Against Cruelty, She Grew Strong (by Anastasia Glover) novel Chapter 140

140 Psychological Issues

“Barry! Stop right there! Explain yourself right now!”

Their quarrels were a constant, never-ending storm. Jasper happened to witness yet another heated exchange as he pushed the door open.

The moment he appeared, Barry and Marilyn instantly fell silent, their voices cut off like a snapped string.

Before their only son, they no longer acted like parents but more like uneasy subordinates, shrinking under his gaze.

Jasper paid no mind to their argument. He strode past them, his eyes fixing on Minnie, whose red-rimmed eyes betrayed her sleepless nights. His voice was calm but firm, “Come upstairs with me.”

Minnie’s breath hitched, a sob caught in her throat, but she obediently followed him upward.

Barry, feeling completely ignored by Jasper’s cold dismissal, clenched his jaw in frustration and turned to leave without a word.

Marilyn’s nose twitched as tears welled up, and she hastily covered her face, unable to hold back the flood of emotions.

In the quiet study, the air thick with tension, Jasper handed Minnie a card. “This is your grandfather’s betrothal gift.”

Minnie grasped at the last thread of hope she had left. “I don’t want to marry Leon. Please, you have to help me.”

Leaning back slowly, Jasper propped his chin on his palm, a faint, almost mocking smile tugging at his lips. “So, you know he’s a scumbag, huh?”

Her breath caught painfully, and she dared not meet his eyes.

He cut her off sharply, sneering, “Since you dared to act on your own, you have to face the consequences.”

She swallowed her protests, the weight of hopelessness pressing down on her. With a trembling hand, she looked at the card again, clinging to a faint glimmer of expectation. “How much did Grandpa give me?”

“Eight million. Plus a residence.”

For an ordinary family, that sum would be enormous, but within the vast Jackson empire, it was barely enough to be considered decent.

Minnie blurted out, “That’s all?”

Instant regret washed over her as soon as the words left her mouth.

Jasper snatched the card back, his tone icy. “If you’re not satisfied, then don’t take it.”

“That’s not what I meant…” she tried to explain.

“Too late.”

He had already reclaimed the dowry from her grandfather’s account, with no intention of returning it.

“Your confinement continues until the wedding ceremony. You can delegate any tasks to the maid.”

Minnie felt herself unraveling. Overcome by anguish, she shouted, “I’m already like this! Why are you treating me like this? Do I even matter to you as your sister?”

Jasper’s footsteps halted. A flicker of sarcasm darkened his handsome, indifferent face. “You didn’t grow up with me, did you? Maybe your memory’s failing.”

Her face tightened with confusion and hurt. “What are you talking about?”

“Figure it out yourself.”

He pushed the door open and just before stepping out, tossed a final remark over his shoulder, “You should be grateful she wasn’t harmed.”

Minnie was left standing there, stunned and confused, her mind racing.

What did he mean by that? Why was he so concerned about that woman named Cindy?

Downstairs, Jasper glanced at his mother sitting silently on the sofa, her posture defeated and quiet. After a long pause, he spoke abruptly, “You can leave.”

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