When I finally returned, I was greeted by a few uninvited guests.
The housekeeper was setting dinner on the table. Both Jason and Alex were seated on either side of Kimberly. They were gently asking her to eat.
Alex saw me and let out a derisive snort. He lifted his chin and stared at me with an expression of inexplicable condescension.
“Are you aware of your mistake? Are you here to apologize? Let me tell you, Amelia, it’s too late!”
Jason’s face twisted with mockery, and his eyes filled with open disdain as he glared at me.
“Do you have any idea how devastated Kimberly was when you dumped her in the slums today?
“You’re even thinking of cutting off James Corporation’s financial aid for her? Amelia, how can you be so cruel?”
I interrupted him calmly and said, “Just to clarify, I’m not only cutting off her financial aid. I have no intention of continuing to fund you and Alex either.”
Jason’s expression changed and when he was about to retort, the butler, Mr. Williams, interrupted.
“Miss, this isn’t right. How could you cancel their financial aid like that? What are you doing to the James family’s reputation?”
Mr. Williams had been with our family for years. He had been with us ever since my father’s time. He had practically watched me grow up.
He had always acted like a grandfather around me.
“I’ve warned you before that you should not act on impulse. I had never expected you to be so stubborn.
“Do you think you can stop the financial aid just like that? Hurry up and apologize to Ms. Kimberly and Mr. James and reinstate the funding!”
He spoke with such self-righteous authority. It was as though he were reprimanding an undisciplined child.
In my past life, I trusted this “grandfather” so much that I treated him as if he was my father. This was the reason that I was easily manipulated by him and had failed to see through his hypocritical nature.
Alex was irritated and without a second thought, he took the chicken soup prepared for me by the housekeeper and handed it to Kimberly.
“I told you not to act impulsively, but you wouldn’t listen. Now you see the consequences, don’t you?”
I glared at Mr. Williams with a dark expression.
“Perhaps you’re getting old and forgetful, Mr. Williams. Before my parents passed, they made a will. It states that everything in James Corporation belongs to me.
“As the head of the corporation, do I really need an outsider like you to tell me who to support?”
Seeing the shift in Mr. Williams’s expression, I slammed my hand down on the table with force, sending the dishes flying.
“Since you seem to have forgotten your place, there is no longer a place for you in the James family!
“And this applies to everyone here today who doesn’t know their place. Get out!”
I gestured with a swift motion and signaled the bodyguards to toss Jason and the others out.
Just as the bodyguards were about to act, the villa door swung open, and an elderly voice rang out.
“Stop! Let me see who dares to lay a hand on Kimberly?!”
It was my grandmother.
The moment Kimberly heard her voice, she looked up with swollen, tearful eyes. She looked helpless.
My grandmother hurried over and helped her up with a concerned look, but as soon as she saw me, her expression turned cold.
“Kneel!”
I met her gaze without flinching and asked, “Why should I?”
My grandmother was infuriated by my tone, and she slammed her cane heavily against the ground.
“Amelia, you heartlessly abandoned a student supported by our corporation in the public, and now you’re defying your elders. Is this the kind of upbringing you’ve had?!”
