I Watched My Mother Kneel For His Family, Then I Ended His Chapter 07

I Watched My Mother Kneel For His Family, Then I Ended His Chapter 07

The two budyguards-tall and strong, in black suits, expressionless-moved to stand on either side of me.

Rowley said, “Elva, you’re emotional right now. I won’t blame you for it. Just come back with us and we’ll

work it out.”

His tone was still gentle.

But the bodyguards’ hands were already reaching for my arms.

I didn’t move.

Because I knew what would happen next.

Celia raised her phone.

“I called the police thirty minutes ago. Ms. Holden is a normal customer here and hasn’t done anything

illegal. If you forcefully take her away, that constitutes unlawful detention.”

Two uniformed police officers walked into the coffee shop.

They had probably come from the nearby station. Their steps were calm and steady.

“What’s going on here? Who called the police?”

Celia stood up.

“I did. This man,” She pointed at Rowley. “He ordered his bodyguards to forcibly take my client away.

The officers looked at the two bodyguards, then at Rowley. “Sir, tell your men to step back.”

The muscles on Rowley’s face twitched.

He waved his hand. The two bodyguards stepped back.

On of the officers turned to me. “Ma’am, are you alright? Do you need to make a report?”

“Not for now. Thank you.”

The officers nodded but didn’t leave.

Rowley stood there. His expression changed several times.

Anger. Embarrassment. Agitation.

Then a look I had never seen before. Resolve.

He turned to look at Frederica, then at Dillen.

Then he did something no one expected.

“You two,” he said to his bodyguards. “Hold them both down.”

The bodyguards froze. “MK. Guzman?”

“I said hold them down.”

They didn’t dare disobey. One grabbed Frederica. The other grabbed Dillen.

Frederica was completely stunned.

“Rowley, what are you doing? Have you lost your mind?”

Dillen struggled but couldn’t break free. “Dad?”

Rowley ignored them.

He turned to face my mother and me.

“Elva, Mrs. Holden. I sincerely apologize to you both.”

Then he walked over and slapped Frederica across the face.

The sound was sharp and clear.

The entire coffee shop went silent.

Frederica screamed, “Rowley, you…

The second slap landed.

Then the third.

He struck again and again, fast and vicious-nothing like a man past sixty.

Frederica’s screams grew louder. Her face swelled within seconds.

After laying into his wife with more than a dozen slaps, he turned on Dillen.

Dillen’s face had already gone pale. “Dad!”

The first slap landed on his left cheek.

His head snapped to the side.

The second.

The third.

The twelfth.

Twelve slaps for each of them,

After finishing, Rowley shook his hand. His knuckles were red.

Then he turned back to us!

“Elva, Mrs. Holden. The six slaps she gave you, I’ve returned them double.”

“Name your conditions. As long as you’re willing to restore the design licenses, I’ll agree to anything.”

When he straightened, his expression looked like he was negotiating a business deal. Sharp. Pragmatic.

Cold.

To him, hitting his wife and son was no different from offering a discount.

As long as he could save the 80 million dollar contracts.

I watched the scene in front of me.

Frederica covered her face and cried. Her makeup was completely ruined.

Dillen had blood at the corner of his mouth. His eyes were empty, like a discarded toy.

My mother sat beside me, holding my hand tightly. She didn’t say a word.

I turned to her. “Mom, what do you think?”

She looked at them for a long time.

Then she shook her head. “Let’s go.”

I nodded.

I stood up and gathered the documents on the

Celia stood as well, snapped her laptop shut, and

ipped it into her bag.

“Mr. Guzman.”

I looked at Rowley one last time.

“The conditions in the divorce agreement remain unchanged. Once it’s signed, my lawyer will communicate

with your lawyer about the licensing issue.”

“If you don’t sign… whatever happens next is on you.”

I supported my mother and walked toward the door.

“Elva!”

Dillen’s voice came from behind me. Hoarse. Broken.

“After five years together, you’re really leaving just like that?”

I didn’t look back.

I pushed open the glass door. The sunlight outside was warm.

The August breeze carried the fresh scent of grass from the roadside trees.

My mother’s steps were much steadier than yesterday.

Suddenly, she gently pulled my hand. “Elva.”

“Yeah?”

“The way you were in there… that was something.”

I smiled. “Come on, Mom. Let’s go get a nice meal.”