Chapter 9: Mudslinging

Alley Houston is shocked as she looks at Janet Cellon, even Brenda Mclean can't hold back her tears.

"Aunt, what are you doing? Are you crazy?"

"Be quiet! If I let that despicable woman stay in the Houston family, you will suffer. I will seek justice tenfold for you."

Janet Cellon whispers into Brenda Mclean's ear and continues to wail. Brenda Mclean suddenly understands something and joins in the chaotic crying. Alley Houston stands still, staring at the two aunt and niece who are acting out their own drama. She gasps in fear and unease. She knows something terrible is about to happen, so she plans to leave as soon as possible.

At that moment...

"Alley Houston, what kind of madness is this?"

Behind Alley Houston, Karimba Cellon returns from somewhere, startled, he rushes into the house and sits down next to Brenda Mclean. Seeing him, Alley Houston doesn't even have time to say a word before he pushes her down to the cold floor. He looks at her with disgust and hatred.

"Are you insane? Why do you take it out on Brenda?"

"I didn't do that!" Alley Houston hastily explains. "Why would I do that?"

"Then, am I hurting myself?" Brenda Mclean says while crying. "You can hit me, you can curse at me, but why do you treat me like this? Are you so satisfied with humiliating me?"

Karimba Cellon can't distinguish right from wrong. Just seeing Brenda Mclean with disheveled hair, torn clothes, lying on the ground with a bruised and teary face, his blood boils. Despite his hatred for Janet Cellon, deep down, Brenda Mclean is still the sweet and understanding little sister he has always protected.

"Karimba, I'm in so much pain. I can't face anyone anymore! She stood right in front of people and tore my clothes apart. How am I supposed to live like this?"

Karimba Cellon helps Brenda Mclean sit up and puts his own suit jacket on her. His gaze shows pity towards Brenda Mclean and pure animosity towards Alley Houston. Alley Houston stands frozen, staring at the three members of the Houston family, unable to comprehend the piercing pain in her heart.

"Karimba, it’s not what you’re thinking of. I… I just…"

"That's enough!" Without letting Alley Houston finish her sentence, Karimba Cellon immediately glares at her. "The evidence is right in front of me. What else do you want me to think? After three years of living together, I can't believe you're such a heartless and cruel woman."

Karimba Cellon's words hurt Alley Houston even more than the beating she received from Brenda Mclean earlier. Her eyes are now bloodshot, fixedly staring at him with resentment and sorrow. Alley Houston cries out:

"Don't you see anything? I was also beaten and injured. Before understanding what's going on, those two crazy people falsely accused me."

Karimba Cellon seems to not hear a word from Alley Houston. His gaze is filled with disappointment and weariness. He shakes his head and says:

"If you hadn't come here causing trouble, how could you have been beaten? It's all your fault, you brought it upon yourself. Consider it my plea, let me and the Houston family go."

Alley Houston blinks at Karimba Cellon, what has she done to make him hate her like this? He's no longer the person he used to be, he's just like Janet Cellon and her two nieces, always eager to blame her without reasoning.

Alley Houston feels heartbroken and utterly disappointed. She bows her head, her disheveled hair, her once-beautiful lips with faded lipstick slightly curl up, and the innocent smile that used to be now turns into madness. Alley Houston's eyes turn a fiery red, tears overflow onto her bruised cheek. She growls and looks at Karimba Cellon for a moment before saying:

"Karimba Cellon, what's the difference between you and Mr. Markus Cellon? Both are men who are tired of their mundane lives, having wives but still keeping mistresses on the side. You once said you hated your stepmother, hated your father, but what makes you any different from those two?"

Karimba Cellon stares wide-eyed at Alley Houston, unable to restrain himself, he slaps her across the face. Alley Houston staggers and falls to the ground, but she continues to sit there, laughing maniacally like a madwoman. Karimba Cellon's face turns red with anger. He can endure her insults, he can silently resent his father, but she absolutely cannot curse and humiliate Mr. Markus Cellon in front of so many Houston family members.

Karimba Cellon clenches his fist tightly, his eyes closed tightly as he tries to suppress his anger and avoid acting recklessly. He takes a deep breath and counts silently from one to ten to regain his composure, then calls out loudly to his subordinates.

"Ryan Dean, quickly take this crazy woman out of the Houston house. I don’t wanna see her anymore!"

Outside the door, a tall man in a black suit immediately appears. He doesn't say a word, just bows his head to acknowledge Karimba Cellon's command and then lifts Alley Houston up.

"Karimba Cellon, just wait! I won't let you and Brenda Mclean off the hook!"

Alley Houston is taken outside, still shouting, her eyes burning red as she stares intently at the Houston house. Karimba Cellon takes a deep breath, still unable to calm himself, and calls for another person.

"Sam Goodwin, go with Ryan Dean, take care of Alley Houston's wounds, and make sure she doesn't go crazy anymore!"

Brenda Mclean and Janet Cellon look at each other, astonished to realize that  Karimba Cellon has just ordered  two of his subordinates to take care of Alley Houston’s wounds and protect her from harming herself. Janet Cellon's eyes are filled with resentment, while Brenda Mclean is consumed by jealousy. They find out that, regardless of what Alley Houston has done, Karimba Cellon seems to be silently protecting her and taking care of her. However, he doesn't realize how much he cares about Alley Houston.