Anne was terrified. She stood there, frozen, not being able to comprehend. Frank had never ever said even a harsh word to our son, but he hit him.
If one had looked, they could see the helplessness in Frank's eyes. His heart ached, but he had to act stern. "Behave yourself, Zack! I've taught you to be respectful and be kind..."
Anger gripped Zack's mind like a plier. He pointed his finger at Frank, eyes glaring, "I hate you! I will never forgive you!" he yelled and stormed out of the room.
Those words punched heavily at Frank's aching heart. He loved his son, but he had to continue the show. He soon calmed down and apologized to the crowd, "Please forgive Zack's immaturity. I shall give him a good talking to."
***
In the VIP room at the hotel, a few gentlemen in smart attire were watching the live stream of the conference, enjoying the twists and turns.
James Kingsley commented approvingly, "Not a bad show at all. Glad I canceled my appointment and will not miss this."
Patrick Burton sipped his wine and remarked casually, "Ha, who would have thought? These people are sick." He paused for a bit, then ventured on, "By the way, Spencer and Steve, why did you two get involved?"
These two normally place their own interest above everything else. What they did this time was definitely abnormal. To find out the reason why was the main reason Patrick joined them today.
Steve chuckled playfully. "It's fun. Why not?"
It is a smart move. Everything has been recorded. From now on, the Carters will be closely watched by the media.
Of course, Patrick knew that wasn't the reason, but he didn't pursue and turned to Spencer instead. "What about you, Spencer?"
Spencer was watching Nathalia attentively as he answered indifferently, "I have time to kill anyway."
Steve, Patrick, and James looked at one another and rolled their eyes understandingly. They knew it was pretty much impossible to hear Spencer tell his true feelings.
Patrick watched Spencer for a little while and questioned, "Hey, Spencer, do you actually pity the girl? This is not like you."
Spencer had been known as cold and stern to strangers. He rarely showed sympathy for others. However, he volunteered to help this time, which his friends found very puzzling.
Could the rumor be true?
It's unlikely.
The two of them are totally different. They are from two different planets!
"Pity?" Spencer replied with an ironic smile. "You think she needs anyone's pity?"
She looks like a meek little lamb but is, in fact, a calculating fox. She's in charge of the game. He thought.
Steve cast a glance at Spencer's uncertainty and asked, "You sure we should just leave it?"
Somehow, Steve felt sorry for Nathalia and had the urge to help her.
Spencer replied indifferently, "Yeah. She doesn't need help."
She knows what she's doing. She doesn't need others to stand up for her. Spencer felt somehow disappointed as he thought so.
None of the reporters was convinced by Frank's promise. The conference had backfired and confirmed that the Carters were guilty of bullying Nathalia.
The smiling face vanished on Frank's face as soon as the reporters left. Sullenly, he demanded, "Find out who that reporter is, who he works for. Talk to all the bosses, managers of the media today. Stop them from covering today's conference. Tell them the Carters will reward them."
"Yes." His secretary said briefly, too scared to even look at his fuming boss.
Glancing around the mess in the room, Frank felt defeated and worried. He let out a sigh, long and deep.
"Honey, let's go home first, and we will think about what to do." Anne pleaded.
Zack had been escorted home by the bodyguards. When he saw his parents coming in, he turned his back at them to ignore them. Anne tried to sweet-talk him to calm down and forgive them but failed.
Frank joined in. He apologized, pleaded, persuaded, and promised whatever Zack wished would be granted. Though still upset and angry, Zack turned to look at them to suggest a compromise.
Dr. Martin was bewildered to see both Anne and Zack beaten, but he dared not utter a word. It was the older daughter that got beaten just a couple of weeks ago, and now it's their turn? What's wrong with this family?
Frank was told that it was merely bruises and minor cuts, but he insisted the doctor check again thoroughly and had him stay just in case.
Though it was unnecessary, Dr. Martin obeyed. He cleaned the cuts carefully, scared of making any mistakes as Frank watched tensely. When he had finished, he took a look at Nathalia, who sat by Zack worriedly, and made his exit. What a contrast! When his older daughter was injured, he didn't even ask how she was. Now that it's his wife and son, he's sick worrying. I wonder how the poor girl feels. Dr. Martin thought sympathetically.
Nathalia acted like a truly concerned and caring daughter and sister, asking if there was anything she could do and helped to bring tea and that before she excused herself back to her room.
Deep down, she felt a tremendous triumph.
As I've promised myself, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Your reputation is now destroyed, as well as your daughter and sons.
Zack grew impatient and covered himself with the blanket as he yelled, "Get out! Get out of my room."
Anne sighed sadly, looked at Frank, and shook her head. They went back to their room, heavy-hearted.
"Honey, why did you hit our boy? You know what he's like. How can he take it? Especially at his age now..."
What if he doesn't forgive me? Frank was concerned.
"Sweetheart, I understand, but what else could I do? Everyone's watching."
I had to stop him from saying more nonsense. The media is not to mess up with. He's going to take over the company in the future.
If he had a choice, he would rather get slapped than hit his son. His heart ached whenever he thought about the slap he gave his son, his only son.
Anne understood Frank didn't have a choice, but she knew their son would not think so. Again, she sighed helplessly. Her head was aching terribly, but she still had to comfort her daughter, Evette.
Frank stayed in his room, walking up and down, deep in thought. Then he opened the door and walked to Nathalia's room.