CHAPTER 323: JEANNE’S DEMAND

Jeanne stumbled inside the mansion, her makeup smeared, eyes red with tears. Her sobs carried through the marble corridors, startling the servants who rushed to peek from the corners.

"Dad, where are you?" Her wails echoed inside the hall. "I’m ruined... my marriage is over." Her knees buckled, and she sank onto the floor.

Hearing the commotion, Dimitri emerged from his room. The sight froze him in place—Jeanne, usually so poised, now a wreck, crying her eyes out, hitting her chest.

"What’s going on?" He moved toward her, alarmed.

Between sobs, Jeanne gasped, "Dad... Gabriel cheated on me. Tania is pregnant with his child." A fresh wave of tears welled up in her eyes. "My life is ruined. How can I face anyone now? My husband has a mistress."

The servants exchanged uneasy glances from the shadows, whispering among themselves. Dimitri’s sharp eyes caught them, his jaw tightening with irritation. With a curt nod, he signaled the butler.

"Clear the hall," the butler instructed firmly, ushering the staff away.

When everyone left, Dimitri looked back at Jeanne with a scowl.

"Enough," he scolded. "Control yourself. Do you realize the scene you just made? Everyone was watching. Such a shameful matter, and you shout it out for the entire house to hear?"

His cold words worsened Jeanne’s already broken state.

"You still care about the family reputation?" she spat, glaring at the old man with disbelief.

Her eyes, swollen from tears, now blazed with rage. "Your son made a woman pregnant. At his age, he should be playing with his grandchild, not screwing around with a woman half his age. And you—"

She staggered to her feet and jabbed a trembling finger at Dimitri. "You want me to keep my mouth shut for the family’s image?"

Her chest heaved with resentment.

"You should have stood by me. I showed you the photographs. You promised me you would talk to him and take necessary actions. But you did nothing. And now—things have gone too far. There is no chance for us to get back together."

Dimitri’s stern face remained unreadable, though the lines on his forehead tightened.

Jeanne inhaled deeply as she tried to regain her composure. Lifting her chin, she stated sternly, "I can’t stay with a man who cheated on me. I want a divorce. And as alimony—" she paused, directing her unwavering glare at the old man, "I want all his properties."

At her demand, Dimitri’s patience snapped, his frown carving deep into his features. "You want to end your marriage over a fling? That woman is nothing but a distraction. Gabriel will not divorce you. Don’t be reckless, Jeanne. We’ll talk to him—he will listen to me."

Jeanne’s lips twitched into a bitter smile, but her eyes shimmered with tears.

"Don’t trust her," Dimitri pressed. "You know what kind of woman she is. You know what she has done. Don’t let her tricks ruin everything."

Jeanne’s fists trembled at her sides, her cheeks flushed red from anger.

"I don’t care who he sleeps with and how many children he produces outside. I can’t be with him any longer. His face makes me sick. But I’ll make him pay for betraying me."

She was determined, ready to strike back.

With an unyielding resolve, she added, "And to secure my son’s future, I want him to hand over the company to Denis. He is old now—time to retire. He should step down from the chairman’s position. After that, he can stay with anyone he likes."

Her fury had twisted into a chilling confidence. In her mind, she already saw Gabriel’s fall.

The incident that had happened in front of the hospital today would soon become the talk of the city, tarnishing Gabriel’s name. The public would scorn him and his mistress. The scandal would stir outrage among the board members and pressure Gabriel to relinquish his position.

It was the perfect opening for Denis to rise and claim his place.

Every move had been carefully thought out, executed with icy precision. She believed her plan was flawless, her victory inevitable.

But across from her, Dimitri’s expression clouded with worry. He was well aware that Gabriel would never agree to her terms. He could already see Jeanne walking straight into peril, and the thought unsettled him deeply.

He longed to reason with her, to ease her anger and make her see sense, but she stubbornly resisted, unwilling to hear him out.

"You know that’s not possible," Dimitri said, trying to calm her down. "His hold in the company is too strong. It’s not easy to make him surrender his position. He won’t do that."

He drew in a slow breath, tightening his hold on the cane. "It’s better you stay quiet, and let me handle this matter. If not, you will be in danger."

