Please Give Me Another Chance, Mrs. Hamilton novel Chapter 12

Nadine was suddenly reminded of how cruel the world could be to a woman who did not stand her ground.

She had treated Evelyn and Gigi like her own family, and how had they repaid her genuine kindness? By inviting Jean over and treating Nadine like she was no better than a pest.

If that were the case, Nadine saw no point in treating them like her own kin anymore.

She thought she had been well within her rights to call Gigi a giant log after the latter complained of her "yapping".

The housekeeping staff on the sidelines immediately knew what Nadine meant. They had to look down and bite on their lips to keep from laughing out loud.

Some of them didn't get the joke at first, but they struggled to contain their laughter when they did.

The insult would have flown over Gigi's head if she hadn't heard the housekeeping staff's suppressed laughter and finally cracked the meaning behind Nadine's retort.

Nadine had implied that Gigi was as dumb as a log.

Flying into a rage, Gigi pointed at Nadine and seethed, "You bitch! How dare you call me stupid! I'll rip your throat out for that!"

She was fuming as she shrugged off Evelyn's hold on her and stormed up to Nadine. She raised a hand, ready to slap Nadine.

However, Nadine caught Gigi's wrist in time and narrowly avoided the assault.

Unable to move her right hand, Gigi raised her left one and attempted to slap Nadine a second time.

Nadine did not give her the chance to do so. With two hands, she wrenched Gigi's wrist until the pain silenced the latter and made all the blood drain from her face.

Wincing, Gigi hissed, "You wicked bitch! Did you have to go so far just because I called you names?"

Nadine did not let go of Gigi's wrist and merely stared at her ferociously.

She had lost count of the times Gigi had picked on her since she married Brad five years ago. Her behavior today was a warning to Gigi that she was not a pushover.

Evelyn was relieved that Gigi had not been struck.

She glared at Nadine and asked sourly, "What do you think you're playing at, Nadine? Are you so high and mighty that you can't take some criticism from Gigi?"

Evelyn was furious that Nadine would resort to using violence against Gigi. Nadine was getting more out of hand after Adam sided with her, which made Evelyn's blood boil.

She decided it was time to put Nadine in her place.

In the past, Nadine would have tried to maintain some modicum of peace within the family even if it meant putting up with Evelyn's condescension.

After all, Evelyn was Brad's mother. It was Nadine's obligation to respect and take care of Evelyn as she would her own mother.

But Nadine had enough of putting up with Evelyn's nonsense and contempt. Today, she would stand up for herself.

Her knifelike gaze fell on Evelyn as she countered, "Criticism? Gigi blatantly insulted me, and everyone here can testify that I was merely responding to her snide remark.

"Did you think I would keep quiet after being called a bitch? You said I was high and mighty; I think it's because you feel so inferior that you have to put me down to feel better about yourself."

Nadine did not hold back. She did not care that she had crossed a line with Evelyn and Gigi today. She saw no need to spare them the admonishment.

Evelyn tried to argue, but no words came out of her mouth.

Gigi was in so much pain that she couldn't even speak. She stared at Nadine with wide eyes, silently pleading with her to let go.

Unfortunately for Gigi, Nadine ignored the plea in her eyes.

Nadine turned to smile at Adam as she suggested, "Grandpa, I think you were right when you said Gigi is far too spoiled. Giving her a time-out might not be an adequate punishment for her.

"Perhaps you should have her write lines instead. Mrs. Hamilton will be celebrating her birthday soon, writing lines could help calm Gigi's temper and straighten her out before the big event."

Gigi wouldn't suffer in a time-out. At worst, she would only have to go to bed without supper.