Julian touched on the very thing Genevieve feared most, something she thought had been perfectly resolved. Zachary had repaid the money for both of them; surely, there should be no further issues. Yet, to her shock, the last person she expected to bring it up was Julian!
Upon hearing about gambling, Grandpa Montgomery’s face turned ashen. “When did this happen?”
“Grandpa, you didn’t know? I heard it from a friend at the casino. Mr. Montgomery lost tens of millions a few days ago and even borrowed from loan sharks. I just wanted to remind you, it’s best to steer clear of those who lend money at the casinos; it can bring big trouble.”
Julian’s feigned concern made Genevieve grind her teeth in anger; it was clear he was deliberately stirring up trouble. And yet, he still managed to appear utterly righteous! What was this, an Oscar team performance?
Hearing of his gambling, Magnus also grew angry. “Zachary, is this true?”
“Of… of course not,” Genevieve interjected before Zachary could speak, preventing any rash comments. She didn’t know how Julian came to know of this. But she couldn’t let him make baseless accusations; he needed to provide proof, and who had seen Zachary gambling?
“Really? My friend even showed me the promissory note you signed; look.” Julian opened his phone to show a photo.
“Let me see that.” Grandpa Montgomery recognized Zachary’s scrawled handwriting immediately. “Take a good look, is this your writing!” he demanded, thrusting the phone at Zachary.
Seeing the written evidence, Zachary couldn’t fathom how his note had ended up on Julian’s phone. Magnus, too, recognized the handwriting; who else could write so poorly but Zachary?
“Grandpa, I was wrong. It… it was a scam, I didn’t want this,” Zachary stammered, realizing he had hit a raw nerve with Grandpa Montgomery. Other matters might have been manageable, but this was absolutely non-negotiable.
“So, all of this is true? Zachary, I may overlook other things, but gambling, that’s unforgivable. Bring me my whip!” Grandpa Montgomery had always loathed gambling, especially among family members, and Zachary had really outdone himself this time.
“Dad, please no, he’s still young, it wasn’t intentional, it must have been a trap,” Genevieve pleaded urgently.
“Out of my way! Don’t think I don’t know how you spoil him daily. Look at my friend’s children, each more outstanding than the last. Then look at your son; what does he do besides eat, drink, and be merry? He’s a waste, a pollutant!” Grandpa Montgomery was beyond furious, sparing no harsh words.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Zachary knelt down, grabbing at Magnus’s trousers, “Dad, I truly didn’t mean for this to happen. Please, help me, say something.”
Magnus, who had witnessed his own grandfather lose everything to gambling, including the violent aftermath that left his grandmother battered, had always detested gambling. Now, Zachary, with his reckless gamble of fifty million in one night, had clearly crossed a line.
He kicked Zachary away with one foot. “I’ve never blamed you for anything you’ve done since you were little. I always thought you were just a bit playful and you’d grow up someday, as long as you didn’t make any major mistakes. But I never expected you to engage in high-stakes gambling! I can forgive anything, but never this!”
“Mom, Mom, please save me…” Zachary was truly afraid that Grandpa Montgomery would beat him to death. Grandpa Montgomery, stubborn as a bull, was not someone to cross.
The butler, usually slow in his movements, walked briskly this time to fetch the whip. It seemed he feared Grandpa Montgomery might change his mind. Soon, he returned with the whip, and Grandpa Montgomery started lashing it towards Zachary.
“You disgraceful fool! I’ve always despised gamblers the most in my life, and here you are, losing so much money in one night. I’ll beat you to death!”
“Grandpa, I realize my mistake, please don’t-ow-it hurts-ah!” Originally kneeling, Zachary howled in pain from the beating. When he couldn’t bear it any longer, he tried to run away. “You little rascal, where do you think you’re running? I’m going to beat you to death.”
Aurora, who had been silent until now, stood up and blocked Grandpa Montgomery. “Grandpa, please stop, you really need to take care of your health.”
Hearing her plea, Genevieve sent her a grateful look. Grandpa Montgomery adored Aurora, and her words might actually make a difference. “Aurora, a person won’t become decent without punishment. Even if you stop me today, I won’t hold back. Go lock the door.”
Grandpa Montgomery was serious this time, intending to give Zachary a severe beating behind closed doors. Genevieve quickly signaled Aurora to keep talking, knowing that her own words would only infuriate him further.
Aurora signaled back with an OK gesture, her lips slightly parting. “Grandpa, please sit down and rest for a while. Do you remember how old you are? Are you twenty-five that you still act so stubborn?”
Her gentle approach seemed to soften Grandpa Montgomery a bit. Genevieve saw a glimmer of hope-if Aurora could keep talking, perhaps their grandfather would calm down. Yet Grandpa Montgomery, still gritting his teeth, said, “Step aside, don’t stop me.”
“Grandpa, I’m not trying to stop you, I’m just worried about your health. How can you, at your age, outrun a young man? What if you get out of breath, or worse, fall down? So please, just sit.”
“You say you’re not stopping me, yet you ask me to sit down. What exactly do you mean?” Grandpa Montgomery looked puzzled.
Aurora pulled the whip from his hands. “Of course, wrongdoings must be punished, and he’s not made a small mistake. If we don’t teach him a lesson today, he might dare to lose fifty million today, and a hundred million, or even two hundred million tomorrow. Our entire family’s fortune wouldn’t cover the debt then. My suggestion is simple: he needs to be punished, but let the younger ones handle it. Julian is fast and accurate, and will surely not miss. This way, he gets disciplined, and you won’t overexert yourself. Isn’t that a good plan?”
Aurora’s innocently smiling face made Genevieve think she had gone mad to plead for Zachary, but she was actually waiting for this moment. Now, she just wanted to tear Aurora’s face apart.