Chapter 6

The next day was time for Jolene's visit to the Patel residence as scheduled. Daphne selected some expensive tobacco, liquor, tea, and sweets. Thinking that the Patel family had done a good deed, she took out a hundred-year-old gin root in perfect condition. "Jolene, it's going to be hard on you. Steven isn't in the best state to come with you, so you'll have to make the trip alone," she apologized, holding Jolene's hand with a look of sorry. Wearing a light green long dress, Jolene nodded slightly. Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at the second floor of the villa. She had parted with Steven on bad terms yesterday, so she hadn't gotten her hands on the project transfer agreement. It seemed she would have to think of another way to take Emma back. "I'll get going, then." "Stay safe." Daphne stepped back a couple of steps, watching her get in the car and leave. Jolene sat in the car with her hands hanging by her sides. Her sleeves were pinned with perfectly hidden silver needles to form a circle of flower pleats. This trip home would certainly involve a battle of wits and courage. At worst, she would have to tear off the pretense completely. When the car arrived at the Patel residence, not even a single maid was there to greet her. Jolene walked into the living room, and only then did the laughter inside come to a stop. "Jojo!" Glenda hurried to her side and greeted her warmly. "You're finally back. Did Mr. Welsh come with you?" Sitting on the couch, Kathrine raised her chin and looked at Jolene in disdain. She mocked, "Who would want a bumpkin? Perhaps Steven feels too ashamed to come with her." "Kathrine." Sitting on the other side, her father, Jed Patel, put down the newspaper in his hands. He warned with a stern expression, "Don't talk to your sister like that." Kathrine shrugged and was unbothered. "Jolene, have a seat and drink some tea. Sisters should help each other, stick together, and be inseparable. You'll soon be sisters-in-law too, so you need to be close. I've spoiled Kathrine, so bear with her," Jed advised. Glenda smoothed things over while probing, "Yes, you're practically like real sisters. Jojo, does the second branch of the Welsh family have any news about Dr. Ashton? If they find him, don't forget to let me know." She had been infertile for years and had not given Jed a son. She had visited many doctors, but none could cure her. It was said that Gabriel had a recipe for herbal medicine meant to maintain health, and it had excellent effects. Looking at them acting so disgustingly, Jolene sneered, "What's the matter? Are you sick too?" "You're so rude!" Glenda's face dropped, and she slapped Jolene. A red handprint appeared on Jolene's fair cheek. She stared at Glenda, her heart filled with injustice and grievance. Glenda was her biological mother, after all. "Glenda, I told you that this bitch only responds to force, not kindness. Yet you and Dad insist on doing it the polite way. Jolene, hand over the project transfer agreement," Kathrine sneered. "Where's Grandma?" Jolene demanded sharply. "I'll only hand it over after I see her." Kathrine smirked. "You didn't get it, did you? Then you're in for a tough time today. Glenda, why are you still hesitating? Hold her down and search her!" "Get away!" Jolene swiftly took out a needle and jabbed it into an acupuncture point on Kathrine's arm. Kathrine screamed in agony. She froze in place and couldn't move. "Jolene, let her go! Don't hurt her!" Glenda cried out in a panic. She only cared about Kathrine. Jolene's cold was cold as frost. She demanded, "I want to see Grandma!" "Jojo!" The sound of hurried footsteps came from the stairway. "How did the old lady get out!" An elderly woman with silver hair and a frail frame ran downstairs, gasping for breath. Glenda grabbed her arm harshly. "Old hag, where are you running off to?" "Grandma!" Jolene looked at Emma's pale face as her eyes turned red with tears. Emma certainly hadn't been resting well at the Patel residence as she looked very haggard. "Oh my dear, don't cry. I'm alright." Emma's voice was choked with sobs. She begged, "Glenda, she's your daughter. Don't push her like this. She's had a hard life since she was young." How did Glenda turn into someone so harsh and cruel? "If she hands over the document, I'll let go. Otherwise…" Glenda tightened her grip, digging into Emma's arm. Seeing this, Jolene jabbed another needle into Kathrine's GB21, making half of Kathrine's body go numb. "Glenda, help me! Help me!" Kathrine was terrified. Jolene demanded word by word, "Let us go." The scene came to a stalemate, and it was as tense as a taut string threatening to snap. The atmosphere was thick with tension. Only then did Jed stand up. His face was full of disgust. "Young lady, you're still too soft-hearted." He knew that to win, one had to act ruthlessly. He grabbed Emma's head and slammed it against the wall. There was a dull thud. Emma's forehead turned bruised and purple. She was in so much pain that she could barely make a sound. Jolene's eyes burned with rage. Her heart felt like it was being torn apart. "Stop!" "Hand over the document, and we'll release her. Don't try any tricks. I've been navigating the business world for many years, and I'm no pushover." Jed had to make sure that Kathrine married Bradson. There was a sudden commotion outside as a security guard rushed in. "Mr. Patel, Mr. Welsh is here!" Steven was here? Jed released his grip and smoothed his clothes, arrogantly saying, "It won't change anything even if he comes." A cripple like Steven discarded by the Welsh family was no threat. "He brought over a hundred people! And they all look tough and intimidating!" The security guard was panicking. After he spoke, a group of burly men in suits and sunglasses surged in, filling the entire living room with an imposing presence. In the middle sat a man in a wheelchair. His cold, pale face was sharp and exuded a sense of rightful arrogance. Even with disabled legs, he resembled the bright moon in the sky, far beyond reach and unattainable. Kathrine was stunned, realizing this man was supposed to be hers. "Mr. Welsh, what you are doing? You trespassed and brought your men in without permission. I could call the police," Jed stammered upon seeing the large crowd. Steven's indifferent eyes swept over the room and settled on the pitiful-looking Jolene. Where was the fierceness she had when pulling his pants? "I'm here to take my wife home. Is there any problem with that?" he uttered lightly. The burly bodyguards pushed Kathrine and Glenda aside to bring Jolene and Emma over. Jolene's tears couldn't help but fall when she saw Steven. "Grandma got beaten. We need to go to the hospital." She checked Emma's pulse. Her injuries weren't severe, but her chronic ailments had compounded over time. "Let's go," Steven said calmly. Jolene helped Emma into the car while Norman Beltran wheeled Steven closely behind. Steven turned back to the Patels and warned, "I haven't been kicked out of the Welsh family yet. You have no right to act so wildly." Jed trembled in rage. He waited to see how the second branch of the Welsh family would continue to act arrogant in the future. The group left the Patel residence. The bodyguards lined up and got onto a bus parked at the community gate. Jolene looked at Steven in curiosity and confusion. The second branch of the Welsh family had enough money to hire so many bodyguards who were organized and disciplined. There was even a bus to transport them. Was this Steven's trump card of arrogance? "These people…" she hesitated to speak. Steven turned his head and nonchalantly explained, "Actors hired from a film studio."