Chapter 172

Chapter 172
Richard's POV

I had just finished an executive meeting when Ethan hurried into my office.

"What is it?" I asked, my voice calmer than usual, but the temperature in the office was already beginning to drop.

Ethan reported Elena's latest movements. "Then I had someone follow her. After Jason brought Elena back to his temporary residence, not long after, he actually... brought those two children over as well, and then took her to the Wells Manor."

I felt a chill spread down my spine.

My voice was so cold I barely recognized it myself. "What is he taking her there for?"

Ethan was sweating profusely under my dominant pressure, instinctively lowering his head. "Didn't you say she appeared this time for the children? If she's going to see Ms. Wells, might she be discussing something related to the children?"

"Also, some time ago, Kathy contacted Mason after Lily was injured. Could Mason have told Elena about this, which is why she came back?"

"Now that she's gone to find Ms. Wells, could she be seeking revenge?" Ethan continued to speculate.

The more he spoke, the angrier I felt. "She's getting bolder and bolder."


Elena's POV

Walter's accusatory tone cut through the courtyard like a knife.

I took a deep breath, trying to maintain my composure. "I'm only thinking about what would be best for everyone. Your daughter and Richard are getting married soon. They'll have their own children someday. Do you really think they'll have time to properly care for my two children?"

Walter's face darkened. "Ms. Winter, do you understand what you're suggesting? If you convince my daughter to ask Richard to give up those children, do you know how that would look? Richard would think Emma can't accept his children! That's an extremely serious accusation in our circles!"

I fell silent, the anger inside me building like a pressure cooker.

Isn't his daughter already a dangerous person? She hasn't even officially married into the Blackwood family, and she's already beaten Lily like this.

My jaw clenched so tight I could hear my teeth grinding. "Mr. Wells, would you like to call Emma over and ask her directly? Perhaps she actually agrees with me."

This suggestion seemed to trigger something in Walter. His face flushed red with embarrassment and rage. He snapped his fingers, signaling to the family security guards standing by the doorway.

"Get her out of here!" he barked.

Just as I was about to be escorted out, Emma walked into the courtyard.

"Elena, why are you here?" she asked.

I turned to her, my anger instantly finding a new target. "I'm here for justice for my son!!"

"Justice?" she laughed incredulously. "What justice? Have you lost your mind? Coming to my home and making threats for no reason?"

I could no longer control my emotions. "Lily is only six years old, and you beat her like that."

Emma's face showed shock. "What nonsense are you spouting? When did I ever hurt Lily?"

"I already have evidence," I said trembling, my anger almost suffocating me. "Today, if you agree, fine. If not, don't blame me for submitting the evidence to the police and ruining your wedding!"

I saw Emma's expression suddenly change, her eyes darkening dangerously. "What did you say? Say that again?"

Her eyes flashed with dangerous light. I instinctively took a step back, but it was too late. Emma quickly moved forward and delivered a vicious slap across my face.

SLAP!

Pain immediately exploded on my cheek.

"You dare threaten to stop my wedding?" Her face contorted with anger, becoming grotesquely frightening. "Wasn't it because of you that our engagement ceremony failed?"

Emma's slap burned on my cheek, but the physical pain was nothing compared to the shock of seeing this woman's twisted expression before me.

When had she become like this? She used to be free-spirited, focused only on her academic field. But now she had transformed into someone so twisted and domineering.

Before I could react, Jason erupted beside me.

"Damn it!" he roared.

In one fluid motion, Jason delivered a powerful kick that sent Emma flying. She crashed hard onto the floor, her designer dress splaying around her.

The courtyard erupted into chaos. Emma's mother screamed, servants rushed forward, and security guards moved toward us.

"Richard? Richard, you're here?" Emma's mother suddenly called out. "Quick, look at what these people are doing in our home!"

I turned around, my heart dropping like a stone. No. This will make him even angrier.

Richard stood at the entrance to the courtyard, his tall figure casting a long shadow. As he took in the scene, the air around him seemed to drop several degrees.

"What are you doing?" Richard's voice was dangerously quiet as he addressed Jason.

Jason's previous confidence evaporated. "I... I didn't mean to hurt her," he stammered. "She attacked Elena first!"

I looked at Richard, my eyes filled with the pain of betrayal. My heart ached with a physical pain that seemed to radiate through my entire body.

Richard's cold gaze swept over my face without the slightest pause, as if looking at a complete stranger. He walked past me without a word and knelt beside Emma.

"How are you? Are you badly hurt?" he asked her, his voice calm.

Those words stabbed into my heart like a knife. I felt all strength drain from my body, my voice involuntarily becoming weak: "Let's go, Jason."

"Leave? Where do you think you're going?" Emma questioned Richard from the floor, her voice full of satisfaction. "Richard, what are you doing? She's about to walk away and you're not even reacting?"

I felt the color completely drain from my face, the pain of betrayal almost making me unable to stand.

"That's right, Richard," Emma's mother followed up with accusation, her voice sharp and piercing. "What's wrong with you? You're not still trying to protect her, are you?"

"You're overthinking," Richard replied coldly, his voice nearly breaking my heart. "I'm simply considering what would be the most appropriate way to deal with her."

Satisfaction flashed across their faces. My heart turned ice cold.

"Since she was trying to convince Emma to make you give up the two children," Walter suggested, "why don't you just take her to the police station?"

"Richard," Emma chimed in, "if she has these thoughts, we should take preventive measures. What if she takes the children away?"

I felt an unprecedented anger rise from deep within me. The children are my flesh and blood, my life, and someone actually said such things! I was furious to the extreme, letting out a low, cold laugh, dangerous light flashing in my eyes.

Jason couldn't take it anymore and exclaimed emotionally: "Have you all gone insane? The children are her flesh and blood! What do you mean by 'taking them away'? That's a mother's right!"


Emma's POV

The tension in the courtyard had reached its limit.

Richard sensed this. His perfect control finally manifested.

"Enough!"

His command was like a physical shock wave, instantly enveloping the entire courtyard. Forcing everyone to be quiet immediately.

"I will handle this matter as I see fit. Everyone be quiet!" His voice was deep and powerful, allowing no objection.

I saw him nod to two bodyguards at the door, who immediately came forward to escort Elena and Jason out.

"What are you going to do with her?" I couldn't help but ask, my voice tinged with anxiety.

Richard turned to me, those deep eyes looking at me, but somehow, I felt his gaze seemed to pass through me, looking elsewhere.

"You don't need to worry about these matters," he answered calmly, his tone carrying a strange sense of detachment. "I'll deal with it according to the rules. You've been injured—let your parents take you for a check-up."

After saying this, he turned and left the courtyard, leaving behind a suffocating silence.

I stared at his retreating figure, a wave of unease rising in my heart. Although he appeared to be concerned about me and was giving me assurances, for some reason, I felt like he was just placating me.

Because his eyes were too calm, so calm that I doubted his purpose in coming was only to take Elena away.