Substitute Wife, Genius CEO novel Chapter 159

Xavier's lips pressed into a hard, unforgiving line. "Summer, I said apologize!"

"You want me to apologize to the woman who indirectly caused my father's death? Why don't you ask the people standing around us? Ask my father's friends, his students, his neighbors. Let's see if they agree."

Before Summer even finished speaking, the local townsfolk, along with Edward's former colleagues, friends, and students, surged forward, forming a massive, intimidating wall of over a hundred people right behind Summer.

"You killed the man, and instead of begging his family for forgiveness, you have the nerve to call his daughter vicious? You want the grieving family to apologize to you? That's completely backwards! Where is your humanity?!"

"Exactly! What kind of scum thinks they can waltz into Vance's Grove and start trouble? Do you think just because we're rural folks we'll let you bully us?!"

"Summer, don't you dare apologize. If she's the one who hurt your father, I'll slap her so hard she won't know which way is up!"

"Didn't they say they wanted to pay their respects? Let them get down on their knees and crawl to the memorial."

"Yeah! Make them crawl!"

Seeing the locals erupt in righteous fury, the bodyguards swiftly positioned themselves like a shield in front of Xavier and Lily.

But they were vastly outnumbered. A handful of corporate bodyguards were no match for a mob of angry rural locals.

In the blink of an eye, Xavier and Lily were completely swarmed. The crowd screamed for them to apologize, refusing to let them leave until they did.

Terrified that the mob might bump into Lily, Xavier shot Summer a death glare. "Summer, I will apologize to you. Tell them to back off."

Summer stared directly at Lily's pale face. "I want her to apologize!"

Xavier ground his teeth. "Summer, do not push me."

"Xavier, did Lily's actions indirectly cause my father's death or not? Is it truly asking too much for her to apologize to him? Tell me exactly how I'm out of line. Let everyone here listen to your logic."

There was no way in hell Lily was going to apologize. But trapped in the center of an angry mob, she knew they would never let them leave if she didn't.

So, Lily squeezed her eyes shut and dramatically fainted.

Xavier caught her, his voice trembling with sheer panic. "Lily! Lily!"

"Her treatments are famous around here. One jab and she'll be totally cured. We all go to her when we've got a headache or a fever."

"Lay her flat on the ground. Don't worry, aside from a little mud and some goose droppings, it's perfectly fine."

A thick medical needle? Was it even sanitized? Did this country hick even know what sterilization meant?

And the ground was covered in goose crap?!

Absolutely not!

Lily's entire body began to tremble. Xavier felt it immediately and looked down to see Lily's eyes snapping wide open. She was miraculously awake.

Through gritted teeth, Lily forced out, "I... apologize!"

Summer didn't want to push Lily completely over the edge. If the woman actually had a miscarriage due to the stress, Xavier would likely lose his mind and retaliate against the entire town.

This was a personal war between her and Xavier; dragging innocent people into the crossfire wasn't fair.