I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 124

Chapter 124

Peter’s father, Gabriel Henderson, coldly asked, “Where are you right now?”

“At the hospital, Dad.”

“With whom?”

“Lauren,” Peter answered.

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Gabriel was silent for two seconds. “Get back home right now. I don’t want to repeat myself.” Peter stared at his phone in disbelief after the call ended, wondering why Gabriel was so angry.

“Lauren, I’m sorry. My dad is looking for me. I-”

Lauren gave a knowing smile. “It’s okay. Go ahead and take care of your things.”

She clutched the medical report tightly in her bag, silently hoping Peter would leave as soon as possible.

“I’m really sorry,” Peter said apologetically before turning and walking away.

Peter rushed back to the Henderson residence. As soon as he entered the living room, Gabriel slapped him across the face before he could say anything.

The slap was full force, almost knocking Peter off his feet. “What the hell, Dad?”

Gabriel had never hit him once he reached adulthood. But that day…

Gabriel’s expression was extremely dark. “Answer me. What enemies did you make out there?”

“What enemies could I have made?” Peter was completely confused.

Helen didn’t defend him. “All our factories were suddenly inspected an hour ago. They ordered a shutdown for rectification. Your dad inquired, and they vaguely implied that it’s because of you.”

They wouldn’t reveal the full truth, only hinting to Gabriel that Peter shouldn’t have messed with certain people.

“Our inventory is locked down for months! Do you know how much we’ll lose?” Gabriel scolded. ” Who exactly did you offend?”

The Henderson family was in the pharmaceutical packaging business.

Paper was prone to rot, and storage was costly. Especially in the humid south, leaving inventory for

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Chapter 124

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months meant that it was all ruined.

“I have no idea!” Peter was baffled. “I just went with Lauren to the hospital today. I didn’t do anything else!”

Gabriel held back his anger and continued to investigate who Peter had offended, so they could . apologize. At the very least, they had to protect the business.

Thus, Peter obediently stayed home, too distracted to comfort Lauren.

By S:30 pm, Gabriel descended the stairs, his expression grim.

Helen hurriedly asked, “Did you find out anything?”

Gabriel fixed his gaze on Peter. “Who is Rhea Ravelle?”

Peter froze. “S–She’s Carter’s wife. What about her?”

“Did you insult her today?”

Gabriel had spent hours asking around and spending money to figure out exactly what Peter had done. The informant only said, “Rhea isn’t someone Peter can casually insult.”

Gabriel didn’t know Rhea, but Peter certainly did.

Upon hearing that, Helen couldn’t help but slap Peter again. “I told you today to stay out of other people’s family affairs!”

Peter wasn’t angry at the slap. He was just stunned. “I… W–Who exactly is she?”

All he did that day was make a few complaints about Rhea in front of Lauren at the hospital. He couldn’t believe that someone had actually overheard, and his entire family was now being dragged into it.

Gabriel wasn’t curious about Rhea’s exact background. He only knew that she had a background the Henderson family couldn’t mess with.

“Go apologize now! And promise me you’ll have nothing to do with Lauren ever again!” Gabriel made his decision instantly.

Peter took a half–step back. “Dad, Lauren’s really pitiful. Rhea stole her fiance and took her two kids

Before he could finish speaking, Gabriel slapped him across the face again.

Gabriel’s anger erupted completely, so the strike was heavy. He barked, “Do you want our whole family to go down with you?”

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Chapter 124

Peter felt a mix of frustration and anger, but above all, confusion.

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Rhea was supposedly just a woman from a small town. So, how could she have such power to shut down all the Henderson family’s factories?

Clutching his phone, Peter stormed out of the house.

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