Please Give Me Another Chance, Mrs. Hamilton novel Chapter 12

Nadine was suddenly reminded of how cruel the world could be to a woman who did not stand her ground.

She had treated Evelyn and Gigi like her own family, and how had they repaid her genuine kindness? By inviting Jean over and treating Nadine like she was no better than a pest.

If that were the case, Nadine saw no point in treating them like her own kin anymore.

She thought she had been well within her rights to call Gigi a giant log after the latter complained of her "yapping".

The housekeeping staff on the sidelines immediately knew what Nadine meant. They had to look down and bite on their lips to keep from laughing out loud.

Some of them didn't get the joke at first, but they struggled to contain their laughter when they did.

The insult would have flown over Gigi's head if she hadn't heard the housekeeping staff's suppressed laughter and finally cracked the meaning behind Nadine's retort.

Nadine had implied that Gigi was as dumb as a log.

Flying into a rage, Gigi pointed at Nadine and seethed, "You bitch! How dare you call me stupid! I'll rip your throat out for that!"

She was fuming as she shrugged off Evelyn's hold on her and stormed up to Nadine. She raised a hand, ready to slap Nadine.

However, Nadine caught Gigi's wrist in time and narrowly avoided the assault.

Unable to move her right hand, Gigi raised her left one and attempted to slap Nadine a second time.

Nadine did not give her the chance to do so. With two hands, she wrenched Gigi's wrist until the pain silenced the latter and made all the blood drain from her face.

Wincing, Gigi hissed, "You wicked bitch! Did you have to go so far just because I called you names?"

Nadine did not let go of Gigi's wrist and merely stared at her ferociously.

She had lost count of the times Gigi had picked on her since she married Brad five years ago. Her behavior today was a warning to Gigi that she was not a pushover.

Evelyn was relieved that Gigi had not been struck.

She glared at Nadine and asked sourly, "What do you think you're playing at, Nadine? Are you so high and mighty that you can't take some criticism from Gigi?"

Evelyn was furious that Nadine would resort to using violence against Gigi. Nadine was getting more out of hand after Adam sided with her, which made Evelyn's blood boil.

She decided it was time to put Nadine in her place.

In the past, Nadine would have tried to maintain some modicum of peace within the family even if it meant putting up with Evelyn's condescension.

After all, Evelyn was Brad's mother. It was Nadine's obligation to respect and take care of Evelyn as she would her own mother.

But Nadine had enough of putting up with Evelyn's nonsense and contempt. Today, she would stand up for herself.

Her knifelike gaze fell on Evelyn as she countered, "Criticism? Gigi blatantly insulted me, and everyone here can testify that I was merely responding to her snide remark.

"Did you think I would keep quiet after being called a bitch? You said I was high and mighty; I think it's because you feel so inferior that you have to put me down to feel better about yourself."

Nadine did not hold back. She did not care that she had crossed a line with Evelyn and Gigi today. She saw no need to spare them the admonishment.

Evelyn tried to argue, but no words came out of her mouth.

Gigi was in so much pain that she couldn't even speak. She stared at Nadine with wide eyes, silently pleading with her to let go.

Unfortunately for Gigi, Nadine ignored the plea in her eyes.

Nadine turned to smile at Adam as she suggested, "Grandpa, I think you were right when you said Gigi is far too spoiled. Giving her a time-out might not be an adequate punishment for her.

"Perhaps you should have her write lines instead. Mrs. Hamilton will be celebrating her birthday soon, writing lines could help calm Gigi's temper and straighten her out before the big event."

Gigi wouldn't suffer in a time-out. At worst, she would only have to go to bed without supper.

"Things are complicated enough at home as they are, Brad. Haven't you had enough of this nonsense?" Adam berated, upset that Brad had invited Jean over for dinner.

This was supposed to be a wholesome family dinner, but Jean had ruined it with her presence. Adam even nearly had a heart attack because of her.

Safe to say, Daniel did not like Jean one bit.

"Brad, society expects you to be monogamous. We must maintain a united front as a family if we want our stocks to do well on the market," Daniel pointed out gravely.

He continued, "How am I supposed to entrust you with running the company if you can't even manage your private affairs?"

Brad's behavior was incomprehensible, and having his mistress show up at the family home and seated at the dining table with his wife was beyond madness.

Daniel was convinced that Brad had lost his mind.

Jean couldn't bear the sight of Brad getting admonished and quickly came to his defense, "No, Mr. Hamilton, you've got it all wrong. This isn't Brad's fault; it's mine.

"I couldn't stop pining over him, and I wanted to come by to see him. I ended up staying longer than I expected, and I couldn't turn Mrs. Hamilton down when she asked me to stay for dinner.

"I should have said no."

As she said this, she stood up and bowed her head at Daniel in apology. "I'm sorry, Mr. Hamilton. I didn't mean to cause you so much trouble. I promise I won't show up here ever again!"

Jean bolted out of the dining room with her hands covering her face.

Brad shot to his feet and made to chase after Jean when he saw her leaving the room tearfully.

Furious at this, Daniel shouted after Brad, "If you take even one step out of that door, Brad, I will disown you!"

Alas, Daniel's warning fell on deaf ears, for Brad dashed after Jean and went out of sight.

Meanwhile, Nadine remained in her seat and watched Brad leave, her gaze devoid of warmth.