C1 Punishment!

"Take the fall?"

Duane's brow furrowed as he gazed at the matriarch, sitting with rigid propriety in the grand hall.

With a measured sip of her tea, the old lady spoke with a detached air, "This touches upon the Xavier family's honor. Therefore, Melvin's mistake will be yours to shoulder. Rest assured, you'll be out of prison in just a few years. You're young; time is on your side."

"Why should I?" Duane protested. "Melvin is even younger than I am by two years!"

"You're despicable!"

His uncle, standing nearby, interjected with a cold voice, "Do you think you're in any position to compare yourself to Melvin?"

"This is an opportunity for you to prove your worth. You became the Xavier family's son-in-law for money, didn't you? Serve a few years in prison, and we'll compensate you with two hundred thousand dollars."

The hall erupted with the clamor of relatives.

Duane sneered, inwardly condemning their selfishness.

He had entered the Xavier family by marrying the third son, Austin, three years prior. Treated with disdain by all, he was the family's underdog.

And now, they expected him to bear the guilt!

Just yesterday, Melvin, the youngest son of the Xavier family's fourth uncle, had drugged a girl at a bar and committed a grievous act. When the girl regained consciousness and reported to the police, she couldn't identify her assailant.

Fearing the scandal that would ensue if the truth came to light, the Xavier family hastily convened, deciding that Duane should confess in Melvin's stead.

Two hundred thousand dollars might seem a generous offer.

But Duane's marriage into the Xavier family wasn't for financial gain—it was for Lavinia.

That winter, when he was five and the chill cut to the bone, he was a street urchin on the brink of death. It was Lavinia who offered him a piece of bread, a gesture that saved his life. He vowed then to repay her kindness once he made his fortune.

For three years, he endured a life akin to that of a dog, burdened with all the household chores and subjected to constant humiliation. Once, for serving a meal that was slightly too salty, he received a slap from his mother-in-law.

Even Lavinia looked down on him, their nights spent apart.

Yet, as long as he remained by her side, he found contentment.

In his heart, not even a mountain of gold could compare to her worth!

"I disagree."

Duane stated coolly.

If he ended up in prison, how would he ever protect her?

"Are you trying to extort me?"

"You're clueless about what's best for you!"

The crowd erupted in uproar.

Lavinia couldn't hold back any longer, her eyes red and swollen. "Enough! Shut up!"

She might not have held Duane in high regard, but he was her husband, at least in name. His humiliation was a direct affront to her.

"Lavinia, how can you speak to your elders that way?" her uncle scolded, his brow furrowed.

"Have you forgotten your own last name?" her second uncle chimed in.

Then, Melvin, cigarette dangling from his lips, strolled into the lobby and announced, "Grandma, if he won't agree, I've got another plan. We can call on Young Master Ludlow for help."

"Young Master Ludlow? From the Ludlow Group?" The room buzzed with surprise, the old lady included.

"Absolutely!"

Melvin tilted his head back with a smug look, "Just yesterday, I shared a few drinks with Young Master Ludlow. He thinks highly of me and even hinted at a future collaboration!"

A hush fell over the hall as everyone absorbed the news in astonishment.

The Ludlow Group was a household name in Fayedge, one of the city's three major families, a league beyond the Xavier family. To them, the Ludlow Group was the epitome of high society!

"But Young Master Ludlow has his eye on Sister Lavinia. All she needs to do is divorce and marry Young Master Ludlow, and all will be well."

Melvin continued.

At this revelation, all eyes swiveled back to Lavinia.

Her mother, Jolene, was visibly thrilled.

Marrying into the Ludlow family was an honor beyond measure.

What an incredible opportunity!

She had long wished for Duane to be ousted from the Xavier family. The old granny, however, had been concerned about the family's image and had not agreed.

Now, the grandmother's gaze was alive with barely contained excitement.

After a moment of stunned silence, she rose to her feet and slammed her hand on the table, declaring loudly, "Lavinia will divorce and marry Young Master Ludlow. That settles it!"

Clearly, she wasn't about to pass up this chance.

With Young Master Ludlow's network, the Xavier family could finally join the ranks of the elite.

As for Duane, he was nothing but a nobody. No one gave him a second thought.

"Right, that settles it!"

The others cheered with excitement, lauding Melvin for his connection to Young Master Ludlow.

"Lavinia, you really owe Melvin a big thank you."

The grandmother beamed with pride over her tea, looking every bit the lady of high society.

Lavinia's brow furrowed. She shook her head, "No, I disagree."

"You disagree?" The room turned to her in surprise.

"Surely you've heard of Young Master Ludlow's reputation. He's not just a womanizer; he's left many women sick," Lavinia stated.

"That could be those women's fault!" her uncle retorted.

"Exactly! Who's to say Young Master Ludlow is to blame? Perhaps they're just after his money!"

As Lavinia listened to their attempts at persuasion, she felt a coldness wash over her. Clenching her teeth, she insisted, "Grandma, if Duane hadn't come to marry me three years ago, I might not even be alive today. I can't betray him like this."

"Insolent girl!"

The grandmother erupted in anger, slamming her hand on the table, "Are you suggesting I'm in the wrong?"

"That's exactly her point!"

Melvin stirred the pot from the sidelines, "Lavinia, you're so focused on repaying a debt of gratitude, but what about Grandma? Without her, where would your Third Uncle be? Without him, where would you be? Your very life is a gift from Grandma."

"Indeed, Melvin knows best," the others chimed in.

The grandmother gazed at Melvin, clearly impressed. Then, addressing the crowd, she declared, "Enough! This meeting is over!"

"Grandma!"

Lavinia tried to protest, but the grandmother had already risen and retreated to the inner room, utterly indifferent to Lavinia's plea.

The others continued to urge her to prioritize the greater good, to consider the family's future.

Tears streamed down Lavinia's face.

She cried like a forsaken child, her sobs tugging at the heartstrings.

Duane's heart swelled with a mix of tenderness and fury. Gently, he reached out to wipe away the tears on her face. With furrowed brows, he spoke deliberately, "Honey, rest assured, I won't let anyone hurt you!"

With those words, he turned and strode out of the room.

Lavinia stood there, dumbfounded.

In that instant, she sensed a stark difference in Duane; he seemed nothing like his usual, meek self. It was as though he had transformed into someone else entirely.

Stepping outside, Duane pulled out a cigarette and lit it. He inhaled deeply, then took out his phone to call a number he had long avoided.

"Young lord, is that really you? Oh, thank goodness! I've been waiting for your call for so long, my hair's turned white," an elderly voice cried out, choked with emotion, from the other end.

Duane replied coolly, "I'm prepared to take over the family's billions, but on one condition."