Genevieve had almost been killed by Aurora yesterday; she spent the night in the hospital before returning home. She initially thought her excruciating pain was due to dislocation, but fortunately, it was only from a fall. Covered in medicinal patches, Genevieve struggled to sleep throughout the night, and neither Ivy nor Zachary went to the company afterward.
After yesterday’s incident, they realized more than ever that Magnus would never accept them again; returning to the company would only lead to further exploitation.
“Mom, what path should we take from here?”
Ivy sighed as she sat by Genevieve’s bed. Now without the support of the Montgomery family and without jobs, Ivy saw her future as bleak.
“Don’t worry, I’ll figure something out. At least we still have a place to live. Let me rest and heal first,” Genevieve reassured, feeling utterly exhausted both physically and mentally. She just wanted a good rest.
“Okay, mom, get some sleep. I won’t disturb you anymore,” Ivy said as she covered her mother with a blanket and left the room.
She had just reached the living room when she heard a knock at the door. Without thinking, she opened it and asked, “Who is it?”
“You bastards, hiding out here!”
Kimberly stormed in with several bodyguards dressed in black. Unlike Tina, Kimberly cared little for propriety; she was mainly concerned about the shame she had suffered. Not only had her husband had an affair with Genevieve, but there were also illegitimate children involved! Now, with the Black family’s reputation in tatters, she was in the process of divorcing Paul.
“Aunt Kimberly, what… how did you come here?”
Ivy weakly called out, knowing full well the ferocity of this woman. Ironically, the more formidable the wife, the more likely their husbands stray, and Paul was a prime example.
“Should I let you bastards continue living in my apartment? Where is that slut Genevieve?”
Kimberly charged in.
Ivy, unable to confront this formidable woman, pleaded, “Aunt Kimberly, you come from a distinguished family. Please watch your language. You wouldn’t want to further tarnish the Black family’s reputation, a well-respected lineage after all.”
“Ha! Your whore of a mother has already disgraced us enough. This is between me and her. I’m letting you off today; now get out of my way!”
Kimberly shoved Ivy forcefully.
Women, when enraged, can summon strength surpassing that of an average man. Ivy staggered backward, finally stabilizing herself against a wall. Unaware of the commotion outside, Genevieve, clad in her pajamas and clutching her waist, slowly emerged from her room.
“Ivy, who is it?”
Kimberly, advancing ominously into the living room, was a sight that filled Genevieve with dread. She knew trouble was imminent, especially given her compromised state.
“Kimberly, this is a misunderstanding, let me explain…”
Genevieve frantically tried to formulate her words to deflect the blame.
“A misunderstanding?”
Kimberly slapped Genevieve across the face.
“You seduced my man, and had such a good time under him! And with your bastards all grown up, you dare speak to me of misunderstandings?”
Even if Genevieve weren’t injured, she might have managed to stand up to Kimberly. But now, disheveled and unwell from a cold, she looked frightfully pale and weak. Kimberly’s slap sent her sprawling to the floor, and Ivy hurried over to intervene, “Aunt Kimberly, stop, my mother is sick.”
“Sick? That’s right, how could you not be, after all the evil you’ve done? I’m not like Victoria, weak and meek. Had I known about you two sooner, I would have dealt with you harshly long ago!”
Kimberly, grabbing Genevieve by the collar, slapped her again.
“Did your mother raise you just so you could seduce men? I’ve hated mistresses all my life, and you just had to steal my man. Today, if I don’t teach you a lesson, you’ll never realize how wrong you are.”
Kimberly swung her fists at Genevieve’s face from both sides before Ivy could stop her, only to be dragged away by a bodyguard standing by. Genevieve’s actions had not only hurt Aurora’s family but also deeply wounded Kimberly, who, despite her domineering nature from childhood, had been fiercely loyal to Paul all these years. While it’s debatable what role she played in her marriage, her devotion to Paul was unwavering. Paul was detestable, and Genevieve was no saint either.
He had kept his affair hidden from his volatile-tempered wife for many years. The video of his indiscretions was circulating among the upper echelons of society, and she was the last to find out about his betrayal. How could she not be furious?
“Stay away from my mom!”
Zachary, hearing the commotion outside, came out only to find Kimberly beating Genevieve on the ground. Genevieve’s face was swollen from the blows, and blood began to seep from the corner of her mouth. Seeing Genevieve disheveled, bloodied, and bruised, Zachary’s eyes reddened with anger.
He had just learned that Genevieve had initially gone to Paul’s office to ask for help to pay off his debts, even though she was reluctant. For his sake, she had swallowed her pride. It was precisely that day’s events that were now being used against her, and ultimately, he felt he was responsible. He understood Genevieve’s motives and had wanted to turn over a new leaf and take better care of his sister and mother.
But upon witnessing the scene, he was so overwhelmed with anger that he grabbed a fruit knife and stabbed Kimberly. Genevieve turned pale with shock! Just recently, Zachary had been detained for seventy-two hours for attempted assault.
Blood seeped through Kimberly’s clothes as she fainted from the sight of her own blood. The bodyguards, putting aside all else, hurried to take her to the hospital, while others called the police. Genevieve, terrified, pleaded with the bodyguards on her knees, “Please don’t call the police, I beg you, I’ll give you anything you want.”
“Please, don’t call the police, I’m begging you, my brother didn’t mean to do it!”
Ivy also knelt down and begged. Both knew that regardless of how severe Kimberly’s injuries were, if Zachary were arrested, there would be no hope. Now, without money or power and with the Black family likely to influence the authorities, Zachary could be locked away for life.
“Get out of the way,” the bodyguard said, knowing all too well Kimberly’s vengeful nature. Once she awoke, she would surely seek retribution. They did not dare face her wrath and chose to call the police anyway, and Zachary was soon taken into custody.
Genevieve sat on the sofa, her face as pale and lifeless as if her soul had been drained, her complexion ashen like peeling wall plaster.
“Mom, are we done for? Zach won’t be coming out this time, will he?”
Ivy clung to Genevieve, their future looking bleak.
Genevieve, in a daze, could hardly believe she was experiencing such disgrace.
“No, there must be a way,” she murmured. Pushing Ivy away, she called Paul. The phone rang for a long time before he answered.
“Hello.”
Paul’s voice was low, as if afraid of being overheard.
“Zach has been arrested. You have to save him this time! He’s your son,” Genevieve pleaded tearfully.
“I’m at the hospital now, I’ve been informed of everything. Don’t worry, I’ll figure something out. The place you’re at is no longer safe. Leave that apartment immediately, or the Black family will never leave you alone!”
Paul warned.
“You’ve really caused a big mess this time!”