Chapter 29: Hated by Mom
Julian's POV
I was halfway through a new graphic novel when the first shouts erupted from downstairs.
Women yelling. Men talking over them.
Shit. What now?
I crept to my bedroom door, cracking it just enough to eavesdrop.
"Your son shouldn't have humiliated my Chase like that!" a woman's voice wailed. "My poor boy is practically crippled!"
Chase? As in Chase Anderson? My mind immediately connected the dots. Gabriel must have finally caught up with that stuttering asshole.
"What happened to my son is unacceptable!" the woman continued, her voice breaking with theatrical sobs. "He could have permanent damage!"
Mom's voice cut in, all honey-coated venom. "What? Julian, that troublemaker! Get him down here right now!"
I almost laughed. Classic Mom move—blame the family's black sheep first.
"If I'm not mistaken," a deeper male voice interjected, "it was your eldest son, Gabriel."
Dead silence. I could almost hear Mom's gears grinding, scrambling for a comeback.
"There must be some misunderstanding!" she finally sputtered, her laugh forced and brittle. "Gabriel would never— he's always been such a gentleman!"
"Misunderstanding?" the woman—who I now realized must be Margaret Anderson—shrieked. "My son is in the hospital! There were witnesses everywhere!"
I slipped out of my room and moved closer to the railing, keeping to the shadows. From my vantage point, I could see them all in the grand foyer: Margaret dabbing at mascara-streaked cheeks while her husband William stood stoically beside her. My grandfather Richard glowered from his favorite armchair, while my father and Mom stood facing the Andersons like opposing generals.
Richard slammed his cane against the marble floor. "First Julian nearly runs over that Parker girl, and now Gabriel puts Chase in the hospital? This is pouring gasoline on a fire!"
"Find Gabriel and bring him back here immediately," Richard commanded. "I refuse to believe we can't get him to return home when needed!"
I'd heard enough. Pulling my phone from my pocket, I retreated to my room and hit Gabriel's number. He answered on the third ring.
"What's up, little brother?" His voice was relaxed, happy even.
"Dude, you need to know—the Andersons just showed up here raising hell."
"What?" The shift in his tone was immediate.
"Chase's parents. They're downstairs right now with Grandfather and Dad. Mrs. Anderson is crying about how you beat the shit out of her precious boy."
"Fuck." A pause. "How bad is it?"
"Grandfather's pissed. He wants you dragged back here ASAP."
Gabriel sighed. "Alright. I just dropped Luna off. I'll head back now."
"What happened with Chase anyway?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.
"The asshole called Luna a whore to her face," Gabriel said, his voice darkening. "Nobody talks to her like that."
Ah. That explains it. Gabriel had always been protective of Luna, even back when they were together the first time.
I hung up and flopped back on my bed, staring at the ceiling.
Through my window, I could see the Andersons' Bentley parked in the circular driveway, its glossy black surface reflecting the mansion's exterior lights. The driver stood beside it, smoking and checking his watch.
Rich people problems, I thought, then caught myself. I was one of them now—at least officially. Though Mom never let me forget I wasn't a "real" Ashford.
---
An hour later, I heard the distinctive rumble of Gabriel's Aston Martin pulling up. Perfect timing—the tension downstairs had been building to a crescendo, with Richard getting increasingly impatient and Mom making endless excuses.
I crept back to my listening post just as Gabriel sauntered through the front door, looking completely unfazed.
"Looks like my welcome party's already started without me," he drawled, shrugging off his jacket and handing it to our ancient butler.
Richard's face flushed with anger. "You finally decided to grace us with your presence!"
Gabriel glanced around the room, taking in the scene with cool detachment.
Margaret surged forward, her finger jabbing at Gabriel's chest. "You! You put my son in the hospital!"
Gabriel raised an eyebrow. "Mrs. Anderson, your son was drunk in public, harassing a woman who has repeatedly told him their relationship is over."
"Chase was upset!" she protested. "Anyone would be emotional after being cheated on!"
"Cheated on?" Gabriel let out a cold laugh that made everyone in the room stiffen. "Your son has been sleeping with multiple women throughout his engagement to Luna. One of them is even pregnant with his child."
Margaret gasped, a hand flying to her throat. "You!"
Mom tried to intervene. "Everyone, please calm down—"
"Calm down?" Margaret shrieked, rounding on her. "Your son beat mine and now he's spreading vicious lies!"
Gabriel's face hardened. "Luna is my woman. She always has been."
The room fell silent.
"The man you raised," Gabriel continued, his voice like ice, "tried to force himself on a woman who clearly wasn't interested. I simply gave him a permanent reminder to keep his hands to himself."
"Are you out of your mind?" Richard thundered. "Love has made you reckless!"
Gabriel shrugged. "Call it what you want. But Chase Anderson will never touch Luna again."
Margaret looked ready to collapse, and William quickly moved to support her. "This is outrageous," he sputtered.
"I've arranged for a top medical team in Switzerland to treat Chase's injuries," Gabriel said. "In return, he leaves Vale. Permanently."
Margaret's eyes widened. "Leave Vale? But our family has been here for generations! Our business—"
"Is easily relocated," Gabriel cut in. "Or perhaps you'd prefer your entire family leave Vale instead? I'm flexible."
The cold calculation in his voice sent a chill through the room. This wasn't my brother being emotional—this was the ruthless businessman in action.
William and Margaret exchanged a look. "We'll send Chase to Switzerland," William conceded.
Gabriel nodded. "I'll have my team make the arrangements. Our butler will show you out."
The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife as the Andersons were escorted out. I lingered on the stairs, knowing the family drama was far from over.
Sure enough, as soon as the front door closed, Richard turned on Gabriel. "What the hell is going on between you and that Gray woman?"
Gabriel met our grandfather's gaze without flinching. "Her name is Luna Gray, and she's the woman I'm going to marry."
Mom made a choking sound. "Gabriel, be reasonable! There are several suitable young ladies from respectable families who would—"
"She's marrying me, not the Ashford family," Gabriel interrupted coldly.
My father, who had remained silent through most of the confrontation, finally spoke. "We've already selected an appropriate match for you—"
"Then let one of the other Ashford men marry her," Gabriel shot back, giving me a wink that made me want to punch him. "The family has more than one eligible bachelor."
"This discussion isn't over," Richard warned as Gabriel headed for the door.
"It is for tonight," Gabriel replied, then left.
Back in my room, my phone buzzed. A text from Gabriel: Keep an eye on things at home. Let me know if they pull any shit about Luna.
I texted back a thumbs-up, grinning. Nice handling the Andersons, by the way.