Chapter 593
The young couple, Nydia and Jason, didn’t dare to delay. They hustled to the hospital with all the speed
they could muster.
As Nydia gripped Jason’s hand, they reached the hospital room door only to hear the unmistakable
shouting of Cedric, the proverbial old dog that just couldn’t learn new tricks. His voice boomed through
the walls, mingled with Mrs. Dempsey’s sobs.
“Dad! Mom! I have hit rock bottom, all because of Jason, the backstabber! He’s supposed to be part of
the Dempseys, my own flesh and blood! Did you see what he pulled off in court? That’s no way to treat
family! He’s in cahoots with the Ashbournes, playing right into their hands! And he’s thrown me, his
own brother, under the bus! I’m telling you, he’s gonna be the death of me do you hear?”
Cedric was swearing like a sailor, his voice sharp and grating, barely recognizable as the once–
glamorous Lawyer Cedric,
A silent rage ignited within Jason, his jaw clenching so tightly his knuckles turned white.
Nydia heard every word, her gaze burning into Jason’s reddened eyes as she shook her head slightly,
urging him to keep his cool.
“Dad! You’ve slaved away for the Ashbourne family all your life, and now they’re using your precious
son like a pack mule! They’re manipulating him with their illegitimate daughter, leading him by the nose
and stirring up trouble in our family!”
Cedric’s voice was shrill and uncontrolled with anger. “After you stepped down, I brought the Dempseys
back from the brink. And now, Thaddeus and Evadne have ruined everything! And that fool Jason still
can’t see the forest for the trees, shamelessly cozying up to the Ashbournes. That girl’s just playing him
until she can climb higher and kick him to the curb! He doesn’t even see it he’s not in her league! How
could he ever match up to an Ashbourne?”
His words were a barrage of insults, tearing Nydia’s tender heart to shreds, a thousand pains entwined
with a profound sense of injustice, making her feel small and useless.
Jason’s family, an unending source of conflict, and she was at the heart of it.
Had she really been such a curse on his otherwise tranquil life? She felt so inadequate.
“That son of a gun!” Jason could stand it no longer. With an intense fury, he burst through the door!
Though both sons of the same parents, Cedric had always been jealous of his charming, intelligent
younger brother, and had never missed an opportunity to put him down.
Anything Jason said, Cedric contradicted; any ambition Jason had, Cedric opposed, always mocking
and belittling him. He cloaked his bullying in the guise of brotherly concern, but it was nothing short of
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtemotional tyranny.
For years, Jason had borne it for the sake of familial blood and to spare his parents worry.
But now Cedric dared to insult the woman he loved. If he held back now, what kind of man would he
be?
“Jason! Don’t…” Nydia’s heart clenched, but it was too late to stop him.
The heavy thud of the door swinging open shocked everyone in the Dempsey family!
It was a wake–up call, a jolt to the system that made headaches and tears vanish in an instant.
“Cedric! Shut your damn mouth!”
Jason glared at his brother’s ridiculous, bandaged head, which resembled a garlic bulb, but his eyes
were devoid of humor, only a tumultuous anger, “If you dare speak against Nydia again, your head will
suffer more than just a concussion. Mark my words!”
“Did I say anything wrong?” Cedric’s lip quivered, and he looked desperately to his father for protection.
At over thirty years old, still running to daddy for help – a sight that would make anyone laugh out loud!
“Nydia and I love each other truly, and your accusations are nothing but slander and lies!”
Jason’s voice was firm and filled with righteous indignation, echoing as if they were back in a courtroom
in fierce debate, “Everything I’ve done has been out of my own free will, no one forced or coerced me! I
stand with Miss Evadne and Mr. Thaddeus because they speak up for the less fortunate, they have
integrity and walk the path of righteousness! Unlike you, with your self–serving ways, contributing to
injustice! You brought this upon yourself, reaping the consequences of your misdeeds!”
“Dad! Mom! Listen to what he’s saying..”
Cedric’s bravado deflated in front of Jason, and he turned to play the victim to their parents, trying to
whitewash his own actions and pressure Jason, “Jason, I know you want to impress your girlfriend, and
I know you’re trying to curry favor with the
your own family! I’m your brother, from the same womb. How can you forsake brotherly love for
Ashbournes. But you can’t betre
a woman?”
The blatant quarrel reached Nydia’s ears as she stood outside, feeling an icy chill spread throughout
her body.
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Chapter 593
Hearing about being used and played, Mrs. Dempsey was overcome, her face turning pale as she
clutched her chest, struggling to breathe. “What sins have we committed to deserve such misfortune?”
Cedric tried to comfort his mother while continuing to drive a wedge, playing the victim, “Jason, I
understand you want to please your girlfriend, and I know you want to win over the Ashbournes. But at
what cost to your own brother? I’m your brother, your own kin. How can you turn your back on family
for the sake of a woman?”
