Chapter 70 Lower Your Posture
Amelia looked like she wanted to say something but hesitated. Jeremy spoke up instead: "Don't worry, Ms. Richardson. Mr. Crawford and I are here. You should go take care of that wound first."
Only then did Amelia show a slightly relieved expression and reluctantly left with Jeremy.
That fragile, retreating figure made Janet so angry she was practically fuming.
She had always been the one scheming against others. She never expected that something that couldn't possibly go wrong would have an accident, and she'd fail at the hands of some country bumpkin!
Janet could barely control her rage and shouted: "Don't you leave! Come back here and explain yourself!"
She took a step to chase after them, but Marlon grabbed her and pulled her back.
"Get back here!"
"Dad!" Janet paused, then asked Marlon in disbelief: "Don't tell me even you don't believe me? You'd rather believe that country bumpkin than your own daughter?"
Marlon was about to speak when Samuel walked up to them.
"Mr. Rojas, you need to give me an explanation for this. My woman was bullied by your daughter like this - if word gets out, it damages my dignity."
Marlon's face immediately darkened.
His career had gone smoothly, and this was the first time a young person had confronted him like this.
"You!"
As soon as he spoke, Samuel cut him off: "Never mind my dignity - if this gets out, it won't be good for you either, will it? You're the mayor of Goldenvale. If people outside find out your daughter threatened someone using your name, I'm sure your superiors won't be happy to hear about it either."
Those few simple sentences seemed to grip Marlon by the throat, leaving him speechless.
Samuel might be young.
But he believed Samuel really did have the ability to report this matter to his superiors.
For a moment, his face was extremely dark, but he couldn't squeeze out a single word.
Among those present, there were certainly people trying to please Marlon, like Steven.
But there were even more people wanting to please Samuel.
As soon as Samuel spoke up, people chimed in one after another.
"Marlon, I'm just saying, you really should discipline your daughter better."
"Marlon, we're all respectable people. How can we do things like this over some petty romantic matters?"
Some even flattered Marlon directly.
"Everyone stop. I believe Mr. Rojas is a smart man who won't do foolish things, and certainly won't let his daughter off the hook. Right, Mr. Rojas?"
Marlon's eyes were practically shooting fire.
"You all!"
But the words died on his lips. Looking at all those aggressive, pressing eyes before him, he ultimately swallowed back his curses.
Marlon took a deep breath and looked at Samuel: "So what do you think would be an appropriate way to resolve this?"
"First, of course, Ms. Rojas should apologize."
Janet was so angry veins were practically popping out on her forehead.
"I told you! I really didn't splash coffee on her! So I won't apologize for something I didn't do!"
Samuel raised an eyebrow: "Really? But my fiancée from the countryside is as simple and honest as they come. Usually when she sees an elderly person trying to cross the street, she'll help them across even if she's in a rush. I don't believe someone so pure-hearted could do something like this."
Since Janet had just called Amelia a country girl, Samuel simply went along with it and threw it back at her.
Janet choked, her face turning pale, but she still stubbornly insisted: "I didn't splash coffee on her! With all these people here, would I be crazy enough to splash coffee on her in public?"
Samuel took a step forward: "Is that so?"
"I guarantee on my character that I didn't splash her!"
Samuel smiled coldly.
"Then I'll treat this accident as if it never happened. My fiancée isn't the type to hold onto small matters. However,"
He changed his tone: "Amelia is very devoted to her parents. She might joke about other things, but she would never joke about her father. She said Ms. Rojas threatened her using her father - surely that can't be false? After all, she's a country girl who can't even tell the difference between a town mayor and a city mayor. How would she understand these complicated political matters?"
Janet's spine stiffened, her hands gripping her dress tightly.
But she quickly regained her composure and said: "I didn't threaten her."
However, that moment of stiffness in her expression had already betrayed her true thoughts.
Everyone present, without exception, was experienced in their respective fields.
Janet's change in expression couldn't escape their eyes.
"We can understand that Mr. Rojas is busy with government affairs, but no matter how busy, you need to make time to properly educate your daughter. Mr. Rojas surely understands the principle that trouble comes from the mouth."
Veins bulged on Marlon's forehead.
He ground his back teeth hard and looked at Janet.
"Apologize to Samuel!"
How could Janet possibly swallow her pride?
She said stiffly: "I won't apologize! Amelia is slandering me!"
Wasn't Amelia devoted to her parents?
After she got back, she would definitely "take good care" of Quinton for her.
"I'll say it one more time! Apologize!"
Janet bit her lip, both angry and aggrieved.
"I'm telling the truth. Dad, don't..."
Marlon cut her off: "You won't apologize? Fine! I'll apologize for you! Failing to educate you properly is my fault. Samuel, for my sake, let's just let this matter go!"
"Dad."
Janet panicked.
Having Marlon apologize for her - she'd rather apologize herself!
But Marlon pulled her close, not letting her continue speaking.
"Samuel, I'll pay ten times Ms. Richardson's medical expenses, and also compensate her for emotional distress. I'll personally apologize to her later as well."
Marlon had lowered himself quite a bit.
But Samuel remained unmoved.
"The Richardson family may have gone bankrupt, but with me around, the Richardson family won't lack money. You can keep that money for yourself, Mr. Rojas."
Samuel wouldn't accept his way of apologizing, and Marlon's face grew even darker.
But he had no other options.
He was newly appointed, his position not yet secure - he absolutely couldn't risk offending Samuel.
"Then what do you want before you'll let this go? Do you want me to bow to her?"
"Dad."
"Shut up! Haven't you caused enough trouble already?"
Janet's throat tightened, and she could only stay quiet.
Samuel smiled slightly.
"You're being too harsh on yourself, Mr. Rojas. How could I make you bow to Amelia? People would say she's arrogant and domineering."
Marlon's face darkened as he asked: "Then what exactly do you want us to do?"
Samuel raised an eyebrow: "It's simple. Amelia doesn't care about her own injury at all. What she cares about is the safety of her biological father."
"I think after what happened today, whether it's to put Amelia's mind at ease or for the sake of your own reputation, Mr. Rojas."
"I suggest you withdraw from Quinton's case and leave it entirely to someone else. That would be more appropriate."
"To avoid accidentally giving people something to talk about. What do you think?"