Real Heiress: Flash Marriage With Boyfriend's Uncle - Chapter 228

Chapter 228: A jerk like you Chapter 228: A jerk like you Once Layla left the room, Lucius turned to Roderick with a storm of fury in his eyes.

In an instant, his hand shot out, grabbing Roderick by the throat with a force that left no room for resistance.

“She is my wife,” Lucius growled in a low and menacing voice.

“And the way you treat her is unacceptable to me.

How many times do I have to forgive you before you learn your place?” His thumbs dug mercilessly into Roderick’s windpipe, cutting off his air.

Roderick’s hands scrambled desperately at Lucius’s tight grip, but it was futile-Lucius’s hold was unyielding, like a vice tightening with every second.

Roderick’s face reddened, his attempts to speak reduced to strained, incomprehensible sounds.

“Un–” he choked, but the words died in his throat.

His knees buckled slightly, and his eyes widened in panic as his strength faltered against Lucius’s unrelenting grasp.

Finally, as if satisfied with his display of dominance, Lucius loosened his grip and released Roderick, who collapsed back against the door.

Gasping, Roderick clutched his neck and leaned heavily for support, his chest heaving as he struggled to suck in air.

“You… you tried to kill me,” Roderick rasped, glaring at Lucius with fear and outrage.

Lucius smirked coldly, his demeanor eerily calm.

“Kill you?

No, Roderick.

I simply wanted to remind you how essential oxygen is for your lungs.” He took a step closer to his nephew, and his voice dropped to an even colder tone.

“I warned you last night not to pester Layla, yet you insist on testing my patience.

Do it again, and I won’t stop at warnings.

Don’t make me throw you out of this house.” “This isn’t your house?” Roderick scoffed, his chuckle laced with disdain.

“You’re not even my grandfather’s son.

How dare you act like we share some kind of blood bond?

Your mother abandoned you, and you latched onto us to assert your dominance.

You don’t belong here, Uncle.” With those biting words, Roderick turned on his heel and stormed off in anger.

Lucius stood frozen for a moment, his fists clenching so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

Yet, instead of retaliating, a wry chuckle escaped his lips.

Without another word, he turned and walked towards the garden, the calm exterior masking the storm raging within him.

Layla, standing near the table around which Alekis seated, spotted Roderick first.

His face was a mask of fury as he approached.

But what truly caught her attention was Lucius trailing behind him.

Though a smile played on Lucius’s lips, his eyes betrayed a simmering anger that made her suspect.

‘Did Roderick say something to hurt him again?’ she wondered, her concern growing as she glanced at Alekis.

“Father,” she began, her voice steady but edged with urgency.

“I hope you make the right decision tonight-the one Brother Antoine would have wanted.” Alekis hummed in acknowledgment, his gaze distant as if weighing her words carefully.

Before he could respond, Fiona arrived, accompanied by a middle-aged couple and a poised young woman.

“Father,” Fiona began brightly, her voice cutting through the tension.

“May I introduce Mr.

Harvey and Mrs.

Mira Stone, and their lovely daughter, Ivy Stone.” “A very happy birthday, Mr.

De Salvo,” Harvey Stone greeted warmly, extending a small, elegantly wrapped gift.

“Please accept this token of our appreciation.” “Thank you,” Alekis replied with a gracious nod.

“Do have a seat.” Turning to the rest of the gathering, his tone grew livelier.

“And here is my grandson, Roderick De Salvo!” Roderick, though he understood the significance of the introduction, merely offered a curt nod to the Stones.

His mood, already soured by his confrontation with Lucius, left him uninterested in Ivy’s presence or the pleasantries being exchanged.

Meanwhile, Lucius had silently made his way to Layla’s side.

Without hesitation, she reached for his hand in a gentle touch.

The warmth of her grasp seeped into him, grounding him in a way words could not.

“Tell me, did Roderick say something he shouldn’t have?” Layla whispered near Lucius’s ear, her tone laced with concern.

Lucius tilted his head slightly, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.

“And what would you do if he did?” he asked, his voice just as low, carrying a hint of curiosity.

“Beat him up,” Layla replied without hesitation, her determination evident.

Lucius raised an eyebrow in amusement, his smirk widening.

“That’s intriguing.

My wife fighting for me,” he murmured, the warmth in his voice barely masked.

“I can do anything for you,” she whispered back, her words carrying the weight of her sincerity.

The two were so absorbed in their quiet exchange that Alekis’s booming voice startled them back to the present.

“And here,” Alekis announced with pride, gesturing toward them, “are my son and daughter-in-law, Lucius and Layla.” Lucius and Layla stepped forward, offering polite greetings to the Stones.

As the pleasantries unfolded, Ivy’s gaze lingered on Layla, a flicker of recognition lighting her eyes.

“I know you, Layla,” she said, her voice carrying a touch of familiarity.

“We were in the same university.

Though I was in a senior year.” Layla’s smile widened in surprise.

“What?

That’s-well, that’s unexpected,” she said with a soft laugh.

“Should I be calling you senior now?” Her tone was playful, her eyes sparkling with good humor.

Ivy chuckled, shaking her head.

“Of course not,” she replied, her own smile warm.

“You both should sit as well,” Alekis said, gesturing toward Layla and Lucius.

With his usual gentlemanly demeanor, Lucius stepped forward and pulled out a chair for Layla.

He waited patiently for her to settle before taking his own seat beside her.

Once everyone was seated, Alekis began, his tone carrying the authority of a patriarch.

“Miss Stone, I assume you are aware of the purpose of this meeting,” he said.

“My grandson Roderick is of marriageable age, and it would be wonderful to welcome you as my granddaughter-in-law.

I believe it would be beneficial for both families if you two spent some time getting to know each other.” Ivy cast a quick glance at Roderick, trying to gauge his feelings.

Though his expression remained unreadable, she decided to respond diplomatically.

“I would love to get to know your grandson better,” she said warmly.

“I hope he feels the same way.” Fiona, ever the orchestrator of family harmony, seized the moment.

“Of course, Ivy,” she interjected with a smile, her hand discreetly slipping under the table to clasp Roderick’s.

She gave his hand a subtle squeeze, urging him to cooperate.

“Why don’t you show Miss Ivy around the estate?

It’s a beautiful day, and I’m sure she’d enjoy it.” Roderick hesitated, clearly reluctant, but the weight of his mother’s expectations left him with little choice.

“Sure,” he muttered, pushing back his chair.

Rising to his feet, he turned to Ivy and offered a perfunctory nod.

“Shall we?” Ivy smiled politely and rose, following Roderick as he led her toward the estate’s gardens.

Despite her outward composure, she couldn’t help but wonder if Roderick shared even a fraction of the enthusiasm his family seemed to have for this arrangement.

“I’m aware of your affair with Layla from the University.

Turns out you didn’t marry her,” Ivy remarked, which made Roderick feel uncomfortable.

“I hope you break this arrangement first.

No one wants to be with a jerk like you,” she stated.