Chapter 11 The Slap

• "What?"
• Everyone turned to where the maid was pointing and saw a snake hissing with its tongue flicking out.
• It wasn't an ordinary snake. Its head was unusually large, and the sides of its neck were puffed out as if ready to strike.
• The maids were too scared to move closer. Instead, they backed away in fear.
• "Run! Get out of here!" They scrambled to escape and rushed out of the room.
• Just then, Dylan and Celeste showed up.
• He looked inside the room and instinctively stepped back a few paces. He didn't dare to get any closer.
• On the contrary, her face turned pale. "What is this? Why is there a snake? How did Janice get bitten? What are you all waiting for? Kill it!"
• The maids exchanged nervous glances, but none of them dared to move forward.
• Who would dare approach a cobra that menacing? No one was willing to take that risk.
• Betty arrived later and saw what was happening. Her face showed a mix of shock and confusion. Wasn't that the snake she had put in Summer's room? How had it ended up in Janice's? But Betty couldn't tell anyone about this.
• Even when Betty was carrying the clear box with the snake, her legs had been shaking. Now, she didn't dare to get closer. She knew how poisonous it was. Without the antivenom, Janice wouldn't survive an hour.
• Seeing that no one else was stepping up, Celeste grabbed Dylan's arm. "Honey, you have to kill that snake."
• How could he possibly get close to it? But with so many eyes on him, he couldn't afford to lose the respect befitting the head of the family. If word got out that a snake bit Janice and he didn't do anything, his reputation would be ruined.
• He silently cursed the cowardly maids and the demanding Celeste, who had dragged him into this unwanted spotlight. Without them, he wouldn't be in this predicament.
• So, he reluctantly picked up the broom and stepped forward.
• Just then, a voice, clear but filled with confusion, broke the tense silence. "Dad, what are you doing here in the middle of the night?"
• Dylan turned to see Summer in her pajamas. Her hair tousled, and her eyes blinked groggily. He said awkwardly, "A snake got into the room and bit Janice. I have to go take care of it..."
• "No!" The sleepiness vanished from her eyes as she grabbed his arm. "It's too risky! You can't go, Dad!"
• Celeste, enraged by Summer's words, raised her hand and slapped her. Summer could have easily dodged, but she hesitated for a moment before letting it land.
• A loud "smack" echoed as the slap landed squarely on her face. Her fair cheek instantly swelled with five fingers clearly imprinted.
• After striking her, Celeste shouted, "You horrible girl! Do you want your sister to die? Get out, you heartless woman! Albert, throw her out!"
• The butler, Albert, didn't know what to do. So, he glanced at Dylan for guidance.
• Before Dylan could respond, Summer's tear-streaked face turned to him. "Dad, I'm only worried about you. You're the head of the family. If anything happened to you, what would we do? I just found you again, and I can't bear the thought of losing you."
• Those words struck him deeply. Yes, he was the family's pillar, and everyone relied on him. If something happened to him, the Steiner Family would crumble. At that instant, he realized only Summer understood him.
• Dylan frowned and glared at Celeste. "Why did you hit her? She's just concerned about my safety."
• "But she's obviously wants Janice—"
• "Aunt Celeste!" Summer interrupted. "If that's what you believe, fine. I'll show you I mean no harm to Janice." She snatched the broom from her father's grasp and boldly approached the snake.
• "Ms. Moore, be careful! That snake is really venomous," a worried maid cautioned.
• Dylan hesitated. He realized that Summer held greater significance for him at that moment than Janice.
• "Don't go, Summer!" He tried to stop her, but she brushed past him toward the snake.
• The cobra, now enraged, lunged at her. She "struggled" to evade the snake's attack and quickly swiped the broom at the snake's tail. The cobra, with its hood flaring, hissed menacingly.
• Everyone else was frozen in fear or had retreated to a safe distance and left Summer to confront the snake alone. To the bystanders, she appeared as a true heroine.
• After about ten minutes of struggle, she theatrically wrestled with the snake and finally managed to cut off its head.
• Upon seeing the once-terrifying cobra lying lifeless on the floor, Dylan rushed over to Summer, visibly concerned. "Are you okay?"
• She looked terrified. When she saw her father, she ran into his arms. "Dad! I was so scared…"
• "Don't worry, sweetheart. The snake is dead."
• "With you here, I'm not afraid… But please, take Janice to the hospital…" Summer looked at him with a mix of pity and determination yet remained resilient.
• Dylan's heart melted. Having a daughter like Summer was a true blessing. When he noticed the red mark on her cheek, his anger surged.
• He glared at Celeste. "Look at what you've done! She risked her life to protect Janice, and you think Summer would harm her?"
• Celeste began, "I..."
• "You clearly can't distinguish right from wrong. You're no longer fit to run this household. I'll take charge of the finances from now on."
• Her face turned pale. "Honey, I just—"
• Celeste tried to explain, but Dylan cut her off. "Enough! I don't want to hear it. Starting today, you're confined to your room until you've reflected on what you've done."
• Shortly after, Janice was rushed to the emergency room because her heart had stopped beating.