Filed To Story: A Second Chance with My Billionaire Love
She was able to endure the years in the Guajardo family because of this mindset. Francine wasn’t a bad person, it was just that she had an annoying personality and her words were usually harsh.
Honestly, Francine was actually a good person. Among the rich in Beach City, she did the most charity and would always donate lots of money to help those in need. Hence, even if Francine bullied Flossie a lot in the past, Flossie never hated her.
‘That’s right. Listen to Flossie. Don’t get mad at a mad woman.” Sophia scoffed as she and Jack finally calmed down.
Flossie turned to Francine and said, “Miss Milford, if there’s nothing else, please go home. This is a family banquet, and an outsider like you shouldn’t be here.”
Although her words seemed harsh, she was just trying to protect Francine. The Baldwin family wasn’t a tolerant family – they were like the royal family of Sutton with the military in their hands.
If anything happened, Francine’s identity as Mrs. Guajardo wouldn’t help much.
“A family banquet?” Francine smiled elegantly. ‘You’re not family either, but you’re still sitting here.”
Flossie was speechless. ’I can’t help her anymore!’
Francine had been protected well over the years, so she was oblivious and had absolutely no sense of danger.
Suddenly, Austin said coldly, “Francine, the Milford family was indeed connected by blood to the Guajardo family, but that ended the minute the Milford family married into the Guajardo family. Just tell me why you’re here, or else, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”
Hearing this, Francine raised her eyebrows, put down the glass in her hand and said slowly, “If that’s the case, then I’ll be honest. The reason I’m here is to bring my daughter-in-law back.”
Instantly, everyone became tense and their faces darkened.
■ Flossie grew up in Beach City,” Francine said confidently. ‘The economy there is flourishing and everything is perfect. Sutton, on the other hand, is impoverished, inconvenient, and has terrible transportation. I can’t watch her stay here and suffer.”
The Baldwin family’s expressions were thunderous, and nobody said a word, but the atmosphere was dangerously tense.
Flossie became even more scared, and she tugged on Francine’s arm and whispered, “Miss Milford, I advise you to stop talking. Why are you insulting this city?”
Francine was a really brave woman!
“I’m not insulting it, I’m just stating facts. If you look at the annual global wealth list, Beach City far outranks Sutton. The numbers are practically on opposite ends of the list. Am I wrong for merely stating the obvious?”
Francine grabbed Flossie’s hand and stood up. “Anyway, enough about the past. I can tell that Halston really likes you. Come back with me, and the two of you can have a fresh start!”
“Miss Milford, don’t do this.” Flossie flatly refused her request, saying firmly, ’Didn’t Halston tell you? At the airport, I told him clearly that I chose Justin over him. Otherwise, I would not have come to Sutton with Justin. Since my relationship with Halston has already ended, we should be giving each other space. You can’t keep bothering me like this.”
“It’s impossible. I don’t believe you!” Francine was like a stubborn child trying to fight for a toy. “You loved Halston so much before this, there’s no way you can let him go just like that. I know you’re angry that Halston did you wrong and the Guajardo family didn’t appreciate you and treated you badly, but you shouldn’t make the wrong choices just because you’re angry. The Baldwin family are like a pack of wolves – none of them are good people. You’ll only suffer if you marry into their family!”
“Francine, shut up! I’ve had enough of you.” Sophia snarled, and turned to the door as she ordered, ‘This woman is mad. She dared to cause a scene at the Baldwin family’s banquet! Lock her up and let her think about her mistakes.”
Soon after, two armed men in black uniforms entered through the front door, and forcibly dragged Francine out.
Seeing this, Flossie panicked and immediately stepped forward to stop them. “Hold on, let’s talk it out. There’s no need for violence.”
Sophia smiled at her and said gently, “Flossie, it’s best you don’t get involved in this. Since she’s in Sutton, she has to abide by our rules.
Anyone who dares to insult the Baldwin family will be held inside the confession room. People will think we’re afraid of the Guajardos if we exempt Francine from punishment!”
“But…” Flossie turned to look at Austin and Jack who were now calmly sipping wine and eating their food. It was obvious that they were the ones who intended it, but Sophia was the one to execute the plan.
It was just as the rumors said – the Baldwins were pretty much the Sutton royal family, and the power they wielded was far greater than Flossie could have imagined.
