Chapter 8

As the voice faded, Old Mr. Barron stepped into full view, his commanding presence instantly dominating the room. A single cold glance from him was enough to freeze Margaret Blake and Isabella Knight in place—they didn’t dare take another step. Seeing him up close, Summer Knight’s eyes trembled slightly. In her past life, aside from Alexander, Old Mr. Barron had been the kindest to her. He hadn’t liked her at first—who would, given she had the mind of a six-year-old?—but after she married into the family, he treated her like his own granddaughter. Yet she’d been completely blind back then. She actually helped Isabella and James Carter steal critical documents from Alexander… causing the Barron Empire to collapse overnight and nearly sending Alexander to prison. And after all that, she ran off with James, leaving Old Mr. Barron so enraged he collapsed on the spot, was hospitalized, and soon passed away. Remembering it now—the guilt was almost unbearable. This time, she swore she would not repeat those mistakes. Everything at tonight’s banquet was part of her plan. She was using Isabella to earn Old Mr. Barron’s favor. From now on, she would honor and protect him. “Summer is my granddaughter-in-law. I won’t allow anyone to treat her this way. Apologize. On your knees. Now.” Old Mr. Barron’s cane struck the floor sharply, his voice cold and clear, like a mountain spring cutting through silence. Originally, he’d thought Isabella—beautiful and a medical prodigy—would be the perfect wife to support Alexander when he took over the Barron Empire. But that morning, Alexander had come to him and explained that under the influence of some drug, he’d accidentally been with Summer. And since the Barrons always took responsibility, Old Mr. Barron personally approved the marriage switch with the Knight family. So what if Summer wasn’t all there? She was still a Barron daughter-in-law. Not some punching bag for others to abuse. Tonight, he wasn’t just protecting Summer—he was making a statement. Alexander was not to be challenged. The Knight family? They were the perfect example. Summer could tell Old Mr. Barron was defending her. Her eyes glistened briefly with emotion, but she quickly blinked it away. This kindness—she would remember it. But Isabella couldn’t hold her tongue. Without thinking, she snapped,“I won’t apologize! Why should I kneel to an idiot?!” “Out of line!” Old Mr. Barron struck his cane again, his expression colder than ice. The air itself seemed to freeze. “Charles Knight, is this how your family raises its children?” He narrowed his eyes at Charles. Though his tone was calm, the pressure behind it made Charles sway on his feet, nearly buckling. “M-Mr. Barron… I’m sorry! It’s my fault—I failed to teach her properly. I’ll make sure she apologizes!” He was terrified the Barron family could ruin them overnight. In City Q, if Old Mr. Barron decided to destroy you, he only needed to lift a finger—the whole city would tremble. Without hesitation, Charles turned and slapped his daughter hard across the face. When power was on the line, even his own child came second. “Dad!” Isabella clutched her cheek in disbelief, pain and shock written all over her face as she stared at Charles. Her father, who had never so much as raised his voice at her, had just hit her? “Isabella, kneel and apologize to Summer. Now!”Charles shouted sharply. With all of City Q’s elite watching—including Old Mr. Barron and Alexander—the weight of the moment crushed her. There was no way out. Eyes brimming with unshed tears, Isabella slowly walked over to Summer—the so-called idiot sister she’d always bullied—and dropped to her knees, humiliation burning through her. “I’m sorry, sis. Please forgive me.”The words were forced through gritted teeth. “Too quiet,”Alexander remarked casually, his voice chilling the air. He had already ordered Ethan Hart to wait outside. Once security removed Isabella, she was as good as gone—and no one would ask what happened next. But since his grandfather had stepped in, he’d let it go. For now. When Alexander spoke, Isabella flinched. She glared at him, furious, but the moment their eyes met—the icy sharpness in his gaze made her soul shudder. She looked away instantly, fear swallowing her defiance. She clenched her fists and raised her voice:“I’m sorry, sister! Please forgive me!” Summer laughed coldly inside, then bounced toward Isabella like an excited child. Everyone braced—expecting her to lash out—but instead, she sniffled… and burst into tears. “Waaah… I don’t blame my sister! I love her so much! Even though she made me serve her coffee every day and clean the toilets at home… I never held it against her!” Her dramatic sobbing and pitiful tone instantly shifted the mood. The crowd began murmuring. The way they looked at Isabella and her family changed completely. “They’ve been fooling everyone all this time…” “And this poor girl still forgives them?” It all made sense now—the Knight family had put on a great show of caring for Summer, but behind closed doors, they’d been abusing her. And this “fool” still chose to be kind. “When did I ever—mmph!” Isabella shot up, ready to scream that she never made Summer clean anything, but Margaret quickly slapped a hand over her mouth to stop her from digging a deeper hole. Old Mr. Barron thought of what his steward had reported earlier—realizing this was far from the first time. He slammed his cane onto the marble again, the sound sharp and final. “Get out! Charles Knight, take your wife and second daughter and leave. Now.” He meant it. “Get lost already! You make me sick!”someone from the crowd yelled. Insults flew one after another. All Charles could do was keep his head down and drag a furious Isabella and a panicked Margaret away, tails between their legs. Summer watched them go, utterly satisfied. What a performance. Then—suddenly—she felt someone take her hand. Her eyes widened as she looked down. It was Alexander. Before she could react, he pulled her onto the stage, right in front of everyone. “Summer Knight is my fiancée,”he announced clearly,“and the future lady of the Barron Empire.” “Everything the Barron Empire has—will be shared with her.” Boom. His words landed like thunder. The crowd erupted. Alexander Barron just said he’d share everything… with her? With that “crazy” girl?