CHAPTER 218: CHAPTER 218: REDIRECTING CALAMITY EASTWARD

"This matter involves murder, Miss Sinclair, you should think carefully before you speak."

Juliana Jacobs stepped forward slowly, her voice gentle, yet each word pierced Florence Sinclair’s ears.

"It’s strange, really. The venomous snake that bit me was an exotic species, and there wasn’t even a single vial of antivenom in all of Kenton. But the one that bit Miss Sinclair, although highly venomous, has antivenom readily available at hospitals. The person who set loose the snake sure is a double standard."

Florence Sinclair was so stunned by her words that her spine went cold.

The insinuation in Juliana Jacobs’ words was that Florence Sinclair had orchestrated a "self-inflicted hardship" for sympathy.

If she could think of this, Elias Langley must surely have similar suspicions.

Florence instinctively glanced toward the window.

Since Elias Langley entered the room, he hadn’t said a word; under normal circumstances, he would have already shown concern for her.

All signs indicate that he is indeed suspicious of her.

If he investigates thoroughly... Florence is not confident she could hide it from him.

All these thoughts passed in an instant, and Florence had already made up her mind.

Tears welled up, and she weakly looked at Victor Langley. "It’s not anyone’s fault... it’s my own carelessness. Before sleeping... Mrs. Langley specifically came to remind me that snakes might roam around and that I should check my room before sleeping... but I was too tired and thought it impossible for such a thing to be in the room, so I didn’t take it to heart... Who knew, it actually happened..."

Her words seemed self-reproaching, yet it was like a bolt of lightning striking down on Leona Sheridan.

Why would Leona Sheridan "predict the future" and remind her to check the bedroom?

Naturally, it was because...

Everyone turned their gazes to her in unison.

Especially Victor Langley, whose temples throbbed with a bulging vein.

"It seems I’ve indulged you too much, allowing you to bring a snake into the house, making one plan fail, and then plotting another to frame someone else. Do you think you’re worthy of being the matriarch of the Langley Family? Jared..."

He looked at his son. "I intend to ground her this time. Are you going to stop me?"

Jared Langley frowned, unable to find a reason to defend his mother, and could only choose silence.

"Victor, how can you so easily believe an outsider’s words?" Leona Sheridan said.

Victor Langley looked at her with disdain. "I’m not blindly trusting outsiders. I believe that with your character, you’d absolutely do such a thing."

Leona Sheridan felt hurt by his words.

"What, now that the Langley Family is securely the top family in Kenton, you’re so arrogant? If it weren’t for the Sheridan Family back then, who knows where you’d be begging now!"

"Leona Sheridan!" Victor Langley’s eyes burned with rage. "These years, the Langley Family has met every demand of the Sheridan Family; we’ve been more than fair to you. What more do you want? Do you want the entire Langley Family to take your surname before you’re satisfied?"

Leona Sheridan rushed in front of him. "You’ve gotten your wings and now disregard the Sheridan Family. You..."

Suddenly, she caught a scent on her husband that didn’t belong to him, and her shouting halted abruptly.

Her nose twitched, and she suddenly grabbed his arm with a twisted expression.

"Why do you have the scent of women’s perfume on you? Who were you with last night?"

Victor Langley’s eyes flashed coldly as he shook off her hand and commanded the guards at the door in a somber tone, "The madam has lost her mind. Take her back to the Langley Residence. Without my permission, no one is allowed to visit, and she is not to step out of her room by even a step!"

"Fine, you dare confine me, you all have a death wish, let go of me! Langley, you’ll regret this..."

"Gag her, don’t let her embarrass the Langley Family," Victor Langley said.

"Dad, don’t treat Mom like this," Jared Langley said.

But Leona Sheridan was dragged away with her mouth taped shut.

Jared barely gave Juliana a glance, worried that the guards might harm his mother without restraint, hurriedly chased after them.

Victor Langley, calming his breath, turned to Florence with a courteous and polite demeanor once again.

"It’s my lack of discipline that made you laugh. I promise to investigate this matter thoroughly. If it truly is her doing, I will not be lenient."

Florence Sinclair knew well that he intended to keep the peace.

In fact, Leona Sheridan was wrongfully accused, and Florence didn’t want to blow things out of proportion.

