Chapter 407
Suddenly, a powerful grip seized Rosalie’s arm and yanked her backward.
“Ack!” Rosalie shrieked in outrage, whirling around to find Harold restraining her.
“Enough! Do you realize what you’re doing? Haven’t you humiliated us enough?” Harold roared.
Being shouted at only stoked Rosalie’s fury. “How dare you take their side?”
Her face twisted grotesquely as Harold hissed, “Stop embarrassing us! If you actually hit Merida, not only will the Fishers make your life hell–Paisley and I will suffer too!”
While Rosalie raged, Harold remained clear–headed. Seeing Harvey intervene for Elara’s sake confirmed what he already knew–even divorced, Elara wasn’t someone Rosalie could trample on.
Harold understood Rosalie’s burning desire to crush Elara beneath her heel. Like a wild animal invading a manicured garden, the owners would naturally expel the intruder.
For seven years, Rosalie’s obsession with overpowering Elara had festered. But Harold recognized this public meltdown as disastrous. If he didn’t forcibly stop Rosalie now, they’d both plunge into ruin together.
His large hand clamped around the back of Rosalie’s head, forcing her to face the audience and bow in shame.
“I apologize on Rosalie’s behalf! She’s been overworked and emotionally unstable lately. Please forgive her!”
Harold then forcefully turned Rosalie’s shoulders, making her face Merida. He pressed down on the back of her head, trying to force a bow. However, Rosalie’s neck stiffened like reinforced steel, resisting his pressure.
“Merida, I’d like to apologize on behalf of your aunt,” Harold said through gritted teeth.
He forced a smile at Elara. “You know how stubborn Rosalie is. I’ll make sure to discipline her properly!”
“Mr. Judd, what about Paisley…” Merida interjected.
“Of course, Paisley can have snacks with you all!” Harold replied quickly. “But she has a sensitive stomach–can’t tolerate the smell of meat. She’ll vomit if she eats animal products.
“Elara, Merida, I appreciate your concern, but no one understands a child’s health better than her parents!”
Elara raised an eyebrow. “Can we trust your word on this?”
“My word is bond! When it comes to important matters, Rosalie always listens to me! Damn it–just apologize to Merida already!”
Harold looked ready to jump up and physically bend Rosalie in half. Her hair was already disheveled from his grip.
“Let me go!!” she shrieked, trying to pry his hand away.
Harold’s eyes turned icy. Without warning, he slapped Rosalie across the face.
The sharp crack of the blow stunned everyone–the host, the parents, even Rosalie herself. She stood frozen, clutching her rapidly reddening cheek, staring at Harold in utter disbelief.
“You… You actually hit me!”
Harold stood before Rosalie, then suddenly raised his hand and struck his own face.
One slap wasn’t enough–he began hitting himself repeatedly, left and right, as the sharp cracks echoed through
the auditorium.
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+25 BONUS
Chapter 407
“This is my fault! I failed to control Rosalle properly! Elara, I’m sorry! Please forgive me!!”
His hysterical shouts terrified Paisley, who stood frozen in the audience. Had both her parents gone completely mad?
Desmond urgently gestured to nearby staff. “Someone get those two off the stage immediately!”
His gaze turned icy as he observed Harold–after decades in politics, he recognized manipulative tactics when he saw them.
When Rosalie refused to apologize, Harold had taken her place, even dropping to his knees before Merida. Several teachers quickly rushed forward to drag both Harold and Rosalie away.
Harvey remained below the stage, quietly instructing Cyrus “Escort Rosalie’s entire family off school grounds.”
As Elara led Merida down from the platform, the little girl watched Paisley being taken away with deep concern in her eyes.
