"Miss Poppy, please!" A maid cried, breathless as she hurried after her. "Mr. Rowland said he doesn't want to be disturbed!"
But Poppy didn't care. She threw the doors open to her father's private study and stormed in.
"Father!" She shouted.
Rowland looked up slowly from behind his grand mahogany desk. He didn't look surprised. He didn't even flinch. Calmly, he placed his pen down, then glanced at the trembling maid. "Leave us," he said coolly.
The maid bowed quickly and hurried out, shutting the doors behind her.
"How dare you?" Poppy yelled angrily. "You bought my apartment building and threw out all my things like thrash?! You had no right!"
Rowland leaned back in his chair as a faint, infuriating smile grew on his lips. "You gave me no choice, child," he said calmly. "You've been acting like a fool and running from your responsibilities. I simply cleaned up the mess."
"That apartment was the only thing I had left!" she shouted. "The only thing that was mine!"
"Watch your tone, Poppy!"
Stunned, Poppy turned to see Dale standing close to her Father's desk with a frown. Lauren sat on the couch beside him, frowning as well. She had been so angry that she didn't notice them.
"You don't speak to Father like that," Dale snapped. "For once, stop embarrassing yourself!"
Poppy's fists curled into a ball, feeling her blood boil from the mere sight of Dale. "Why are you here?" She counted her words, but even a fool could feel the anger in them. "And who gave you the right to speak in my family's business?"
Dale jaw clenched, but before he could retort, Lauren cut in. "He has every right to be here," she sneered. "He's married to Layla now. That makes him a part of the family whether you like it or not."
Dale's frown melted into a smug. "It's difficult to process why you're screaming at Father, and playing the victim when everything that is happening right now is your fault, Poppy."
He took a step toward her. "Father is a very civilized man. He doesn't take unnecessary actions if the situation doesn't call for it. You disrespected him in front of everyone, something that is unforgivable. If you want your property back, all you have to do is obey. You should be grateful I pleaded with him to go easy on you after convincing him that you will come back to your senses."
"And it's crazy how Father has to do something like this to make you concede," he continued. "When I'm doing you a favor by willingly taking you in as my second wife. Honestly, who else can endure someone as pathetic as you?"
Silence fell inside the room, and then—
SLAP!
Dale's head snapped to the side as red handprints appeared on his cheek. On the other hand, Lauren's mouth opened wide with shock.
Poppy's hand trembled. "After everything you did to me, don't you dare act like you're doing me a favor, you disgusting scumbag!"
Dale's hand flexed by his side. Since he was still in shock, it took a minute before his brain registered what just happened. Poppy slapped him?
"Poppy!" Rowland slammed his hand on his desk, standing to his feet. "How dare your aide your hand at Dale?!"