Chapter 71

Chapter 71Chapter 71 Wretched Woman
Michaela and Jonathan didn’t leave the dining room after they finished their meal.
It would be awkward if they did. Besides, she was in the Xander residence at the moment, so it wouldn’t
be nice for an outsider to make things worse.
It wasn’t until she heard Mavis’ harsh words that she hid behind the dining room’s entrance and carefully
observed the situation inside the living room.
She always thought the old woman was kind and warm. It wasn’t until that moment she saw what Mavis
was capable of.
Even the crafty Lucille was taken care of in seconds when the old woman unleashed her sharp tongue.
However, Lucille wasn’t the type to go down easily.
She might look weak, but she would never stop fighting for an opportunity to stand up for herself. “I know
I don’t deserve to be with Zack based on my status, but we’re truly in love with each other! It was
something I tried to prevent from happening before, but no one can control an emotional affair with logic.
I admit, I was wrong, but I’ll never regret loving Zack!”
Her tears poured out of her eyes even harder, so much so that almost everyone would’ve pitied her. It
was a shame that her opponent was Mavis, who had lived for far longer than her.The old woman had seen all kinds of woman in her long life. While she wasn’t a scholar, she certainly
picked up the ability to read people by observing them over the years.
It was something that no beautiful young woman could compare to her.
Intending to get her sympathy with some tears would never work.
Mavis’ mouth curved upward as she spoke in a mocking tone. “A woman can live humbly but not lowly.
Do you think I said all that because of your status? No! I said all that because you are a wretched
woman!”
Lucille’s heart tightened as she stared at the old woman in disbelief.
When her eyes met with the old woman’s, she felt as though her thoughts were laid bare for Mavis to
see. It made her feel scared and want to hide in a hole.
“The Lingard family adopted you from that orphanage and gave you a comfortable life. Yet, when you
managed to climb up to the top, you’d go as far as to kick them down. If you knew what’s best for you,
you would be spending your time in Quakersville right now and let your foster parents find another
partner for you to marry. You could’ve lived comfortably for the rest of your life, too, but you chose not to.
Do you think I’ll let any random person marry into the Xander family? Sorry, but we don’t accept people
who could perform vile acts without even a hint of remorse. You’re not marrying into the Xander family for
the rest of your life! If it wasn’t because I wanted to tell you where the Xander family stands, you wouldn’t
have been able to stand inside this building today! If you’re smart, you’ll leave Zack right now, and you
shall preserve your dignity. Otherwise, things will get very ugly for you.” Mavis’ harsh reprimand had
exceeded what Lucille could accept.
Last night, Lucille had even had a nice dream. She was planning to do whatever it took to make the old
couple happy. If she succeeded, then her marriage with Zack would be sealed.Unfortunately, reality had other plans, and it prepared a nasty morning surprise for her.
At the moment, her fingers were subconsciously clenching tightly. Her body was trembling, and a vicious
look flashed across her lowered head.
She approached the old couple, bowed at them, and then turned to Zack. “Your grandmother is right,
Zack. I don’t deserve you. Let’s break up! I won’t disturb your life any longer. Please let me go and let’s
not meet again!”
Lucille’s heart was pounding when she said that. She was afraid Zack would take his grandparents’
words to heart.
However, she had no other choice but to make her riskiest bet to succeed.
If she won the bet, then not only would she find out just how loyal he was to her, but it would also show
the old couple that Zack wanted her and that she wasn’t a lowly woman.
Even if she lost, she would still have enough leverage over Zack to make him listen to her.
As expected, just as she turned around and prepared to leave, Zack suddenly grabbed her hand and
stared at the old couple with a serious expression.
“I really do love Lucille, Grandma, Grandpa. She’s a kind, thoughtful, and sensible woman. Please don’t
blame Lucille for what happened to my and Michaela’s wedding. I’m a man. I should be the one who
takes up the responsibility for a mistake. Don’t vent your anger on her!” He was a man who worshiped
the way of machismo.
When he saw how badly Lucille was crying as she tried to break up with him for his own good, his desire
to protect her surged instantly.
Words leaped out of his mouth without going through his mind first.Seeing how Zack had caused his lover to become so infuriated that she couldn’t say a word, Nick glared
at his grandchild and slapped on the couch’s armrest loudly. The flames of fury in his eyes looked as
though it was going to swallow the young couple whole. “I dare you to say that again, Zack!”
He was a renowned man in the business market for many years, and he had accumulated a lifetime’s
worth of experience. From that, he formed an impenetrable cold façade that he could use whenever
necessary.
The only person he wouldn’t use that facade against was his wife. All the armor he put on his heart and
mind turned into cotton candy when he was around her. He had used his entire life to love and protect
her.
It was a well-known fact in the family that their relationship was very strong.
What Zack said had undoubtedly touched Nick’s bottom line.
The young man couldn’t help but feel a shiver down his spine when he saw his grandfather’s cold look.
He immediately recognized the mistake he had made on impulse and tried to remedy it.
Before he could speak, Nick cut him off with his booming voice. “You b*stard! How could you still have
the guts to stand in front of us after causing such a mess with the wedding? Have you ever thought
about what our family will look like to outsiders if they heard about this? Or the relationship between our
family and the Lingard family? What did you say earlier? You said you can take responsibility for your
mistakes, right? Fine, I’ll give you a chance to make up for your mistake! Mich is currently in the dining
room. Go and beg her for forgiveness. If she forgives you, then you can stay with whoever you want, and
we won’t say a word about it!”
Michaela, who was eavesdropping on the conversation behind the dining-room door, was still amazed by
how oppressive Nick could be, when she heard him mention her name.It prompted her to retract her neck in response. Just as she was turning around, a deep, calming voice
was heard next to her ear.
Jonathan’s sudden appearance made her blush. She shook her head subconsciously and heard his
magnetic voice again. “He’s usually not like that. It’s pretty clear he was pissed off by Zack. Don’t worry,
I’m here to protect you.”
There was a coaxing tone in his voice, which pulled at her heartstring. All she felt was her burning
cheeks, which then led to her ears feeling hot. I can’t believe this old man is still trying to flirt in this
situation. He’s shameless!
Just as she was cursing him in her mind, she heard a set of heavy footsteps coming straight at her.
When Zack heard his grandfather bring up Michaela, his mind suddenly decided to channel all his anger
toward her. He had subconsciously decided to push all the things that went wrong onto her.
He turned and headed to the dining room.
As he walked, he roared with anger, “I was the one who decided to divorce you, so why did you keep
complaining about me again and again to my family, Michaela? You hit Lucille last time to seek revenge,
so what’s your latest scheme now? Lay it all onto me! You can scold me or punch me however you want,
but after that, please get out of my life forever, okay? I’ve never seen a more vicious woman than you in
all my life. You—”
Just as he entered the dining room, the first thing he saw was Jonathan’s cold expression and dark eyes.
That made Zack swallow everything he wanted to say back. He gulped anxiously and greeted in a
trembling voice, “U-Uncle Jonathan.”