CHAPTER 93: CHAPTER 93: LOCKED IN THE ANCESTRAL HALL

The Vaughn Group has always advocated Western medicine, yet Ann Vaughn secretly bought back the clinic left by the old man years ago and even opened it.

Isn’t this a blatant slap in their face?!

As she spoke, Jade Shepherd angrily walked up to Ann Vaughn, raising her hand viciously to slap her face!

Ann Vaughn’s bright eyes narrowed, raising her hand to intercept Jade Shepherd’s striking arm.

"How did I give birth to such a rebellious monster like you!" Seeing her dare to resist made Jade Shepherd even angrier, and her otherwise proper-looking face contorted.

"Look at your sister and then look at you. Her health is poor yet she helps us manage the company and researches pharmaceuticals, but what about you?!"

"Truly shameless! You may not care about your reputation but our family does. Are you only happy when you make us suffer? You wicked wretch, I should’ve strangled you at birth to save us from this misery!"

"I’m warning you, if you continue to use the Vaughn Family’s name to promote this rotten traditional medicine, I’ll kick you out of the family!"

Jade Shepherd’s face turned extremely ugly, looking at Ann Vaughn with disgust and loathing, yet her hand was held back, or she would’ve disfigured Ann Vaughn’s face.

To see if she dares to show her face outside, disgracing the Vaughns!

The barrage of accusations and curses seemed to rain down on Ann Vaughn, causing a ringing in her ears, her tightly pressed red lips hinting at endurance.

The guests who hadn’t been driven away by Jade Shepherd’s bodyguards listened in disbelief.

Those unaware might think Doctor Vaughn committed some heinous act to be scolded like this by her own mother.

If Vaughn Clinic is constantly disrupted like this, who will dare come for treatment in the future?

Ann Vaughn told herself not to care, yet when Jade Shepherd spoke, she couldn’t help but feel a sour ache in her eyes.

This woman before her is the mother she always longed to cuddle with, to confide in when feeling wronged, to come home and ask for food and receive a meal she cooked herself. Her most cherished mother.

"If you came for this, I can clearly tell you the clinic has never used the Vaughn Family’s name to gain fame since it opened. I haven’t even mentioned I’m a daughter of the Vaughn Family."

Ann Vaughn swallowed hard against the bitterness in her throat, saying to Jade Shepherd with difficulty, "Moreover, I am an adult, I’ll take responsibility for my actions, and I know what’s right and wrong."

"You dare talk back!" Jade Shepherd was even more infuriated, her chest heaving with anger, pulling back her arm from Ann Vaughn and attempting to strike again!

This time, Howard Vaughn, who hadn’t yet spoken, stopped her, "That’s enough, don’t let outsiders laugh at us."

He then looked at Ann Vaughn, confronting Howard Vaughn, an absolute authority in the Vaughn Family, unlike Jade Shepherd’s impulsiveness. Ann Vaughn felt a deeply ingrained fear.

"Annie, as your mother-in-law told me, you haven’t been home for a long time. We won’t hold it against you, as we’re visiting the Hawthorne Family. You should come with us."

Upon hearing this, Ann Vaughn frowned, her bright eyes reflecting resistance.

She didn’t want to go back.

But staying here, who knows what Jade Shepherd might say or do, she couldn’t implicate the small clinic.

Thinking thus, Ann Vaughn compromised.

Along the way, no matter how Jade Shepherd taunted or threatened, Ann Vaughn remained silent, simply watching the scenery outside the window.

After getting out of the car, Jade Shepherd pushed Ann Vaughn from behind, warning her in a hushed tone, "When we get inside, sincerely admit your mistakes. Whatever Mrs. Hawthorne asks of you, comply, you hear me?"

Ann Vaughn abruptly pushed, nearly missing a step on the stairs, her heart pounding wildly, her red lips tightly pressed.

Just as she reached the entrance of the Hawthorne Family’s villa, Laura Quinn appeared from inside, wearing a dark purple silk qipao with a light shawl draped over her shoulders, exuding the pride of a noblewoman.

She stood on the topmost step, looking at Ann Vaughn with contempt, clearly displaying her intention not to let her in.

"Oh, you know to come back? I stated before, anyone daring to dabble in the harmful ways of traditional medicine should get out of the Hawthorne Family! It’s been less than half a year, and has your memory fed to the dogs?"

Jade Shepherd and Howard Vaughn’s expressions weren’t pleasant upon hearing this, angry yet unable to retaliate against Laura Quinn.

The Vaughn Family pales in comparison to the Hawthorne Family, at an incomparable level.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t have gone through such lengths for Ann Vaughn’s marriage, just to connect with this genuine aristocratic family.

"Mrs. Hawthorne, if Annie has done anything wrong, displeasing you, feel free to punish her. It’s our fault as parents for not teaching her well, leading her to behave this way."

Jade Shepherd smiled ingratiatingly, secretly pinching Ann Vaughn’s arm, whispering, "Hurry up and apologize to Mrs. Hawthorne."

Ann Vaughn’s hand at her side gradually clenched, her bright eyes showing a faint self-mockery.

Turns out the visit was a sham, forcing her to capitulate and admit wrongdoing was the truth.

"You’ve raised such a great daughter; to observe propriety and tend to household chores she’s learned nothing, but she excels at embarrassing our Hawthorne Family in public."

Laura Quinn held contempt for everyone in the Vaughn Family except Cynthia Vaughn, naturally unwilling to give face to Jade Shepherd and Howard Vaughn.

Hearing this, Jade Shepherd and Howard Vaughn’s faces turned hot, unable to refute, harboring resentment towards this daughter of theirs.

If only she could make them proud, they wouldn’t be subjected to Laura Quinn’s ridicule today.

Afterward, Laura Quinn added, "No need for apologies or making amends, I’m not unreasonable. As long as she voluntarily drops out of school, quits that program, and kneels in the courtyard for two hours, I’ll let bygones be bygones."

Such reasonable terms.

Yet the conditions proposed are all deliberately harsh and cruel, intent on crushing Ann Vaughn’s dignity underfoot.

Ann Vaughn took a deep breath, enduring the sour pain and resentment in her chest, about to refuse Laura Quinn, when Jade Shepherd’s pleased voice sounded.

"Quickly agree! Mrs. Hawthorne is magnanimous enough to forgive you, don’t act high and mighty and implicate us!"

Her heart suddenly suffered a severe pang.

Ann Vaughn’s face paled, seeing Jade Shepherd’s delighted and sycophantic expression, the warmth from her body gradually faded away.

"I won’t agree." She spoke hoarsely, "I won’t agree to any condition."

"I haven’t done anything wrong, why should I apologize or make amends, even question myself? I am a person, not an object to be moved around at will."

With each word she uttered, Laura Quinn’s face turned more unpleasant, angrily watching Ann Vaughn’s stubborn face.

The more she looked, the more furious she became.

The Hawthorne Family didn’t marry a daughter-in-law, they clearly brought a goddess home, and even dared to defy her!

She should have burned all her junk back then, better yet throw her out, to never be troubled again!

"You think just because the old man supports you, I don’t dare lay a hand on you? Come, lock this woman in the shrine, without my permission, no one is allowed to let her out!"

Shrine?!

Upon hearing these words, Ann Vaughn’s shoulders trembled slightly, her lips losing color.