"Dad, are you really going to hit Ryan over something so trivial?" Annabelle Linton said coldly.
Annabelle Linton yanked her hand away from William Chapman and slapped Joy Chapman twice across the face.
"The first slap is for taking someone's things without their permission. The second is for sowing discord and disrupting the peace in this family," Annabelle Linton said, her face devoid of expression.
Everyone present was stunned. No one could have imagined that the always virtuous and gentle lady would actually strike someone.
Ryan Linton, especially, was so shocked watching Annabelle Linton that he was seeing stars.
'Annabelle... when did she get so... violent?'
Joy Chapman froze for a moment before snapping back to reality. She had been coddled her entire life and had never endured any hardship. And now, she had actually been slapped?
"You hit me?" She cupped her swelling cheek, her voice rising in disbelief. "Annabelle Linton, how dare you hit me?"
Annabelle Linton didn't deny it. She tilted her chin up, looking down on her. "I'm doing you a favor by even bothering to hit you. What are you going to do about it? Since you live in the Linton Family's house, and I'm older than you, I have the right to teach you a lesson. Otherwise, if word gets out that some ill-mannered bastard born from who-knows-who is running around biting people like a mad dog, wouldn't that bring shame to the Linton Family?"
"Annabelle Linton, I'll say it again, I have a father and a mother! I'm not a bastard! Even my parents have never hit me, so what gives you the right?" Joy Chapman was practically screaming with rage.
Annabelle Linton was completely unafraid, retorting bluntly, "Do you think the Linton Family runs a charity shelter? Freeloading here for over a decade is one thing, but now you're daring to stir up trouble for no reason! This family's name is Linton, not Chapman. If you feel so wronged, then get the hell out. No one's stopping you. But since you can't bear to leave, you'd better behave yourself and stop embarrassing the Linton Family all day long!"
Unable to win a physical fight, a furious Joy Chapman threw herself into William Chapman's arms. "Dad, those two are going too far! Linton has been gone for so many years, and you've worked so hard managing the company and providing for this family. Not only did they hit me and curse at me, but they also accused you of just living off a woman's money! This is just too much bullying!"
Yvonne Miller shot her a look that said, 'Well done.'
Joy Chapman lifted her chin, looking at Annabelle Linton with smug arrogance.
To accuse a man of living off a woman's money was a grave insult. Although Annabelle Linton hadn't said anything of the sort, Joy's accusation made it seem that way.
Sure enough, when William Chapman heard this, veins bulged on his forehead. "Annabelle Linton, what do you mean by that?"
Annabelle Linton took in the whole scene, knowing that William Chapman was on the verge of exploding.
'Only a fool would meet force with force; a smart person relies on strategy.'
Annabelle Linton remained perfectly calm. "What did I say? I hit her because she did something wrong. I said this family's name isn't Chapman because the family business originally belongs to the Linton Family. That's what everyone says. Did I say anything incorrect?"
A sharp glint flashed in Annabelle Linton's eyes. She turned to Joy Chapman, her expression accusatory. "You, on the other hand, little sister, are the one who's wrong. Like you said, Dad works hard to provide for the family. Everyone says he's diligent, capable, and successful. How is it that when it comes from your mouth, he's suddenly a man living off a woman's money? Or could it be that in your eyes, Dad has always been a good-for-nothing loser?"
William Chapman's anger toward Annabelle Linton instantly dissipated. What she said seemed to make sense.
William Chapman turned to Joy Chapman, his eyes filled with a cold light. "Is that what you really think?"
"Dad... that's not what I meant! I just couldn't stand seeing them treat you like that... Dad, I was wrong, I shouldn't have spoken so recklessly... I..." Joy Chapman panicked, shocked that Annabelle Linton had reacted so quickly.