Meanwhile, Florence was frantically rummaging through the drawers and
cabinets in the Nicholson Villa to pack up their things.
"Dahlia, quick! Go and get all the jewelry we have in the house! We
can't stay in Swinton anymore. Let's quickly pack up and flee abroad for
the time being. I've already bought the flight tickets. We still have
several million dollars of savings and some valuables at home. Those will
be enough for
us to survive for a while." Florence was on tenterhooks.
Dahlia's breach of promise had not only humiliated the Langfords but
also offended the Glenstead
Nicholsons. Even if they were in Stonia, Dahlia and the rest wouldn't
be able to find a safe place to
stay, let alone in a small place like Swinton.
When Florence saw that Dahlia wasn't responding to her, she became
even more anxious. "Dahlia! What are you waiting for? Quickly pack your
stuff!"
"Mom, the matter has yet to reach that extreme. We don't need to run
away." Dahlia shook her head.
"Alas, don't you realize how serious the current situation is?"
Florence slapped her forehead in frustration. "It's the Langfords, the
cream of Stonia, that we have fallen out with! They are a terrifying
existence. How can they possibly let us go when we Nave gotten them hot
under the collar?"
"I understand what you're trying to say. But Dustin said that he has
a way to solve the problem. I believe in him," Dahlia replied firmly.
"Are you crazy? How can you put your trust in that loser?" Florence
was breathing fire at that point.
"Who does he think he is to go against the Langfords? If it weren't
for him, you wouldn't have run away from the wedding, and we wouldn't
have come to this point. He's simply a jinx!"
The Nicholsons could have led a silk-stocking life. However, Dustin
ruined everything in the end. Florence just hated him to the core.
Dahlia frowned. "Mom! I breached the marriage promise on my own
accord. It has nothing to do. with Dustin!"
"You're still defending him at times like this? Do you have to wait
until our family is destroyed in his hands for you to come to your
senses?" Florence asked bitterly.
"Enough. I won't go anywhere without Dustin." Dahlia was firm.
Bent out of shape, Florence reproached, "Y-you… You're hopeless!"
"How did I raise her up to be such a foolish daughter? She'd rather
be with someone penurious than marry into a rich family. What a stubborn
child!" Florence muttered inwardly.
At that moment, James staggered down the stairs with the two large
suitcases. "Mom, I'm done packing up our things. When are we leaving?"
"Hmph! Your sister is insisting on waiting for that loser!" Florence
flumped onto the couch angrily.
"Sis, why are you waiting for him? Hasn't he made our lives miserable
enough?" James frowned.
"You leave with Mom first. Don't worry about me." Dahlia shook her
head.
"Leave? Where do you think you are going?" Right then, Dakota burst
through the door with several people following behind her. "Are you
trying to shrug off all the responsibilities after what you have done?"
"What are you implying?" Dahlia knitted her brows
"It's natural to be punished for making a mistake. I'll have to hand
you over to the Langfords so that the conflict between the two families
can be resolved!" Dakota declared in a stern voice.
"What?" When Florence heard that, her expression changed in an
instant. She stood up and put on an apologetic smile. "Dakota, you don't
have to be this ruthless, do you? Aren't we family?"
"Ruthless?" Dakota snorted humorlessly. "It wasn't easy to have the
chance to be in-laws with the Langfords. However, not only did you not
cherish this opportunity, but you also dragged the whole family down!
Tell me, who is more ruthless?"
"Dakota, this has nothing to do with my daughter. It was all because
of Dustin. If you need someone to blame, go and look for him!" Florence
said in a hurry.
"You don't have to worry about that. Dustin is with the Langfords.
Perhaps he has already been skinned alive by now. But Dahlia has yet to
make amends for what she did, so she has to come with us!"
As Dakota spoke, she made a gesture. Seconds later several burly
bodyguards barged into the house.