The Billionaire Gardener

Chapter Three

Ralph didn’t faze; he was accustomed to such treatment, a norm growing up on the streets of Vernice. He resisted the urge to retaliate, knowing it wouldn't be right to mishandle a woman. Plus, he didn’t want to escalate the situation and hurt Diana further. He chose to let it go, understanding the dynamics of his life so far in the Summers mansion. So, he wiped his face with his palm.

“Do you have more disrespect to show me? Get out and never come back here!” Lady Margarita demanded, her anger unabated.

On impulse, Diana went on her knees, attempting to salvage the situation. “Please don’t be angry. He will apologize, granny,” she pleaded, pulling Ralph down to kneel beside her.

Reluctantly, for the sake of Diana, Ralph knelt and apologized. The room fell silent, waiting for Lady Margarita's reaction.

“Are you just going to kneel there like a dumb head?” Lady Margarita demanded, her stern gaze fixed on Ralph.

“I apologize,” Ralph muttered, almost indistinctly.

“For what?” Lady Margarita's stern demand lingered in the air. Diana, dissatisfied with Ralph's initial response, discreetly pinched his finger under the table as a silent prompt to do better.

“I apologize for my bad behavior,” Ralph said, his tone clearer this time, though he appeared unbothered.

“I didn’t hear you clearly. Say it louder, Bingo!” Andre interjected, his antagonistic tone evident.

Reluctantly, Ralph repeated the apology, enduring the humiliation of being called "Bingo" by Andre.

“I will determine a better punishment later,” Lady Margarita declared dismissively, leaving a cloud of uncertainty hanging over Ralph.

As Diana and Ralph resumed their seats, a heavy silence enveloped them, each lost in their thoughts.

“Andre sweet, do I need to invite the family doctor?” Lady Margarita's tone shifted, revealing concern for her favorite grandson.

“No, Granny. I’m fine. Let’s talk about how my day went. I have a piece of good news,” Andre announced with apparent excitement.

“Oh, yes! That’s right. Let’s hear about everyone’s week. Andre, you may start,” Lady Margarita instructed, setting the stage for the family updates. Ralph, however, was cautious, having discovered the tendency for Andre's reports to be filled with a mix of truths and lies.

"Great! So, today, I finally met with the almighty Mr. Rovers in his villa," he declared, pausing for the information to sink in.

Gasps of astonishment filled the room, everyone seemingly captivated by Andre's supposed encounter. Mr. Rovers was a highly respected and influential person anyone would be glad to meet in person. He hardly entertained guests physically.

However, Ralph, aware of the lies woven into Andre’s tale, sat dumbfounded. He knew Mr. Rovers rarely entertained visitors, having restricted his movements since the tragic incident that claimed the lives of his wife and two daughters. That particular day, Mr. Rovers was not in a pleasant state, so he couldn’t have welcomed any visitor. Andre's claim seemed more fiction than reality, but he kept his observations to himself. He could only deceive his family for a short while.

Just as Andre was about to spew more lies, Stuart Young walked in with a gift box in his hand. Stuart was the first son of the Young family, a family known for its wealth and influence in Rovers County. He was a friend to the Summers family, especially Lady Margarita, and had been eyeing Diana for a while.

"Good evening, everyone," Stuart greeted with a charming smile. "I heard we were having a little gathering, so I thought I'd join in."

"Of course. You are family. Please join us. Ralph? Get up for Stuart to sit. Yeah! You will stand through the meeting. I think that’s the punishment I have for you. Of course, there may be more later," commanded Lady Margarita.

“He can sit somewhere else, not beside my wife.” Ralph replied firmly.

The others burst into laughter.

“You call her your wife? Do you even have what it takes to be a husband?” Asked Liam, the last grandchild as others laughed the more.

“Get up or get out. Let a better in-law sit.” Lady Margarita commanded.

Ralph chose to go out but wanted to protect Diana against Stuart. So, he reluctantly vacated his seat for Stuart, standing behind his wife in a protective manner. Stuart, with a sense of accomplishment, took the seat beside Diana, pleased to be close to her.

Diana exchanged a concerned glance with Ralph, who responded with a reassuring smile.

"I bought this gift for you with my Elite Reserve Card, Grandma. It’s a token. Please accept it." Stuart handed the gift box to Lady Margarita, who opened it immediately to reveal a diamond necklace called "Eternal Elegance." It is a rare piece of jewelry that cost a significant sum.

Everyone admired the piece from their seats. They were also impressed that Stuart had the special card owned by just few individuals in Rovers County. Of course, Ralph was unbothered. He knew Stuart’s motive for the gift was to win Lady Margarita’s favor and marry Diana.

"Don't worry. Diana will be yours soon once she divorces that scum. She won't disobey her grandmother," Lady Margarita said as she admired her gift.

"I will make her get the divorce papers next week. She won't dare disobey her mother. Right, Diana?" West added, sizing Ralph up with her angry stare.

How could they be talking of marrying a married woman off to another man? But that was just a tip of the constant ridicule Ralph had to endure with his in-laws hoping that, one day, they would truly accept him as one of them. He loved Diana that much and was willing to endure the ill-treatment just to be with her.