Chapter 8

Sarah Kent, or Mrs. Whitefield Senior, threw a birthday celebration every year. However, because she was turning 80 this year, the celebration would be grander than ever. All of the affluent families in the city would attend the celebration. Naturally, my family and the Greenes would also be there. I was kept busy until the afternoon because of my company. After that, I hurriedly drove to Whitfield Manor. As soon as I entered the manor, I saw my parents glaring at me. Stacy's parents looked equally upset. "Get the hell over here, Xavier!" my mother roared. I had no choice but to do as told. Then, she snapped, "How dare you lay a hand on Stacy!" She slapped me. I didn't dodge, merely placing a hand on my cheek as I glanced at Stacy, who was curled up in Gina's arms. She looked smug, and she stuck her nose into the air when she saw me. I sneered to myself. So, this was what she'd been planning. I knew my mother had only slapped me for the Greene family's sake. She said, "Hurry up and apologize to Stacy!" Just then, Gina said, "Now, now. It's Mrs. Whitfield Senior's birthday today; this isn't an event that we can interrupt. Let's not do any of that. Besides, Xavier has always treated Stacy well. I'm sure he must've had his reasons for doing so." As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Stacy said, "What are you saying, Mom? Xavier is horrible to me!" "You know what you've done, you brat. Why don't you tell me why he was mad at you?" Gina was relatively composed as she chided Stacy. The latter merely made an ugly face and ignored me. The celebration soon started. Mrs. Whitfield Senior was wheeled out in her wheelchair. Everyone started wishing her a happy birthday, and the atmosphere was lively. After the celebration, Stacy got up to no good again. She pulled out a photo and stormed over to Mrs. Whitfield Senior, looking furious. "I need you to help me with something, Mrs. Whitfield Senior. I want to call off that dumb promise to marry Xavier." Mrs. Whitfield Senior looked up at her. "Now, isn't that just asking for trouble? Xavier is a nice chap, isn't he? He's handsome and responsible." Her tone was kind and amicable. However, since she was the reason everyone was gathered at Whitfield Manor, her conversation with Stacy soon caught everyone's attention. "Look at what Xavier's done." Stacy held out the photo in her hands. "He even slapped me because of this woman. How can I possibly marry someone with anger issues?" Her words made everyone suck in their breaths. Some even started whispering among themselves. Gina snapped, "Get back here, Stacy! You should know better than to disturb Mrs. Whitfield Senior with this on her birthday!" "Since you refuse to stand up for me, Mom, I have no choice but to ask Mrs. Whitfield Senior to do it!" Stacy cried. I frowned. What was she up to this time? I had no intention of squabbling with her because it was Mrs. Whitfield Senior's birthday, but it seemed she wasn't willing to let the matter slide. I approached them and looked at the photo. It had been taken during Makayla's audition. In the photo, I was standing. Due to the angle from which the photo had been taken, it looked like Makayla was in my arms. I couldn't help getting mad. "Do you think it's fun to sow discord like this, Stacy?" She glared at me and flung the photo at my face. "You call this sowing discord? Mrs. Whitfield Senior, this is why I came to you. I want you to call off this promise to marry with everyone watching!"