Chapter 124: Command of the Scarlette

[Kreacher’s Block]

Inside one of the largest mansions in the community, several people could be seen hurrying toward a place they rarely visited together.

No, they weren’t the servants rushing to the dining hall to prepare for the evening meal. They were members of the Scarlette family, all of whom had been summoned by the patriarch barely half an hour earlier with the unexpected announcement that they would be having dinner together.

And since they mostly don’t stay at home it explains the current rush

"Any idea what this could be about?" Caleb, the youngest child of the family and its only son, asked urgently as he hurried alongside his siblings.

Christella snickered. "Do you think Father considers me important enough to inform me of such things? And if I did know something, why would I be rushing alongside the rest of you?"

Her three husbands immediately moved closer, seemingly intent on calming her down. However, the agitated woman shot them all a sharp glare, leaving them with little choice but to stay behind her.

"Could this be about Jean?" the only woman among them who didn’t appear particularly panicked suggested. Despite her own hurried pace, she seemed considerably calmer than the others.

Her words caused the other two siblings to pause for a moment. However, Brenda, the third child of the family, continued walking without waiting for their reactions.

"Whatever the reason, standing here wondering about it won’t help us if we’re late," she reminded them.

Realizing she had a point, the others hurried after her.

Soon, they arrived at the mansion’s spacious dining hall, where two people were already seated at the table.

At the far end sat Xavier Scarlette, the patriarch of the family and the very man responsible for this sudden commotion.

To his left sat Janet Scarlette, the lady of the house.

Both appeared perfectly composed, yet neither seemed particularly interested in speaking to the other. An uncomfortable silence hung between them as they waited for the remaining family members to arrive.

Before long, everyone had taken their seats. Caleb settled beside his mother, with Brenda sitting next to him. Across the table sat Christella, accompanied by her three husbands.

"I apologize for being late, Father," Christella said, offering an explanation almost immediately. "Since I had no idea you’d be home today, I’d already made several plans."

"You’re free to leave now, then," Xavier replied curtly.

Without sparing her another glance, he gestured to the maids, signaling them to begin serving the meal.

As the maids moved about in perfect unison, serving the dishes without uttering a word, Christella pursed her lips. However, there was no bitterness in her expression. She was well aware that her father treated everyone with the same indifference, so there was little point in taking his attitude personally.

"How have you been, Mother? I’m sorry I haven’t been able to visit you very often lately." Christella turned her attention to the older woman seated across from her.

Janet nodded gently. "I’ve been doing well. I hope you’re taking good care of your family."

At those words, one of Christella’s three husbands immediately chimed in. "She takes excellent care of us. We hardly have to worry about anything."

The other two nodded in agreement, seemingly eager to reinforce his statement.

Caleb barely managed to suppress a scowl as he looked at the trio of idiots. As far as he has observed, they had practically sold their lives in exchange for the fame and wealth Christella had to offer. Yet here they were, acting as though they had struck the greatest bargain in the world.

Regardless, the meal was soon served, and everyone began eating in silence.

Christella and her two siblings were all curious about the reason behind their sudden summons. Xavier had stayed at the mansion on several occasions before, but it had been quite some time since he had specifically instructed them to gather for dinner.

There was little doubt that he had something important to discuss. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have gone out of his way to summon the entire family.

However, despite their growing impatience, none of them dared to disturb the patriarch while he ate. Whatever the reason for this gathering, they would have to wait until Xavier decided to speak.

Throughout the meal, Caleb kept stealing glances at his mother, hoping to catch some hint of what this gathering was about. However, Janet merely smiled back at him, revealing nothing.

For nearly thirty minutes, the family continued eating in silence. Well, most of them did. Caleb and Christella could barely focus on their food, as every little movement or sound from the patriarch made them wonder if he was finally about to speak.

Yet the silence persisted until everyone had nearly finished their meals.

Just as Christella and Caleb were beginning to accept the possibility that their father had summoned them for nothing more than an ordinary family dinner, Xavier finally broke the silence.

"I have something to tell you all."

Here it comes.

Christella immediately straightened in her seat, leaning forward with renewed interest. Across the table, Caleb’s attention snapped toward his father, while the entire dining hall fell silent.

By then, the maids had already slipped out of the room at the matriarch’s discreet instruction, leaving the family alone.

Whatever Xavier was about to say, it was clearly something he didn’t want outsiders overhearing.

Xavier rested his hands on the table before making his announcement. "Some of you recently discovered Jean’s current circumstances and where she’s living."

Christella’s eyes immediately brightened. Ever since her father had ordered her to step aside that day, claiming he wanted to deal with Jean himself, she had been waiting for this moment. It seemed the day she had been anticipating had finally arrived.

She glanced at the only person in the family who still cared about Jean, but the expression on Janet’s face left her confused. Rather than appearing worried or distressed, the older woman looked surprisingly relaxed.

Christella couldn’t quite understand why, but she soon turned her attention back to her father.

"I know that I previously declared, in front of everyone here, that Jean would be punished for betraying her family and going against my orders."

Christella’s anticipation grew with every word. She could hardly wait to hear what decision her father had made regarding that bitch.

However, what came next was the complete opposite of what she had expected.

"And yet, today, I hereby declare that neither I nor anyone else in this family will ever interfere with Jean or her newfound family."

"What?!"

Xavier turned his gaze toward Christella, silencing her protest before she could utter another word.

"I won’t explain the reasons behind my decision, but I want you all to understand that this is final."

His voice grew heavier, each word carrying an unmistakable sense of authority and conviction.

"Jean and her family have nothing to do with us anymore. From this day forward, they are to be treated as complete strangers. No one in this family is to interfere in their lives, regardless of the circumstances."

°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading. Drop a comment if you enjoyed the full introduction of the family.