Jeanne couldn’t believe he was threatening her. "I thought you would help me. But you... you threatened me," she spat, unable to believe the man she once relied on was now standing in her way.

Dimitri opened his mouth to speak, but Jeanne silenced him, raw hostility flashing in her eyes.

"You know what? He is just like you—like father, like son. Both cheaters."

The words pierced Dimitri’s heart, his entire frame stiffening. His eyes flared with a dark, dangerous fire.

But Jeanne was relentless, her resentment pouring out unchecked.

"You cheated on your marriage back then and had a child with your mistress. That’s why Gabriel despised you all his life. He told me he’d never become like you. But look—he followed in your footsteps. He cheated on me. Both of you, shameless..."

All the heartache and injustice she had endured over the years with Gabriel finally lashed out.

"I hate you. I hate Gabriel. And I’ll make you all pay for humiliating me like this."

With that, she stormed out.

Dimitri opened his mouth to call her, but the sudden tightness in his chest choked him. His chest constricted violently, the pain tearing into him. Beads of sweat streamed down his pale forehead as his lips parted, dragging in ragged, shallow breaths.

His cane slipped from his hand, hitting the marble floor with a crack. He staggered back onto the sofa, his face pale. His hand clutched at his chest as he struggled to breathe.

"Master!" The butler’s horrified cry tore through the hall. Seeing Dimitri slumped against the sofa, his face contorted with fear and worry. He rushed forward, his heart pounding in panic.

"W-what’s happening to you?" He leaned closer, fear sending a chill straight down his spine.

Dimitri tried to answer, but only a strained groan escaped. His breaths grew shallower, faster, terrifyingly uneven.

"Hold on, Master. Hold on," the butler stammered. "I’ll bring your medicine."

He darted into the bedroom, yanked open the drawer, and seized the vial. Every second thundered in his ears. He nearly dropped it in his haste as he rushed back.

Dimitri was now slumped sideways, his breath wheezing. The sight almost undid the butler.

"Here—take the medicine." His hands shook as he uncorked the vial, spilling pills into his palm. He slipped them into Dimitri’s mouth and seized a glass of water, pressing it to his lips. "Drink... slowly..."

The old man swallowed with difficulty, the water dribbling slightly down his chin. His breathing remained uneven and frantic. Yet, through the haze of pain, he managed to speak.

"Jeanne is in danger. Call Denis... Take her... to safety... before Gabriel—"

He broke off, another spasm twisting his chest. The butler froze, his heart sinking.

"Master, please," he pleaded. "Don’t push yourself. You need to rest. I’ll call the doctor right away—and don’t worry. I’ll tell Denis everything, I promise. But you must hold on."

His fingers trembled as he snatched his phone, dialing with frantic urgency. "Hello? Doctor, it’s an emergency." His voice shook. "Please—come at once. Master is in terrible pain."

~~~~~~~~~~

At Augustine’s house...

Anne had not returned from work yet. Augustine was stretched out on the bed, his body yet to recover full strength, though his sharp gaze betrayed no sign of weakness as he checked the emails on his phone.

The sound of the door opening drew his attention. And he froze. Then he quickly slipped the phone inside his blanket and closed his eyes, trying to remain still. He thought Anne had returned or the housekeeper might have entered.

But the silent footsteps alarmed him. He heard the click of the door locking securely. His back stiffened as he wondered who had entered the bedroom.

Gustave?

He opened his eyes slightly and saw the familiar tall figure standing by the bed. "Fuck, you scared me," Augustine muttered as he sat up and leaned on the headboard. "Can’t you inform you are coming beforehand?"

Gustave grinned sheepishly. "I wanted to check if you are still as alert as before. How are you feeling today? Did the doctor come to check on you?"

"I’m getting better and sharper," Augustine muttered tightly, his glare as sharp as a blade. "Tell me about how the plan is going."

Gustave’s lips curled into a satisfied smile. "Everything is happening smoothly—just as we planned. We already passed the message to Gabriel that the management of Starlite is about to give in to his demands. He might be flying over the clouds with joy. But..."

His smile faded into a colder expression. "Denis hasn’t stopped investigating you."