Chapter 92 Punishment
Simon's heart plummeted, a terrible foreboding washing over him.
He picked up the file and opened it, his face instantly turning ashen.
Inside were detailed records of Clara drugging Charles at the Celestial Heights Hotel—surveillance footage, witness statements from hotel staff, everything meticulously documented.
"This... This can't be possible!"
Simon's hands trembled as the file scattered to the floor. He scrambled to gather the papers, his voice shaking, "Mr. Windsor, there must be some misunderstanding! Clara adores you. How could she possibly do something like this?"
Charles let out a cold laugh, advancing toward Simon step by deliberate step, each footfall like a hammer blow to Simon's chest.
"Her adoration means drugging me? Trying to destroy me?"
Simon stumbled backward, seeing the ruthless glint in Charles's eyes. His legs went weak, all his former confidence crumbling. "Mr. Windsor, I'm sorry! I failed to control Clara properly! I'll go back, discipline her immediately, and make her apologize to you!"
"You think an apology is enough? Simon, I've lived thirty years, and no one has dared scheme against me like this."
Simon dropped to his knees, clutching desperately at Charles's pants legs. "Mr. Windsor, please! For the sake of our families' past relationship, give Clara one more chance! She's young and foolish. I'll make sure she never appears before you again!"
Charles kicked his hands away in disgust. "Past relationship? What relationship could the Johnson family possibly have with the Windsor family? Go home and control Clara. If there's a next time, don't blame me for taking action against the entire Johnson family. And I mean the whole family, not just Mirage Fashion. I'll make sure the Johnson family disappears from Emerald City completely."
Simon remained prostrate on the floor, cold sweat soaking through his shirt. He knew Charles meant every word. With the Windsor family's power, destroying the Johnson family would be child's play.
He didn't dare breathe too loudly, only nodding frantically, "Yes, yes, Mr. Windsor! I understand! I'll discipline Clara properly. She'll never trouble you again!"
Charles didn't even glance at him, returning to his desk and picking up his phone. "Have someone escort Mr. Johnson out."
Nathan entered, looking at Simon sprawled on the floor without a trace of sympathy.
He approached and spoke coldly, "Mr. Johnson, this way please."
Simon slowly pulled himself up, straightening his wrinkled suit before following Nathan out in complete humiliation.
Not only had he failed to secure any cooperation, he'd nearly brought destruction upon the Johnson family. He'd have to deal with Clara severely; she could never anger Charles again.
In the office, Charles watched Simon's pathetic retreat with complete indifference.
He picked up his phone and sent Emily a message: [What would you like for dinner? I'll cook when I get home.]
The screen lit up with Emily's swift reply: [Drop dead.]
Charles could practically picture Emily's furious expression, and his lips curved into a tender smile. The coldness and cruelty from moments before vanished without a trace.
He put away his phone and returned to work.
When Emily said no, she meant yes.
So he needed to finish quickly and get home early to spend time with Emily and the children.
Meanwhile, Simon arrived back at the Johnson Villa.
The moment he stepped through the front door, he bellowed, "Clara! Get down here now!"
Clara had been upstairs fantasizing about winning back Charles's heart when she heard Simon's furious roar. Her heart skipped a beat—something was definitely wrong.
But as soon as she reached the bottom of the stairs, before she could say a word, Simon charged forward and slapped her across the face. The sharp crack echoed through the empty living room.
Simon was trembling with rage. "Look what you've done! Do you realize you nearly destroyed the entire Johnson family?"
Clara clutched her burning cheek as tears streamed down her face. "Dad, what did I do wrong?"
Simon laughed bitterly, "You dared to drug Charles! Now he's threatened to wipe the Johnson family off the map if there's a next time!"
Clara's face went white as she staggered backward, shaking her head in disbelief, "That's impossible... It can't be! It was just a little drug—how could Charles be so heartless toward me? Someone must have poisoned him against me. It's Emily—it has to be Emily spreading lies!"
"Still making excuses and blaming others!" Simon kicked the nearby coffee table in fury, sending glasses clattering across its surface. "For the sake of our family, you're done with Mirage Fashion! I can see now—you don't have what it takes to run a company! Having a daughter like you is the greatest shame of my life! You're not worth one strand of Emily's hair; at least she knows her place!"
"She knows her place? She had Charles's children before they were even married—what kind of propriety is that?"
Right, Simon'd almost forgotten that Emily had given Charles twins.
What a conniving woman, getting pregnant after sleeping with Charles just once! Those were the Windsor family's first grandchildren of this generation. Emily must be riding high now!
Charles must have learned about the children's parentage. Otherwise, he wouldn't have thrown Clara out so decisively.
Though come to think of it, Charles wasn't much of a man either—what was wrong with having children by multiple women? In high society, having a few illegitimate children was normal.
But Charles was such a rigid thinker. Now that Emily had secured Charles's favor, as Emily's biological father, shouldn't he be able to benefit somehow?
Simon's mind began calculating, and his lips curved slightly.
Clara immediately saw through her father's thoughts, "Dad, have you forgotten about kidnapping their children? Emily cares so much about those kids; if she finds out we orchestrated that kidnapping, do you think she won't ask Charles to destroy us?"
Simon felt like someone had doused him with ice water. But after a moment's thought, he wasn't particularly worried.
Clara had been the one in contact with the kidnappers. What did that have to do with him?
Now that Clara clearly had no remaining value, if he abandoned her in time and told Emily he'd seen the error of his ways, he added a few kind words. Emily was soft-hearted. Wouldn't she forgive him?
With this thought, Simon raised his hand to strike Clara again. Celeste came rushing downstairs, grabbing Simon's arm. "Simon, stop! Clara just made a mistake!"
"A mistake? She nearly destroyed the Johnson family!"