Jason’s chest was burning with rage, the kind of fire that crackles and pops. He was just about to
speak when Dave, who had kept a stoic silence until now, suddenly said,
“Jason, is Ms. Ashbourne right outside the door? She’s Chairman Emeric’s daughter, a distinguished
guest indeed. It’s not right to keep a lady waiting. Invite her in, will you?”
“Dave!” Mrs. Dempsey’s brow furrowed, her displeasure clear as day.
Jason knew all too well that his parents didn’t take to Nydia. Despite their lengthy relationship, his folks
had never once expressed a wish to meet her.
But now, his father was giving in, and how could Jason not be overjoyed?
He dashed outside, took Nydia’s trembling hand with a smile of pure bliss, and ushered her in, radiant
with joy. He felt like Jay Gatsby finally winning the heart of his beloved Daisy.
Dave’s gaze was fixed on Jason, his frown deepening.
His son was clearly wrapped around Ms. Nydia’s little finger. As a man, he couldn’t miss the thick, hot
love in Jason’s eyes.
“Mr. Dempsey, Mrs. Dempsey, how do you do?” Nydia said, releasing Jason’s hand and curtsying with
grace and composure, her demeanor demure and well–mannered. It was apparent she was well–bred,
raised excellently by Chairman Emeric and Mrs. Myra. The speech Dave had prepared seemed to stick
in his throat upon seeing Nydia. It felt almost too cruel, whatever he might say, to this porcelain–doll–
like beauty.
“Mrs. Dempsey, how are you feeling? Any better?” Nydia suppressed her sadness and mustered the
brightest of smiles, her voice a soft whisper, ingratiating, “I heard you were ill, and Jason came right
over to see you. It shows how much he cares. If you don’t mind, I’d like to take care of you for the next
few days. Whatever you crave, be it soup, a cooked meal, or even pastries, I can manage.”
Jason watched, his heart swelling with a sour ache, and he pulled her closer, his embrace tightening.
He was in anguish.
Anguished that she was bending over backward to please his family, all to leave a good impression.
She was his precious gem, and yet, at this moment, he felt like he was demeaning her.
Mrs. Dempsey, initially flattered by the attentions of the Ashbourne heiress, now saw her son’s affection
for this girl as nothing more than a ploy to win hearts and seduce her son, not genuine at all!
The next second, Mrs. Dempsey scoffed, “Oh, Ms. Nydia, no need to trouble yourself. My son has hired
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏma professional caregiver for me. You, with your delicate upbringing, unused to menial tasks, attending
to me? I wouldn’t want to shorten my lifespan because
of it.”
Nydia’s breath hitched, her lips trembling, her cheeks flushing with humiliation.
“Mom! Nydia means well. Even if you don’t appreciate it, you shouldn’t say such hurtful things!” Jason’s
brow lifted in defense, his grip on Nydia’s waist tightening.
“What did I say? What have I done? Don’t I even have the right to speak anymore?”
Mrs. Dempsey’s eyes reddened with anger, and she struck the bed in frustration, “She hasn’t even fully
stepped into our family, and you’ve already cast aside the mother who bore and raised you?”
“Mom. Please, don’t get upset, you’ve just been through a lot!” Cedric consoled, patting her back,
playing the dutiful son.
Dave sat on the couch, witnessing his wife’s tirade against Nydia. He opened his mouth several times,
hesitating, but he didn’t
intervene.
Mrs. Dempsey clutched her chest, her gaze cutting across Nydia’s delicate complexion like a blade,
“Ms. Nydia, there are things ! meant to discuss with you in private, but since you’re here today, I’ll be
blunt. I do not approve of you and Jason being together.”
Nydia stood rigidly, her slender back straight as an arrow, feeling as though struck by lightning,
overwhelmed by an immense sense of humiliation.
“Mom!” Jason’s voice was hoarse with emotion.
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Chapter 593
“I may have three sons, but Jason is the apple of my eye, my most cherished. In choosing a future
daughter–in–law, I don’t ask for a superior lineage or a powerful background. I just want an honest,
kind, and simple girl. With her, I can let my guard down, not worry about him being used or
manipulated. I won’t have to feel inferior in her family’s presence or be treated like a servant without
dignity.”
“Enough! Don’t say another word!”
Jason couldn’t bear it any longer. He grabbed Nydia’s cold hand, intending to leave, “Nydia, don’t listen
to her, come with me!” But no matter how hard he pulled, she wouldn’t budge.
Mrs. Dempsey didn’t stop, continuing with her cruel words, “In your world, Jason is just a subordinate, a
tool for obedience. But to me, he is a treasure of the Dempsey family! Let’s just admit that the
Dempsey family is out of your league, Ms. Nydia. Please, let go of my son, will you?”