Chapter 82

Ada scanned the message and nearly let out a laugh right then and there.

She weighed her response for a good minute before sending anything back.

"Honestly, Waylon's got his eye on you-that's a major plus! You could totally reel him in. Guys that good-looking are made for a little harmless flirting,especially when it's Waylon we're talking about.Whoever ends up with him will have bragging rights forever!"

Alexia retorted, "You're impossible."

"Be real-with a face and body like his, you're not even a little tempted?"

That comment made Alexia pause. Her mind wandered for just a second.

The idea of being with him didn't seem so outrageous after all.

While she was lost in that thought, a new notification lit up her phone-Waylon's name on the screen.

The suddenness made her fumble, almost sending her phone flying.

Once she pulled up the chat, she saw that Waylon had dropped a file on Leif Saunders-one of the thugs that had kidnapped her.

A short message followed. "Leif cracked during last night's questioning.Marilee's the one who ordered the kidnapping. All the proof is in your inbox. What you do now is up to you."

Attached to the message were a handful of photos and a damning audio file.

With a tap, Alexia listened as Leif's terrified voice broke down, his confession spilling out between panicked screams.

Rage simmered beneath Alexia's skin. She'd suspected Marilee's involvement ever since the Black Tiger Gang grabbed her, but hearing the full admission made her blood boil.

Marilee hadn't been satisfied stirring up a mob on social media-she'd gone so far as to hire criminals to have her kidnapped. If she hadn't managed to escape or if Waylon hadn't shown up when he did,the outcome would have been unthinkable.

"I'm not going to spare her this time." Alexia's lips curled in contempt.

The Jenkins family clearly hadn't learned their lesson.

She tapped her fingers on the wheel, shifted gears,and floored it toward the Gibson family's.

The Gibson family was in uproar.

"Grandpa, you can't let this slide! Waylon has crossed every line!" Brandon sobbed, clutching Allen's leg in a desperate plea. Allen's gaze landed on his grandson's bandaged hand, and his heart twisted with pity.

Brandon had spent the night in the hospital after losing two fingers; now, newly discharged, he was determined to get justice.

When Allen first learned what had happened, the shock and fury nearly knocked him off his feet.

Eleanor's eyes flashed with anger, though her words came out cold. "You had it coming. Maybe now you'll think twice before sneaking off to those casinos."

Gloria's expression soured instantly. "Eleanor, how can you be so heartless? This is all on Waylon. No matter how many times Brandon messes up, he had no right to go that far! It's a direct insult to our family!"

Allen's gaze darkened as he turned to Roger, who stood quietly by. His anger spilled over."Why are you just standing there? You were present, weren't you?Why didn't you stand up to Waylon and defend Brandon?"

Roger's eyes flicked to Brandon, who sat weeping on the floor. "Brandon started the trouble. And besides,Waylon showed up with numbers on his side. What was I supposed to do-fight a losing battle?"

Brandon's voice cracked, wounded. "Roger! How can you say that? If you'd just gotten on your knees before Alexia, I wouldn't have lost mny fingers!"

The words barely left his mouth before Roger snapped, his composure fracturing. His usually calm face hardened as he jabbed a finger at Brandon."Why should I kneel for you? I just bailed you out of a five hundred million debt, and now there's a one-billion charge waiting at mny company! You expect me to pay for your messes and beg for mercy too? When will you take responsibility for yourself, Brandon?"

Roger's rare outburst stunned everyone. Suddenly,the entire hall fell silent.

Disappointment hardened Eleanor's features as she fixed Brandon with a withering glare. "Another billion in debt, Brandon? Are you set on driving the Gibson family into the ground?"

Brandon's frustration exploded. "Isn't it enough I've lost my fingers? Must you keep piling on the blame?Would you only be satisfied if I was dead? This time I was the victim and our whole family got humiliated,but all you care about is the money! You claim I'm sinking the family, but when I'm in trouble, not a single one of you steps up! Even Alexia has Waylon fighting her battles. What use is family if you all turn your backs on me?"

His tirade jolted Allen from his silence.

Though his patience with Brandon had worn thin,Waylon's treatment of the family gnawed at his pride.He took a heavy breath. "Brandon may have made mistakes, but Waylon's disrespect cannot go unanswered. I'm going to visit the Mason family and demand justice!"

He was halfway to his feet when the doors flew open and Alexia swept into the living room,her presence sharp as a blade. "Demand justice? That's funny-l came here with a list of grievances myself!"