Broken Memories, Intertwined Hearts novel Chapter 355

"He's got no one to blame but himself. He's been taken for a ride before, and after all these years, he still hasn't learned." Phillip lectured, giving Ethan another slap.

Ines fell silent, knowing Phillip was referring to the incident years ago when Ethan's architectural blueprints had been switched, leading to a construction disaster.

"Phillip, that's all water under the bridge now. I didn't mind about what happened a few days ago." Ines said. Who would have thought Silvia could take advantage of that situation. It was impossible to guard against such a thing.

"Izzy, you don’t need to defend him. If he can’t protect his own family, what else can he do?" Phillip said. Ines saw the disappointment in Ethan's eyes and her heart ached. She wanted to comfort Ethan but was stopped by the silent Erica, "Izzy, in the Meyer family, if you mess up, you pay the price. No exceptions. Ethan is a man. He can take a hit. Go have dinner."

Hearing this, Ines burst into tears and whispered, "Erica."

Seeing her like this, Erica felt reassured. The most innocent person in this situation was Ines, but now she was completely protective of Ethan. Clearly, she cared deeply for him. What hurdle couldn't this couple overcome? Erica's heart, which had been shocked by the news, gradually calmed down.

"It's okay, Izzy." Erica gave Ines a comforting smile.

It was then Ethan finally spoke. He broke into a small grin and said lightly, "Izzy, go have your meal and don't worry about me. I'm not hurting."

No sooner had he finished his sentence than Phillip landed another blow, growling, "Still laughing, huh? Seems like I haven't hit you hard enough."

Seeing this, Ines lost her cool. She broke free from Erica and stepped in front of Ethan, spreading her arms, "Phillip, if you want to hit him, you'll have to hit me too, and your great-grandchild."

Phillip stared at Ines in surprise, "Izzy, what are you doing? Move away, I need to teach this punk a lesson."

Ines shook her head resolutely and knelt beside Ethan.

Phillip, seeing Ines' determination, could only bark at Ashley who was standing not too far away, "Ashley, come over here and pull Ines away."

Ashley rolled her eyes, feeling somewhat responsible for the situation herself, and didn't move.

"Ashley, are you looking for a beating too? Not even listening to me?" Phillip roared at Ashley. He seemed genuinely angry now, not the usual indulgent and helpless tone.

Knowing it wasn't her place to be here, Ashley shrugged and said, "I'm not involved in this, you guys handle it." With that, she walked upstairs, leaving the drama behind.

"Kids these days have no respect at all. They grow up and think they don't need any discipline." Phillip huffed while his face was turning red. He tossed his cane aside with chest heaving with anger.

Erica, concerned about Phillip's health, could only help Ines up and whispered, "Izzy, Phillip's not in good shape. Don't make him angry. Go have dinner with me, don’t worry. He's Ethan's grandfather. He won't really hurt him."

Ines hesitated, unsure of what to do. She glanced at Erica, then at Phillip, noticing his complexion was indeed worse than usual.

"Izzy, go have dinner with my mom, I'm fine." Ethan reassured her without his previous smile, instead giving her a nod.

"I'm fine." Ethan said.

Phillip grumbled when he saw Ines was completely focused on Ethan and didn’t pay him no mind, "Can't you just eat your dinner? Am I really that heartless to seriously harm him?"

Ines rolled her eyes, bowed her head, and said nothing.

"I'm punishing him for you, and yet you're still complaining about me." Phillip muttered, feeling like he just couldn't win with her.

"I didn't mean it like that." Ines protested weakly.

"Look at you, your face is clearly full of discontent." Phillip pointed at Ines's face.

Ines had been a part of the Meyer family for nearly a year now, and her interactions with the members of the family were becoming more natural, no longer as stiff as they were in the beginning.

She pouted, her voice neither too loud nor too soft, and with a matter-of-fact tone, she said, "Of course I'm upset when my husband gets beaten up."

Erica couldn't help but laugh, and Phillip cracked a smile, though his tone remained serious, "So you're still blaming me, aren't you?"

"No." Ines responded gloomily. Ethan gently stroked Ines's hair, his mood quite good.