Chapter 308: Randomly Pissing Off a Dolton
She really was treating this like a show.
Sitting there, looking like the best audience member of the year.
Madeline was so furious she could barely stand.
She had to sit back on the couch to steady herself.
Jarrett’s face darkened. “Gemma, that’s too much.”
Gemma smiled.
“That was just the appetizer. You called me back for dinner, so I prepared a full feast.”
Jarrett, “…”
He had experienced Gemma’s sharp tongue before.
And right now, he was genuinely afraid that if she so much as licked her lips, she might poison herself with her own words.
Alijah had been standing beside the couch. Seeing his great–grandmother this upset, he frowned at Gemma.
“Mom, didn’t you teach me to respect my elders and care for the young?”
“So why are you bullying an old lady?”
“Great–Grandma is so nice. She carried me out of the car herself even though she’s so aged.”
“She even made all kinds of delicious food for me.”
“She said that one day, I’ll have a share in the Doltons.”
“She’s so kind–how could you do this? Mom, you’re so mean.”
The moment he said this, the Doltons exchanged smug glances.
Buying off the kid had definitely been the right move.
After all, a mother’s biggest weakness is always her child.
Now, Gemma had no choice but to back down..
Given the situation, she’d have to apologize to Madeline first, then comfort Alijah.
That was the only way to keep a good relationship with her son.
Otherwise…
If she pushed too hard, she might push Alijah–who was already being raised away from her–even further.
Besides-
They’d done their research.
The custody hearing for Alijah was coming up soon.
If Gemma had any sense, she’d use the Doltons to win custody.
And no mother would willingly give up her child.
So, she’d definitely cave.
But then-
Gemma’s expression turned ice–cold.
“First of all,” she said, voice calm and firm, “I have to praise you. At least you remembered part of what I taught you. Good job.”
“But I also have to criticize you–you only remembered half of it.”
“So let me repeat it for you: respect for elders and care for the young is built on the foundation that they deserve it.”
“If someone doesn’t act with respect, they don’t deserve to be respected.”
Each word was sharp.
Precise.
And heavy, landing squarely on Alijah’s young heart.
He had forgotten that part.
The Doltons, “–”
Wait, that’s it?
What happened to the dramatic apology they expected?
Kaiya’s face turned pale, then red.
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Chapter 308: Randomly Pissing Off a Dolton
Their trump card had just… fizzled out?
“She’s your grandmother, not some random stranger! You can’t hold her to that kind of standard!”
“And besides, what has she ever done to you?”
“Even Ali—who’s just a kid–can see she’s a good person, but you can’t? And you’re corrupting the boy with your nonsense!”
Alijah had been wavering.
But hearing that, he started to feel like they had a point.
“Mom, Great–Grandma never hurt you.”
“You used to apologize to my Grandma all the time.”
“So why do you treat this elder so differently?”
Back then, in the Wilsons‘ household, Gemma had no dignity.
She had even knelt outside in the cold, begging Margaret for visitation rights just to see her son.
She had never regretted what she’d endured for Alijah.
But she never expected those sacrifices to be used against her now–by her own son.
“If you don’t apologize to Great–Grandma, she’ll be heartbroken. How could she still teach me to take over the Doltons‘ business if she’s so sad?”
“Mom, just apologize.”
Gemma snapped out of her thoughts.
Hearing that, she let out a cold laugh.
“Oh, I see. You think I’m just standing in the way of your benefits?”
Alijah quickly shook his head. “No, I just want Great–Grandma to be happy.”
“If you want her to be happy, then you figure out a way. Don’t pawn off that responsibility onto me and expect me to stomp on my dignity to make it happen.”
Alijah still didn’t understand.
“But before-”
“Before was before. Now is now.” The door swung open. Christine walked in, holding her child.
Behind her, Ashton followed, his face dark with anger.
They had been listening at the door for a while.
Earlier, Christine had questioned Ashton–was he really sincere about bringing his niece back into the Doltons?
After some deep thought, he realized–
The kid was innocent. No matter what issues he had with Charlotte, none of itwas Gemma’s fault.
And deep down, he had always felt guilty about Charlotte.
Of course, he wanted Gemma to come home, to live as a real Dolton heiress.
Now that he’d figured that out, he realized-
Gemma didn’t seem so unbearable anymore.
And hearing all this from outside the door? It made his blood boil.
If this wasn’t his own family, he would’ve flipped the table by now.
Christine looked at Alijah.
“I know you’re Gemma’s kid, so I can’t do anything to you.”
*But if my own son ever dared to betray me like this–if he ever humiliated me in public–I’d strangle him myself. I’d rather pretend I never gave birth to him.”
Alijah’s face turned pale. He looked down, not daring to argue.
He had disappointed his mom. Again.
But he really hadn’t meant to.
He just thought… when a family was together, wasn’t it the mom’s job to smooth things over?
Wasn’t that how it always worked? Didn’t she always apologize first?
Christine tilted her head at him. “What’s wrong? You don’t get it?”
“If an apology fixes everything, why don’t you apologize? Why don’t you kneel? Why don’t you be the one to take the fall and make everyone happy?”
Alijah froze.
Him‘
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Chapter 308: Randomly Pissing Off a Dolton
How could he?
“You’re just a kid, and even you won’t swallow your pride. So what gives you the right to demand your mother do that for you?”
Alijah’s face went even paler.
“Enough!”
Madeline slammed her hand down on the table, shaking with rage.
“You–who the hell do you think you are, acting so high and mighty in my house?”
Christine smiled, completely unbothered.
“Oh, come on, Madeline. Don’t be like that. My child is your grandson. So what does that make me, hmm?”
Madeline scoffed.
“I don’t have a grandson! Don’t you spew that nonsense here!”
Christine turned to Ashton, looking oh–so pitiful.
“Well, I guess I’ll take my child and leave, then.”
Ashton immediately blocked her path.
“Mom, I’ve failed Christine for years. Whether you like it or not, I’m bringing her into the Doltons.”
Madeline shot up, pointing a trembling finger at him.
“You–you bastard!”
Before, Ashton would’ve caved. He would’ve backed down just to keep his mother happy.
But not today.
“Mom, if that’s what you think, then so be it.”
He smiled.
“But my wife and child will not be cast aside. No matter what you say, I’m staying with them.”
He put his arm around Christine’s shoulders.
Madeline was so furious she nearly passed out. “Impossible! This is impossible!”
Gemma took the opportunity to twist the knife.
“Wow, Madeline. Your parenting skills are amazing. Truly. I could never compare.”
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