Justin saw her concerned expression and said reassuringly, “Don’t worry. Miss Francine is too arrogant, so we’re just teaching her a lesson. Nothing bad will happen.”
“That’s right.” Austin smiled and said, “We know our boundaries. Please continue your meal and treat the scene earlier as entertainment, don’t let it ruin your mood.”
Flossie finished her meal warily. She felt as if she had voluntarily walked into the lion’s den.
It was already late at night when they arrived at the Baldwin residence. The place was an Elizabethan- era courtyard building, and was divided into four courtyards in the south, east, north, and west. Each courtyard was elegantly decorated with pavilions, carved railings, and jade.
Flossie’s room was in the East courtyard, next to Justin’s.
“Brat, you’d better be a good host and help Flossie settle in so she’ll start envisioning this place as her home.” Sophia ordered Justin solemnly before she went back to her room to rest.
“Don’t worry, Mum, I’ll take good care of my girlfriend,” Justin sighed.
“Hmm. Since she’s your girlfriend, the two of you should be staying in the same room. Why get a separate room?”
“Mom, I told you that she’s shy. We’re not married yet, so how can we stay in a room together?” With that, Justin gently pushed Sophia out of the room and said, “Go to sleep. We want to spend time together.”
When Sophia heard this, her eyes shone with excitement. ‘Yes, please enjoy your time together. Son, do well and don’t fail me.”
Finally, everyone went, leaving just Flossie and Justin inside the room.
“Justin, be honest with me, were you trying to trick me?” Flossie’s face was tense as she asked seriously.
‘Why do you say so?’ He was smiling faintly, completely calm.
‘You asked me to pretend to be your girlfriend and come meet your parents, but you didn’t tell me it was going to be this grand. Your family even gave me a trained battalion! If I don’t marry you, it’ll look like I’m taking your family for granted,” she protested, clenching her fists.
She was really anxious. The Baldwin family was treating her so well, so she felt guilty for deceiving. Additionally, seeing the way they handled problems, she was worried about rubbing them the wrong way.
“There’s no dilemma at all.” Justin stood up and walked towards Flossie slowly with a smirk on his face. “Instead of pretending to be my girlfriend, you should marry me for real. I wasn’t kidding when I said I want you to be the mistress of the Baldwin family.”
“Stop joking around!” She stepped back and tried to push him away. “I’m not interested in being a housewife. I just want to live the rest of my life peacefully.”
He gently pushed her up against the wall and murmured, “Phoenix, look at me. Even if you’re not interested in being a housewife… aren’t you interested in me?”
Honestly, Justin was an attractive man, but Flossie wasn’t familiar with him yet, so his actions weirded her out.
She ducked out from under him and pushed him against the wall, twisting his arm behind his back. Justin let out a muffled groan, his charming face smashed against the wall.
Flossie growled menacingly in his ear, ‘You’d better behave around me, brat. Don’t try to flirt with me or I’ll tear your limbs off!”
“Ah! It hurts. Boss, let me go!” Justin yelped, not expecting her to be this strong. He squealed so loudly that the entire courtyard could hear him.
When Sophia heard this, she smiled happily. “Good! Justin didn’t fail me.”
Inside the room.
Flossie only let Justin go after teaching him a lesson.
“Phoenix, you’re a girl but you’re also a hacker and a fighter. Who would dare to marry you if you’re this fierce?” Justin groaned and rubbed his neck which had almost been snapped by Flossie, keeping his distance as he teased her.
“Are you still going to talk nonsense?” She held her arm in the air and stared at him coldly.
“No, definitely not!” He immediately stepped back. ‘This is just the way I talk. You can’t possibly expect me to keep quiet all the time, right?”
“I do. It seems you’re just a naturally annoying human.” She scoffed and slowly put her hand down, and then tentatively asked, “What are you going to do to Francine?”
Justin clenched his jaw, and said casually, “We’ll let her suffer and teach her how to be a proper human being!”
“Are you insane?” Flossie was a little overwhelmed by all this. “She’s Halston’s mom; the Guajardo family will not let you go if anything happens to her. You might have an army, but the Guajardo family can’t be underestimated either. If a fight breaks out, both families will suffer!”