The Billionaire's Genius Wife

Scarlett's composed expression gradually shifted. Hearing Maggie insulting her mother, she felt her heart pounding like war drums.

She didn't mind the insults directed at her; other people's opinions did not affect her. However, if her family, especially her mother, were insulted, she wouldn't tolerate it.

Her eyes bore into Maggie with a sharp intensity. She had a strong urge to give the back of her head a powerful slap, but she resisted. She refused to lower herself to such a level. 

Instead, she turned her gaze to Roland, her look calm yet profound as if she were silently urging him to discipline his daughter.

Before Scarlett could say anything to Roland, her words were halted by the anger emanating from Roland's eyes.

"Maggie Gilwynn, apologize to Scarlett immediately," Roland said, striving to suppress his anger. His voice remained calm, but his words only fueled Maggie's fury.

"Apologize to her? To this slut, Scarlett Piers!?" Maggie's voice rose in an octave. "I'm sorry, Father, even if you force me, I will never apologize to this girl—"

SLAP!

The sound of the slap echoed throughout the room, startling Maggie. She stared in disbelief at her father, her hand cradling her now hot cheek. She had never imagined her father, who loved her so dearly, would raise his hand against her to defend Scarlett Piers, this "illegitimate child," as she scornfully put it.

"Y-You... Father... you... dare to slap me? How could you defend this girl? How could you defend her? She is not your legal daughter... She is the homewrecker's daughter. How could—" Maggie sobbed, feeling hurt. The stinging pain on her cheek was nothing compared to the shame and humiliation she was experiencing now.

Roland gritted his teeth, hearing Maggie's hurtful words. Unable to contain his anger any longer, he raised his hand once again. Still, Scarlett moved faster to stop his hand from reaching Maggie. Roland turned to her, bewildered.

Scarlett couldn't bear to see Maggie crying so miserably. Another strike from Roland would only worsen the situation. She can't let him hit her. 

"Please don't!" Scarlett pleaded softly, fixing a serious gaze on her father. 

Roland was jolted by his own mistake, and a sudden wave of weakness washed over his entire body. He deeply regretted hitting Maggie. He tried to reach out to Maggie, intending to pull her into his arms and apologize, but Maggie's anger grew.

"I hate you, Father... I truly hate you. I will never forgive you, never!" Maggie wailed in anger, her eyes now fixed disdainfully on Scarlett Piers. She even raises her hand, attempting to slap Scarlett to return the humiliation she got. 

"Maggie, stop!" Melinda instantly holds Maggie's hand. 

"Let me go, Aunty! Let me teach this bitch—" Maggie struggled to break free from Melinda's grip, but Melinda refused to let her go.

"Aunty Melinda, please take her outside," Scarlett said calmly; she needed to speak to her father without Maggie in the room. 

She watched as Melinda escorted Maggie out of the room. However, the sound of Maggie's insults lingered until they departed the dining room.

Scarlett paid no heed to Maggie's insulting words. Instead, she turned her gaze back to Roland. Her dark expression left him stunned.

She didn't immediately speak to her father. Instead, she took a deep breath, attempting to calm the storm of emotions raging inside her. After a moment, she finally spoke to him, who seemed to sense her grim mood.

"Father, this is the reason why I've been reluctant to become involved with your family, our family," Scarlett paused, collecting herself and inhaling deeply to ease the tightness in her chest. She felt an extreme sense of suffocation, like a huge rock crushing her chest. 

"I'm exhausted from the drama that has defined my life. My mother's fake death when I was little. The torment I endured from my stepmother left lasting scars inside me. And discovering that my supposed real father isn't my biological father," she nearly choked on her words, the pain of those memories still vivid.

Scarlett wants Roland to understand that the firm side she often displays hides a vulnerable reality beneath it.

"Father, my life has been incredibly draining and chaotic," Scarlett's voice trembled slightly as she fought back tears she didn't want to show him. She continued, "And you know what? It doesn't end there... My uncle wiped out my entire family on Island B and even tried to kill me!" 

Roland was rendered speechless. He had known his daughter's tragic story, but hearing it directly from her lips, her tremor voice and also seeing her bloodshot eyes, he could feel his heart tear apart. 

"My only wish, just one... I don't want to hear insults coming from this family, too," Scarlett said, unable to hold back her tears any longer. 

She tried to restrain herself, but she was just a normal human being who could cry. However, her tears only lasted for a moment. Once she regained control of her emotions, she continued while wiping away the remnants of her tears.

"I won't be involved in how you settle things with your family about how they would accept me. But for now, I will return to my place... I won't set foot in your house until you tell me everything is resolved. And I'll only return if you can guarantee peace for me, Father," Scarlett said, slightly bowing toward him before leaving.

No words could adequately express the pain Scarlett felt at that moment. With each step she took, it felt like nails dug into her feet, making the pain almost unbearable. But she couldn't stop, even though this nameless pain tormented her.

However, as she left the house, for some unknown reason, she felt the burden on her shoulders slowly lift. Perhaps it was because she had said everything she wanted to tell her father.

Now, all she wanted was to go home and embrace her husband. As soon as their car left the yard, she took out her cell phone and called Xander.