mother, I’m sure you have the time to think about how you’re going to make sure YOUR family gets its act together.”
He purposely emphasized on the words ‘your family to draw the line clearly between his own family and hers. They weren’t one family, so how could his wife be from outside the family?
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Chapter 21
Meanwhile, Cynthia was filled with regret.
She didn’t expect Jacqueline to defend Whitney to this extent, and she never thought Julius would actually bother talking to someone he normally couldn’t be bothered with for Whitney’s sake. And that was only because Charlotte said Whitney wasn’t a part of the family.
Not a single person asked her about how she felt and nobody asked if she was upset.
Before Whitney came along, she had been the one who received such unconditional protection and love. Her hate for Whitney was about to burst out from within her body now.
In order to conclude the matter, Jacqueline said, “I hope that everyone can talk to your own family about what sort of attitude they should have towards Whitney. This is not a small matter. I will not allow my daughter–in–law to suffer such grievances for nothing.”
Everyone couldn’t believe what they just heard. This was no small matter? Seriously?
Wasn’t this just a petty argument between a few girls? Why did Jacqueline make it sound like they had leaked company secrets or something serious like that?
Every person had their own opinion on this matter, but everyone just nodded in agreement with Jacqueline anyway. After the rest had left, Jacqueline held Whitney’s hand and said. Whitney, it might take a while for you to get used to things around here. But if anyone iries to bully you, come and tell me immediately. I’ll teach them a lesson.”
Whitney smiled and nodded.
Jacqueline then turned to Cynthil, who was still standing next to her and said, “Cynthia, you were in the wrong today. It’s true that Whitney did not grow upin as much luxury as you did, but that’s not something she had control over. From now on, we’re one family, so you must learn to get along with her. I don’t want something like this to happen ever again, you hear
me
Cynthia immediately put on a repentant expression and nodded with tears in her eyes.
Jacqueline wanted to say more, but she felt bad when she saw how Cynthia looked like she was about to cry. Jacqueline had brought this girl up after all, so she was still rather attached to her.
Once Julius saw that his mother was done talking to Whitney, he excused himself and Whitney and walked out of the room. He observed Whitney’s expression as they walked out and wondered if Whitney was angry.
He was the one who wanted her to come over for lunch but she ended up getting humiliated instead. She probably hated him even more than before.
Their relationship had already started on the wrong foot and now, she wasn’t even getting the respect she deserved.
He shut his eyes in despair and started to think about what he ought to do if Whitney started railing and cursing at him. So he purposely walked to a fairly secluded garden in the estate where few walked by
“I’m sorry,” said Julius softly. He didn’t even dare to look her in the eye.
Whitney stared at him in surprise and asked, “Why are you apologizing to me?”
I was the one who wanted you to come over, but I failed to protect you.” His expression was so apologetic.
She realized that Julius was still very insecure after all.
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Chapter 21
Her heart ached so badly for him and the stuffiness she felt inside made her feel terrible.
She thought she had been doing a good job so far, only to find that she was far from her goals.
While she thought about these things, Julius looked up cautiously at Whitney, but she didn’t respond to him.
He opened his mouth to speak again but she cut him off, “Julius This wasn’t your fault at all. Fm not affected by what
happened just now. Everyone has to face criticisms and nasty comments from time to time. Besides, I am very happy to come here with you, because you were willing to let me meet your parents.”
Julius blinked at her with a surprised yet confused look in his eyes,
