Love and Devotion No Longer His to Claim (Angela and Dexter) novel Chapter 179

What needed to be said must be said.

This was Angela's home. If she couldn't even say a few harsh words or send unwelcome guests away, then what was the point?

"You ungrateful woman!" Natalie shot to her feet, pointing a trembling finger at Angela. "How dare you try to kick me out? I'm your grandmother!"

"You are Dexter and Trevor's grandmother, not mine. You didn't raise me or do anything for me, yet you demand my unwavering respect and obedience? And worse, obedience that is unreasonable? How does that work?" Angela retorted with a calm smile.

She was not in a good mood today. Anyone who crossed her would get an earful—even if it meant offending this old hag.

"Don't say that, Angela. Grandma only wants what's best for us, for the family to be united and harmonious." Trevor quickly stepped in, supporting Natalie by the arm. His voice even carried a slight rasp, as if he were truly heartbroken.

"Hah!" Angela laughed instead of getting mad.

Placing her hands on her hips, she leaned in and unleashed a barrage of questions. "You shameless thing—how can you even say that with a straight face?

"If it weren't for you—stirring up trouble like the two-faced snake you are—do you think she would have come to my house just to yell at me? And now you have the audacity to act all innocent, eh? Honestly, back then, why didn't you just fall to your…"

She stopped herself. No matter how furious she was, she wouldn't stoop to saying something that vile.

"You… You…" Natalie's face contorted with rage, and she suddenly collapsed, fainting on the spot.

Angela froze in shock, utterly stunned.

"How could you do this, Angela? Help me over here!" Trevor urged anxiously.

Angela was starting to become flustered.

She didn't want to be the cause of any real harm to Natalie. This wasn't her intention.

"Shut it!" Angela quickly stepped forward and leaned in.

But just as Angela approached, the supposedly unconscious Natalie suddenly opened her eyes and slapped her hard across the face.

The slap landed squarely, leaving Angela seeing stars. Her cheek burned fiercely.

Angela was instantly furious. The old hag had faked it!

Angela was initially flabbergasted before becoming livid.

"She's definitely faking it! She slapped me before closing her eyes. It would be a miracle if she actually fainted!" Angela said through gritted teeth.

Fiona felt utterly helpless. "At least explain what happened. When Joseph shows up—along with Miles and his family—they'll twist the story until even the innocent you ends up unforgivable."

Angela lowered her head and thought it over—that made sense. She suppressed her anger before recounting the events in detail, trying to leave nothing out.

"You've really got a sharp tongue. Natalie's had her way her whole life—who else would dare talk to her like this?" Fiona remarked.

Before long, the others arrived, including Dexter.

"What happened to your face?" Dexter immediately noticed, frowning deeply.

Angela, no longer as angry as before, waved her hand dismissively and didn't respond.

"Angela, what's going on? How could you upset Natalie so much she had to be hospitalized? No matter what, she's just an elderly woman. As someone younger, can't you show a little patience and respect?" Ursula criticized with a stern expression.