Chapter 2 A Harsh Punishment

• Mabel stretched her rain-soaked arms to put on the coat, trembling as she did so. Her pale lips parted slightly, and a hoarse croak emerged. “I want to see him.”
• Michael didn't even bat an eyelid as he relayed Xavier's exact words. “Mr. Scott said that Ms. Jennings' presence has tarnished the atmosphere of the estate. He would appreciate it if you, Ms. Jennings, would stop being a thorn in his side.”
• Since her earlier meeting with Xavier, Mabel had not shown a hint of cowardice. But now, the strength she had been feigning was becoming increasingly difficult to maintain. Her trembling shoulders betrayed the pain in her heart.
• Mabel closed her eyes, her face drenched with rainwater. It was hard to tell whether the dampness at the corners of her eyes was from the rain or her tears. Michael watched her impassively. Mabel opened her eyes again, lifted her head, and said to Michael, “Michael, regardless of what you think, I did not bribe those ruffians to tarnish Whitney's innocence. I cannot silently bear your resentment when I'm innocent.”
• Despite her exhaustion, Mabel spoke clearly and deliberately, enunciating each word. She was a woman who, although willing to bow her head temporarily, was filled with unyielding pride.
• Michael finally displayed an emotion beyond indifference. His gray eyebrows furrowed, and his gaze toward Mabel was filled with utter disgust. “Whitney is my daughter,” he said, his voice heavy with bitterness. “She has always been a well-behaved and sensible girl. She has never set foot in such chaotic and filthy places like bars and nightclubs. Yet, she met her end in such a place, a place frequented by all sorts of lowlifes, dying at the hands of a band of thugs.”
• He continued, “Ms. Jennings, we've looked into her communications. Before her death, she called you and sent you a text message. The content of the message was: 'I've arrived at Eclipse. Where are you, Mabel?'”
• The old butler fixed his gaze on Mabel, his eyes filled with loathing. “Ms. Jennings, the one you've harmed wasn't just a pet; she was a living, breathing person! Someone has died because of your actions, yet you still deny it! Everyone knows how obsessed you are with Mr. Scott, but his heart belonged only to my daughter, Whitney. He was repulsed by your relentless pursuit. You were clearly jealous of Whitney, and since you couldn't have Mr. Scott, you sought to tarnish Whitney's reputation. Your malice, Ms. Jennings, is truly despicable!”
• Mabel was left speechless. Whitney was Michael's daughter and the love of Xavier's life. As for Mabel, she was merely a woman who had a one-sided crush on Xavier. Now, with Whitney dead, Mabel was not only a supporting role but had become the villainess.
• “Ms. Jennings, please leave,” Michael said. “Oh, and Mr. Scott asked me to relay a message to you.”
• Mabel turned to look at him.
• “Mr. Scott asked, 'Why wasn't it you who died?'”
• Mabel, who was still kneeling on the ground, began to shake uncontrollably, a severe pain radiating from her chest.
• Michael turned around, his dry, wrinkled lips curling into a snarl. The expression made his stern face seem even more indifferent and cruel.
• Whitney was killed by Mabel, and there was nothing he could do to avenge her. He despised Mabel's malevolence.
• Struggling against the bone-deep chill that had enveloped her, Mabel barely managed to stagger to her feet. Yet, no sooner had she stood up than the numbness in her legs betrayed her, sending her crashing back down onto the frigid asphalt. A self-deprecating smile crept onto her face. Why couldn't it have been you who died?
• It indeed sounded like something Xavier would say. Mabel forced a smile more painful than a cry and lamented, “Whitney, oh Whitney, with your death, I've become public enemy number one.”
• On the second floor of the Scott residence, a broad-shouldered, lean figure stood silhouetted against the window. Barefooted and wearing a black robe, Xavier gazed indifferently out of the floor-to-ceiling window, his attention fixed on the solitary figure in the rain.
• “Mr. Scott, your message has been relayed to Ms. Jennings, word for word,” Michael reported. After dismissing Mabel, he quietly positioned himself at the entrance of the master bedroom.
• Xavier swirled the red wine in his glass, only pulling his indifferent gaze from Mabel upon hearing Michael's words. His thin lips delivered a cold set of instructions: “Inform the Jennings family that they have to choose between Mabel or their current standing.”
• “Yes.”
• Xavier added, “Next, inform Seacastle University that they no longer have any records of Mabel Jennings. Notify her high school that Mabel was expelled due to fighting during her school years. Her highest level of education is middle school.”
• “Understood.”
• “Finally,” Xavier said coldly, “Send her to prison.”
• Upon hearing this, the old butler suddenly looked up, taken aback. “Mr. Scott?”
• “An eye for an eye. Bribing others, and deliberately plotting to harm someone; she deserves to be behind bars, eating prison food for at least three years. What? Do you think I'm wrong, Michael?” The three-year sentence was decided by Xavier. He didn't have enough evidence, but his fury fueled his determination.
• “No, you're doing the right thing. Thank you, Mr. Scott,” Michael said between sobs, tears streaking down his face. “If it weren't for you, the wrongs Mabel committed against Whitney would have gone unpunished. I'm helpless against Mabel since she's a member of the Jennings family. Thank you, Mr. Scott. Thank you.”
• Xavier turned around and looked out of the floor-to-ceiling window. He watched as Mabel's silhouette vanished around the corner of the tarred road below. A shadow clouded his eyes. His slender fingers tightened around the wine glass. He tilted his head back, consuming the crimson liquid in one gulp without spilling a single drop.