So, Florence generously said, "Actually, I’m fine. Mrs. Langley just made a muddled mistake. You’ve been together for nearly thirty years, don’t ruin the harmony over this. I won’t tell Grandpa."

Victor Langley looked moved. "You’re a good girl; how I wish you didn’t have a boyfriend."

Having said that, he glanced at Elias Langley.

The ever-observing Elias Langley sneered, making his brother’s intent to set him up clear.

"If Big Brother can discern right from wrong and not wrongfully accuse a good person, it shows you’ve still got it. If truly interested in the Sinclair Family, you can marry a second wife; after all, Sister-in-law is a ’feudal enlightened’ person."

Having said that, not bothering to look at Victor Langley’s stupefied expression, he strode out of the hospital room.

Juliana Jacobs turned to Victor Langley. "Chairman Langley, can I leave now?"

Victor Langley, angered by his brother’s words, showed no kindness to Juliana.

"Go ahead. The Langley Family is at a tumultuous time; better behave yourself."

Juliana arched her lips. "If the young master’s illness is cured by tomorrow, I’ll leave tomorrow."

Having said that, she left without looking back.

"One after another, speaking such nonsense," Victor Langley said in displeasure.

A gleam flashed in Florence Sinclair’s eyes.

"My brother-in-law is excellent, and there are many temptations outside. If Chairman Langley truly wants to keep the Sinclair Family tightly bound, then marrying a plaque won’t suffice."

Victor Langley looked at her, seemingly trying to gauge her intent.

Surprisingly, Florence spoke directly: "Lately, my parents have been considering Isabelle’s marriage. Marrying a plaque is just a formality and does not legally bind him. Chairman Langley is a forward-thinking person; I won’t say more."

Victor Langley’s eyes flickered, a flash of understanding crossing his gaze, quickly adding arranging Elias Langley and Isabelle Sinclair’s marriage to his plans.

Juliana Jacobs reached the hospital entrance.

A Red Flag car approached.

The back door opened, and she got in.

Elias Langley, seeing her displeasure, reached out and pulled her onto his lap.

"You’ve redirected the disaster; aren’t you happy?"

Juliana wrapped her arms around his neck, playing with the prickly short hair on the back of his head.

"You’re an innocent person, yet without even an apology, you rush to fawn over those in higher positions. The Langley Family’s principles are apparently measuring worth in conduct."

Elias Langley chuckled, his knuckles brushing her cheek.

"The Langley Family is the Langley Family, and I am me. Langley to me is just a surname, lacking the meaning of a family."

He grew up as a backup for the family bloodline, in a corner neglected of affection, so naturally lacks any warmth towards the Langley Family.

Juliana was silent for a moment, seriously looking at him as she asked the question that had long lingered.

"If... both the Langley and Sinclair Families are uneasy about binding you with a plaque, can you resist?"

Elias Langley’s fingers ran through her hair, caressing the scab on the back of her head, his gaze misty and enigmatic.

"Rest assured, for every obstacle they set, I’ll clear it. No one can harm you in the slightest."

Juliana pushed him. "You misunderstood, I wasn’t worried about affecting me."

Elias Langley looked deeply at her, without speaking.

...

Previously, Leona Sheridan was stripped of the procession that followed her each time she went out.

This time, she completely lost her freedom.

She grabbed her son’s hand, crying her heart out.

"Jared, you must trust Mom! This time, it’s absolutely that wicked Juliana Jacobs! She hates me and wants to destroy our family! And your father has another woman outside again. I can’t just be locked up like this, can’t let anyone take your position as heir."

Jared looked at his mother’s weeping and disheveled state, and though he didn’t truly believe it was Juliana’s doing, he and his mother shared common interests. Protecting his mother meant protecting his position in the Langley Family.

So, he said, "Mom, you stay here for now, I’ll go and handle it."

Leaving the guard-patrolled bedroom, he happened to see Juliana about to return to her room.

Jared quickly stepped forward to prevent her from opening the door.

"Do you have something to say?" Juliana asked.

Jared hesitated for two seconds before speaking. "You go to my father and admit that you set the snakes loose. I promise, I’ll plead for you and won’t let you suffer too much grievance."