I Was His Wife, Then His Widow, Then No One's But My Own novel Chapter 132

It was a beautiful deflection. With perfect precision, she shifted the target right onto Lance, drawing everyone's attention away from her lateness and shining a glaring spotlight on his overstepping.

Alastair Fletcher's heavy gaze landed squarely on Lance. He slammed his cane against the floor twice, the dull thuds echoing through the room.

The dining room fell dead silent. Even the staff pouring wine practically shrank into the corners.

"Enough." Alastair's voice carried an undeniable, crushing authority. "Lance, if you keep making a scene, you can get the hell out."

Lance's eyes widened in disbelief. He stared at the patriarch, his lips trembling before he finally managed to speak.

"Grandfather, what are you saying? This is clearly Nora's fault. Why are you blaming me? I was only speaking up on your behalf!"

Alastair glared at him coldly, his voice vibrating with genuine fury as he hurled a heavy water glass across the room. "I'm not dead yet! I don't need you making decisions for me! Tonight is a family gathering. What are you trying to accomplish by jumping up and down like a fool?"

Lance opened his mouth, but the words died in his throat.

He never imagined the old man would publicly take Nora's side.

His face flushed a mottled red and pale before he finally backed down, slumping into his chair in defeat and downing his drink in a single gulp.

The rest of the table stayed quiet, but resentment simmered in their eyes.

They couldn't stand Alastair showing Nora such blatant favoritism. It infuriated them that this woman, a mere widow and an outsider, could boldly challenge all of them while hiding under the patriarch's protection.

She knew the old man hadn't defended her out of a sense of justice; he did it to protect the Fletcher family's image. A cousin publicly bullying his widowed sister-in-law wasn't exactly a good look for high society.

But none of that mattered. What mattered was that she had shown up, achieved her goal, and made it clear that she was done being anyone's doormat.

She offered a slight bow and raised her glass. "Thank you, Alastair, and thank you, Adelaide. I apologize again for keeping everyone waiting. Let me offer a toast to you both."

She tipped her head back and drained the glass in one smooth motion, turning it upside down to show Alastair it was empty.

Just then, Adelaide Fletcher's cold voice cut through the room. "With all due respect, Dad, you're being far too lenient. Nora was the one in the wrong tonight. As her mother-in-law, I won't tolerate this behavior. Frankly, I think we should thank Lance for trying to uphold the family's standards!"

Raising her voice, she declared, "Dad, I formally request that we invoke the family discipline to punish her!"