CHAPTER 10: REPERCUSSION

The atmosphere of the room changed. John glared at Sloane angrily. Sloane refused to be flustered by the looks she got.

“I believe we have settled this within us," Jacob said. “There's no need to try to stare Sloane down."

"What will her shares do for us?” John clapped back.

Ms Barbara got up. "Everyone, be calm. I will speak to Bradley myself. Sloane, you are coming with me.”

Sloane stood up and followed her as they left the room. When they got to the living room, Bradley was pacing to and fro swearing and cursing under his breath. When he saw them coming, he stopped and faced them.

“Does the Wentworth family think so little of me and my dad?" Bradley queried angrily.

“Good morning, Bradley," Ms Barbara greeted him with a smile on her face.

But Bradley was in no mood to entertain any sort of pleasantries.

“I don't want to sound rude, but keep the greeting to yourself. There is certainly nothing good about this morning."

Ms Barbara threw a glare at Sloane.

“I understand you are angry. But calm down."

Bradley made himself comfortable on a couch and crossed his legs.

“And why is she just standing there?” Bradley asked. "Where is her packed bag? I have no time to spare. We should get going.”

He got up and started walking away.

Sloane heaved a sigh and said, “You truly are a pathetic fellow."

Bradley heard the words and stopped.

“What did you just say to me?"

Ms Barbara tried to cut in to quench the fire before it spread. But Sloane was fed up with Bradley's madness.

"I am not going anywhere with you,” Sloane said firmly. “Like I told you before, I am married. And I will not part ways with my husband in order to be property to an arrogant spoiled son of his wicked rich father.”

"Sloane! You silly girl.”

Ms Barbara was pissed off. But Sloane wasn't ready to back off.

Bradley was angry. Sloane didn't just insult him, but she dragged his father into this.

“Are you aware of what would happen if I take this phone and place a phone call across to my dad, letting him know how badly you have insulted him?”

Ms Barbara cut in. "Please, calm down, Bradley.”

The appeal to calm Bradley pissed Sloane off even more.

"Damn it!" She cursed under her breath. “This is the Wentworth family. We can't be puppets to anyone, mom. To hell with his anger. We will figure this out."

Bradley bursted out into fits of laughter. He was clearly mocking the family.

"You still think so highly of yourself,” he said. "This family's business is already shaky. You need to grab the hands of someone that can help you out. And right now in the business circle of this city, my father happens to be the man that can help you. Guess what? I'm the one to make it happen!"

Sloane said nothing. She just stared at him. She hated the situation.

“By the way, you seem to be so confident in this supposed husband of yours. Who the hell is he in this city? I want to know."

Just in time, one of the security people walked in.

"You have a guest, ma'am,” the dude said while looking at Sloane.

He ushered Carlo in and disappeared. Bradley stared him down trying to figure out who he was.

“And what is he doing here?" Ms Barbara asked angrily.

Sloane quickly put up an act. Her face dissolved in a beautiful smile.

“Hello, love," she said to Carlo and walked to him.

Bradley watched as she hugged him tightly.

"Bradley, meet my husband,” she said.

Bradley was infuriated. Carlo definitely didn't look like someone that would be able to help the family.

Why would Sloane choose such a person over him?

"You mean to tell me that you chose this thing over me," he said in a saucy manner. “He doesn't even look like he can afford a three square meal for himself, let alone being of any help to your family's collapsing business!"

Carlo understood the situation. He didn't need a prophet to tell him that Bradley was the one the family wanted Sloane to marry.

"Hello,” Carlo said casually and extended his right hand for a handshake.

Bradley took a step backward. "If you don't take your filthy hands away, I'll have it chopped off.”

Carlo smiled and slowly withdrew his hand.

Bradley chuckled and took his phone out.

“Bradley, you don't have to do—"

Ms Barbara didn't finish before Bradley cut her off with a chuckle.

“Don't worry, Ms Barbara," he said. “The phone call isn't for your family's business yet. Right now, I need to teach a silly bastard a lesson that she will never forget in her lifetime."

He was talking about Sloane.

"What are you thinking?” Sloane asked.

"You will find out soon enough.”

When Bradley was done texting with his phone, he looked at Sloane and grinned.

"Perhaps, I need to remind you of your place.”

Sloane's phone began to ring almost immediately. When she looked at the caller, her heart sank completely.

What could have gone wrong? Bradley must have done something through his texts.

Carlo looked at Sloane. He could see how nervous she was at the time. This made him despise Bradley even more.

Sloane took the call.

“Hello, doctor," she said as she picked up.

Carlo had no idea what this was all about. But he could tell that whatever it was, it was bad. Sloane's countenance dropped as she took the phone off her ear.

“Is this your little scheme?”

Bradley giggled. “This is just the beginning. Maybe your husband could help you pay for her surgery.”

Sloane was mute for a moment. She shut her eyes. When she opened them, she started heading out. Carlo followed immediately.

"Where are we going?” He asked her.

Sloane looked at him with teary eyes and replied, "To see my mother.”

Carlo threw a last glance at Bradley who was grinning sheepishly. He was going to make Bradley pay dearly.