Rush

Chapter 17

In Hotcaster, It was rumored that Alicia Mayer was timid and incompetent member of the Mayer family, without any real standing. That was exactly why Ashley felt bold enough to humiliate Alicia in front of everyone. But nobody expected Alicia to go ballistic in such a terrifying way.

Ashley was absolutely petrified, screaming, “Alicia Mayer, you maniac, what the heck are you doing? Get that away from me! Why is everyone just standing there? Dalton, help me!”

Dalton was leisurely swirling his glass of red wine, his piercing gaze settling on Alicia. He hadn’t anticipated her fighting back. “Enough with the scene. Head back to your room,” Dalton said nonchalantly, after taking a sip of his wine.

Alicia turned to Dalton with icy eyes that were slightly red, a clear sign she had been crying. “Next time, if you dare to mention my mother again, I will end you!” Alicia warned Ashley and released her grip on the vase.

The noise made everyone’s heart skip a beat.

Alicia stormed upstairs and slammed her room door behind her with a thunderous “BANG.”

The rules at the Slater residence were strict; Dalton didn’t appreciate loud disturbances, which was why, aside from Lillian, there were no other servants around.

Today was Ashley’s birthday celebration, and nobody dared to even play music. To defy Dalton in his own house, slamming doors like that–everyone thought Alicia must have lost her mind or had

a death wish. They exchanged nervous glances, stealthily watching Dalton’s reactio

That vase Alicia had shattered was worth a fortune; she destroyed it without a second thought, and yet, Dalton stayed calm, swirling his wine, unfazed. But with this incident, the birthday party was definitely over.

“I heard today is Alicia’s mother’s memorial day. Ashley, you shouldn’t have said what you did. about her mother,” someone from the tech industry, who knew a bit about the Mayer family, said, breaking the uneasy silence.

Ashley, still trembling and clutching her wounded neck, was filled with a cold rage after that humiliating defeat. As the daughter of the CEO of the Langley Group, she was new to this game. She was furious, yet frightened of provoking Dalton further. “I’m sorry, Dalton. I didn’t mean to- I… I just care about you too much, and the thought of her marrying you made me lose my temper. I swear it won’t happen again,” Ashley said, sounding pitiful in her apology.

Dalton didn’t even look at her. He lifted his glass of red wine toward Ashley and said in a deep. smooth voice, “Happy Birthday.”

Ashley’s checks flushed with excitement and embarrassment. She reached for the glass. “Thank you, Dal-”

The sound of breaking glass was sudden and loud. Just as Ashley’s hand was about to touch the glass, it slipped from Dalton’s grasp and shattered on the floor. “Even if you’re disciplining a dog.

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id thick whim the owner is first. Dalton sa, adjusting his golden cufflinks with his long

Allein is untouchable. Even if she were just

fotre was casual but carried a clear wart

in the later family, it’s not for others to bully

Ashley felt utterly humiliated. Her fists clenched. “But you’re going to divorce her soon. By then,

on’t even count as a dog of the Slater family!”

Dalton’s gaze suddenly pinned her. His voice turned icy. “Even if it’s something I discarded, it doesn’t give anyone else the right to lay the finger on it.”

The room’s atmosphere became tense. “Mr. Slater, Ms. Langley’s neck is injured from the vase shard–it could lead to tetanus. Maybe we should take her to the hospital first,” suggested the man seated beside Dalton, trying to diffuse the situation. He gave a look to the bodyguard after he spoke.

The bodyguard stepped forward, intending to escort Ashley away, but she was choked with emotion, her pride deeply hurt. She turned to Dalton, hope in her eyes. “Dalton, will you take me?” She bet if Dalton would take her to the hospital personally, and then everyone would not talk about tonight’s chaos once again.

A hint of amusement showed on Dalton’s thin lips. “Don’t you have legs?”

The room fell silent until a few couldn’t help but snicker.

“Dalton’s just recovered; he must be tired. Ashley, I’ll take you to the hospital,” offered the man who had tried smoothing things over earlier.

Ashley, heartbroken but left with no choice, her eyes welling with tears, conceded, “Okay.” She was led away, and the rest of the guests quickly followed suit, leaving the party.

Once the guests were gone, Lillian came over to start cleaning up the glass from the carpet.

Dalton cast a casual glance upstairs, his eyes lingering for a moment on the wine–stained carpet, and then he murmured, “Lillian, I suddenly crave your chicken pasta. Could you make me a bowl?” “Of course, sir,” Lillian replied.