Chapter 9 A Sinister Plot

• Juliet fumed, “I've got to hire someone to get rid of Jennifer!”
• Liza had calmed down considerably since discovering Jennifer's reappearance, and she advised, “Darling, you should think this through. There must be a reason why she's acting like a retard.”
• Juliet was, however, too absorbed in her rage to process her mother's advice. Ugh, I want to kill Jennifer right now!
• Filled with thoughts of revenge, Juliet stomped to her room door and pulled it open, only to be greeted by a harsh slap.
• “Dad!” she whined as she held her stinging cheek indignantly.
• “Don't call me Dad! I spent years trying to wangle a deal with the Whites, only to have my shameless daughter ruin it in the blink of an eye! I want you to apologize to Mrs. White right now!”
• Patrick Young prized his business more than anything else in this world, and he would not permit anyone to ruin his career, not even his biological daughter.
• Juliet retorted, “You're making me apologize to a retard? I won't!”
• Her petty obstinance enraged Patrick, who raised his hand to slap her again.
• Just before his palm made contact with Juliet's cheek, a housekeeper in the Young residence rushed into Juliet's room and announced, “Mr. Young, Mr. Lucas White is here.”
• “Why is he here?” Patrick was baffled.
• Mitchell was the most capable member among the youngest generation of the Whites, while his younger brother, Lucas, was notorious for being a good-for-nothing playboy.
• Thus, Patrick had a poor impression of Lucas and did not particularly feel like receiving the young man into his home.
• “Mr. Lucas said that he's here to visit Ms. Juliet,” explained the housekeeper.
• Patrick eyed his daughter suspiciously. He thought Juliet looked presentable enough despite crying off her makeup in a fit.
• Living up to his reputation as a sly fox, he immediately guessed the reason for Lucas' unannounced visit. “Bring him to the living room,” he ordered before turning to Juliet. “Clean yourself up and come downstairs.”
• Lucas waited in the living room for a bit before Patrick appeared and took a seat on an adjacent couch. “Mr. Lucas, to what do I owe this pleasure?”
• “Mr. Young, I'm here to visit Ms. Young,” came his reply.
• “Mr. Lucas, I'm sorry you had to witness my daughter's transgressions. Please let Old Mr. White know that Juliet and I will visit him tomorrow to offer our sincerest apologies.”
• “No, please don't worry about it. In fact, I'm sorry that Ms. Young suffered indignation at the birthday celebration tonight. Once my grandpa has calmed down, I'll talk to him and convince him to resume our families' collaboration.”
• Patrick was begrudgingly impressed by Lucas' bold promise. “Dare I ask if I can take your word for it on the matter of our collaboration?”
• “Yes, of course.” Lucas nodded solemnly.
• He's interested in Juliet. Sensing an opportunity to further his interests, Patrick summoned a housekeeper and said, “Please ask Ms. Juliet to hurry down. We should not keep our distinguished guest waiting.”
• Having never fancied Lucas in her life, Juliet dragged her feet about going downstairs and only headed to the living room reluctantly when the housekeeper came to hurry her along.
• Lucas' face lit up when he saw Juliet.
• He had been taken with her after a coincidental encounter at a dinner three years ago.
• Hence, Lucas fumed when he saw Juliet's eyes, red and swollen from crying.
• He suddenly uttered, “We can only blame that retard for everything that happened earlier. It would not do for our family to harbor an idiot like her.”
• Juliet finally deigned to give Lucas the time of day after realizing his intention to get rid of Jennifer.
• “Mr. Lucas, so you trust our Julie?” Liza asked in delight as she entered the living room with a fruit platter.
• Lucas answered without a hint of hesitation, “Of course! Why would I believe some retard?”
• As his gaze darkened viciously, he turned to Juliet and added, “Juliet, trust me on this. I swear I'll make up for what happened to you today.”
• The truth was that he had a personal vendetta against Mitchell as well. Lucas despised Mitchell's lofty behavior and the fact that Mitchell seemed destined to bask in the spotlight and take control over the White family's assets, leaving Lucas with the role of vice president, a position as powerless as it was useless.
• If I can't strike Mitchell directly, I can start with his retard of a wife!