Chapter 213
Chapter 213
Anthony remained silent for a brief moment.
Admittedly, he was infuriated when he saw the video.
Quincey’s actions were reckless, yet Andrea, the instigator, was far more reprehensible.
Several times, the thought of involving the police crossed his mind, but each time, the memory of Andrea’s tearful recount of her struggles to secure a donor for Lauraine while overseas held him back.
Owing Andrea a favor meant he was now bound to assist her.
In a voice that was barely above a whisper, rough and slightly parched, Anthony said, “Genevieve, Andrea’s actions were indefensible, but that doesn’t mean we should lock her away. After all, she played a part in saving
Lauraine’s life-”
Genevieve cut him off sharply, her voice dripping with scorn, “That’s your reasoning? Let’s not forget that, I too played a part in saving Lauraine. But, how quickly you forget the name of the donor, clinging instead to your gratitude toward Andrea. You cherish her for the life she saved, yet you overlook the sacrifice my family made. Be careful, Anthony, this decision might be one you’ll live to regret.”
With those words, she ended the call abruptly.
Anthony attempted to reach out again only to be met with silence.
After the call, Genevieve sent a message to Jasper before carelessly tossing her phone onto the sofa, unintentionally hitting Goldie on the head.
Goldie looked up, seemingly offended. Adorned in a golden faux fur outfit chosen by Genevieve that mirrored its natural coat, Goldie appeared exceptionally endearing.
The outfit was a perfect fit, restoring Goldie’s confidence and dignity.
At Genevieve’s clapping, Goldie bounded over, tail wagging in joy.
Meanwhile, Anthony stepped out of the penthouse, aware of Genevieve’s fury but resolved to make amends to Monica in other ways.
Despite recognizing Andrea’s vile nature, he knew he had to patiently wait for the right moment to address her
actions.
The following day, Andrea was washed over with a sense of relief, confident that Anthony would not turn her
over.
It seemed to her that Genevieve held little significance to Anthony.
Carrying soup made by Abigail, she headed to the hospital in high spirits.
Simultaneously, a surveillance video began circulating on various building screens and online, igniting public discourse.
As Andrea exited her car, a call from Abigail came through. “Stay out of the public eye. Get Anthony to help you,
now!”
Confused at first, Andrea noticed the change in the bystanders‘ demeanors, facing their scorn and detachment.
“That’s her. She’s so vicious. This is a crime.”
“Yeah. She’s absolutely crazy!”
Her expression shifted as she approached the hospital’s entrance, a sense of dread creeping in.
Suddenly, she was doused with water from a half–empty bottle thrown from the crowd.
Startled, Andrea shielded her head, looking around in distress. “Who did that? Who?”
Everyone looked at her coldly. No one spoke up or defended her.
Anger etched on her face, Andrea vowed, “I’ll find out who’s responsible, and they’ll pay dearly for this!”
With those words, she ascended the stairs, feeling the weight of everyone’s gaze upon her.
Upon reaching the VIP floor, she overheard Quincey’s furious rant. “Genevieve has lost it. How dare she publicize my image? It’s a violation of my rights. Her fall has nothing to do with me. I merely voiced my displeasure. Andrea is the one at fault, so why drag me into this mess?”
Andrea paused, her complexion turning ashen as a sudden realization hit her.
She quickly checked her phone, greeted by a barrage of headlines casting her and Quincey in a negative light: [Mother–In–Law and Daughter–In–Law of Prominent Family Accused of Harassing Elderly Woman)
[Hoffman Group Shares Plummet in Wake of Scandal]
Trembling, Andrea opened the video.
It was grainy, seemingly recorded by an onlooker, and displayed on the largest shopping mall’s screen in This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.
Acocester.
The footage showcased Quincey’s disdainful outburst upon noticing Monica wearing identical attire.
“What’s this nonsense? Are you guys selling to anyone now? How dare she wear the same outfit as me? Who does she think she is? Some filthy beggar deserving of respect? Ridiculous! She couldn’t possibly afford it. Strip her of that dress, and kick her out!”
Quincey’s contempt was unmistakable, captured for all to see.
In the footage, Andrea didn’t hold back her disdain, urging action with a sneer, “What are you waiting for? She’s just an old hag. On the other hand, Mrs. Hoffman is hardly lacking in funds.”
As Andrea watched the playback, her complexion turned ghostly white, as though she had been drained of all
blood.
The footage then showed her trailing behind Monica, and with a deliberate shove, she pushed Monica in the back right as she was about to descend the stairs, causing Monica to tumble to the floor.
The video ended abruptly after that moment.
Andrea had initially brushed off the incident, confident that Anthony’s presence would mitigate any fallout.
Yet, the widespread sharing of the video thrust her into an immediate storm of backlash.
Andrea’s lips turned ashen.
The surveillance video vividly captured her arrogant demeanor, sparking a barrage of outraged comments online.
[Unbelievable! This is the first time I’ve seen such haughty elitism from a wealthy family. Birds of a feather,
Emergency calls only
M
indeed!]
[Someone call the police! Isn’t this akin to first–degree murder?]
[They should go to hell! Bullying an elderly woman is unforgivable. Thank goodness the store’s surveillance cameras were rolling, or the victim would’ve had no recourse.]
[Since when did luxury shops become exclusive to the rich? Aren’t elderly women allowed to browse too?]
[The store manager is personally serving the old lady. Who gave them the right to belittle her?]
[If they’re so capable, why not purchase the brand outright? Their entitlement is sickening!]
0
[Between the Hoffman Group’s chairman and his affair, and his wife’s arrogance, what a spectacle of a family!]
Reading through the vitriol, Andrea could no longer maintain her composure. Her legs gave out, and she collapsed to the floor with a heavy thud.
The situation spiraled beyond her worst fears, far beyond her control.
At the sound of her fall, Anthony opened the door with a somber look and found Andrea on the ground. “What are you doing here?”
Shaking uncontrollably, Andrea was on the verge of pleading for help when Quincey burst in, her frustration palpable. With a sharp smack, she struck Andrea across the face.
Slap!
The slap was crisp and harsh.
“You brought this on yourself. What possessed you to lay hands on that woman? You’ve even dragged me into this mess! Genevieve is clearly taking this chance to strike back. Go grovel to her,
make it clear I had no part in this, and convince her to remove those videos!” Quincey’s voice cut through the air, a mix of anger and desperation.
Though she was initially stunned by the slap, Andrea’s despair deepened upon processing Quincey’s words.
15
FOUR HEFJUIN wonen Unu Sne ever care about someone else?”
)
Emergency calls only
H
She thought, ‘Quincey only cares about herself. When did she ever care about someone else?‘
Э