The Man Who Waited vs. The Man Who Wasted novel Chapter 146

A wave of nausea hit her.

The metallic taste triggered her morning sickness, making her want to violently throw up.

Jocelyn fought it down, swallowing hard.

She stared dead-eyed at Caleb.

"You're technically an elder, so hitting you back would make me look bad. Which means... I'm just going to have to take it out on her."

The words had barely left her mouth.

Smack! Smack!

Two sharp, deafening slaps cracked across Audrey's face, executed with brutal precision.

Audrey saw stars. Her brain completely short-circuited.

Caleb’s face contorted with rage. His thick hands shot out, his fingers bruising the skin as they clamped around Jocelyn’s throat.

"You've got a death wish, bitch!"

Jocelyn didn't even flinch.

She was a hundred percent certain Caleb wasn't stupid enough to actually strangle her to death in a crowded hospital room.

Adrian was still standing frozen by the door.

Looking at her fearless eyes and her bruised, swollen cheek, he felt a painful lump form in his throat.

"Mr. Preston..."

"Well, this looks like a fun party."

Someone beat Adrian to the punch.

Adrian stared in disbelief at the two people strolling into the room.

"Mr. Bancroft?"

It was Liam Bancroft, and right beside him was Sarah.

Liam didn't even glance in Adrian's direction. He walked straight toward Jocelyn.

His eyes scanned her bruised face, then locked onto the hands wrapping around her neck. His expression instantly turned murderous, accompanied by a terrifyingly cold smile.

"Mr. Preston, be a good boy and take your paws off her."

Caleb wasn't about to back down and lose face in front of everyone.

Liam's hand clamped onto Caleb's wrist. His fingers clamped down like a hydraulic press.

"In my world, age doesn't earn you a free pass. I respect people who deserve respect. If you don't deserve it, you're nothing but trash to me."

"Mr. Preston, you've got one foot in the grave already. Why are you throwing temper tantrums like a spoiled toddler?"

"And you! You absolute shrew! Look at your pinched, bitter face! You're the textbook definition of a toxic mother-in-law. Just looking at you makes me sick!"

"How dare you!" Michelle shrieked, losing her mind. "You classless, foul-mouthed trash! Did your parents teach you nothing about respecting your elders?!"

"Respecting my elders?" Sarah fired right back. "You know you're old, right? You've got one foot in the grave, and instead of enjoying the time you have left, you're spending it being an abusive tyrant!"

Michelle raised her hand, fully intending to strike Sarah.

Jocelyn tried to pull Sarah out of the way.

The slap never reached Sarah's face.

Nor did it hit Jocelyn.

Because Liam caught it.

Liam grabbed Michelle's wrist and shoved her back hard.

Michelle stumbled backward, losing her balance.

Adrian lunged forward to catch her.

But he was too slow.

Michelle hit the hard hospital floor right on her tailbone.