Old Conspiracy

~ Gonzalez Residence ~

"IDIOT! Who told you to cheat right before the marriage!" Garret's father lashed out, his hand delivering a stinging slap that sent Garret sprawling onto the sofa.

The atmosphere grew tense as Mr. Gonzalez menacingly pulled out his belt, ready to whip. "IDIOT! IDIOT! Do you have any idea how much face loss the business will suffer because of your foolishness? Couldn't you wait until after the marriage?"

Mrs. Gonzalez swiftly intervened, attempting to defuse the volatile situation. "Dear, please leave him be. He didn't do it on purpose. You'll injure him if you continue like this."

Garret managed to wriggle away and dashed to his stepmother, seeking refuge in her embrace. Tearfully, he pleaded, "Mom, I didn't mean any of it. You know me better than anyone. I couldn't help it, Mom. That woman seduced me!"

Mrs. Gonzalez, skilled in the art of manipulation, consoled him with feigned sympathy. "I understand, my dear son. You're still young and susceptible to making mistakes. Don't worry, I'll guide you through this. Please, don't harm him any further. You must be tired. Mackerel is waiting for you in your study."

"If only he had even half of Mackerel's intelligence. Sigh! Why did my father transfer the business into his and his wife's name? Anyway, I'll be on my way. Make sure he understands not to squander his time on frivolous matters, or I won't be able to save him," Mr. Gonzalez grumbled as he made his way upstairs.

Mrs. Gonzalez directed the maids to fetch first aid supplies and an ice pack. As Garret settled in her lap, his head cradled in her arms, she continued to manipulate him. "Mom, why does Dad always berate me? I'm not an idiot, and I genuinely love Peony. It's that woman's fault. That b#tch seduced me!"

"Don't worry, you didn't cheat on her, I'm a woman and I know very well. If you love someone else then that would be cheating. If only your mother would be here, she could have consoled you better. I know it's not your fault my dear son.", She sweetly consoles him.

"Don't talk about her! That woman who left me and my father 26 years ago cannot be my mother. A mother cannot leave her 2 year child alone. You're my mother. You're the best mother. I will convince Peony to be with me. She won't leave me alone. She isn't like that woman. I know I have slept around but I haven't cheated on her, since I have never loved them. I have always loved her, Mom. I cannot live without her. Today she slapped me because I doubted her, and she hates me because she loves me. Anger is equal to love. Yes, I still have a chance.", He frantically explains.

"I know you are a good and smart kid. That girl is a witch and you know you're good looking, every woman seduces you. It's just that they played with you. You didn't play with them. Peony really loves you and she won't leave you in this state. But my innocent boy think a bit! maybe she has taken a slight liking to Benedict Auguste and maybe she has planned it out with him and orchestrated the entire play with him and Mr. Auguste contacted that girl who seduced you... ", She pats his head as she manipulates him.

"What! No mom, Peony won't do that. She was abroad all this time and how would she ...but she knows his name, but then who doesn't know his name in this city, but she calls him... You're right mother. She clearly knows him. She called him by his name directly. She is also like that woman after all. I loved her and what she did! But we are married now, we are legally bound, she cannot leave me. I will not let her escape me."

"Yes, she should stay here. You're a man after all. She has to listen to you.", She infuses more hatred.

Garret believes her lies very easily. She brainwashed him from childhood so that he would not grow up to be a proper man and only heed her advice. Everytime Mrs. Gonzalez hatches plans for Garret to permanently lose his right to business and creates opportunities for Mackerel, her own son.

"Yes, I'm a man. I will not let Benedict win. Thank you mom, you're always by my side.", He clenches his fist.

She smiles at him sweetly hiding her true nature from him and says, "Yes, my son is always right!"

The arrival of an ice pack and first aid supplies interrupted their conversation.

"Madam, ice pack and first aid.", A maid places it on the table.

"So? Put it on him! Don't you know how to work? Apply the ointment on him.", She yells at the maid.

The old maid trembles.

"Mom, are you angry? You shouldn't scold her, she is also our family.", He looks at her.

Mrs. Gonzalez's expression darkened momentarily, and she softly murmurs, " Like mother, like son."

Then she sweetly speaks to him, "No, no dear son. Absolutely not! I'm just too worried about you. I'm leaving, My son. I'm tired and my headache is killing me."

"So sorry mom, take a rest. I will surely bring her back tomorrow."

"Do as you feel Garret. I'm leaving." She leaves the main room.

The maid treats Garret's wound and says, " Thank you son, may Almighty be with you and guide you through the right path. You have always treated me and the other maids so well. "

" It's nothing, you're really a family. You took care of me since childhood apart from my mom. Whenever I was beaten by my dad and was locked up, you made sure I ate my food. Even now, you're treating my wounds. ", He spoke candidly to her.

The old maid was teary as he listened to him speak.

In her mind she said, " I wish I could tell you that your real mom loved you so much. But this madam destroyed everything, destroyed their happy family and is now even bent on destroying him. But I can't help you my child, I can't. I'm helpless, I can only hope that someone would make you realise how wrong you're about who are close to and who are not. I can only pray that day comes when you realise your mistakes and madam's true nature. I'm sorry, I can't help you. "

" That was long before my child, you still remember.", The old maid smiled at him.

He smiled back at her and said, " How can I not remember that? ". Soon his smile slowly faded and then he asked, " Do you think I am always right? I lied continuously even when I was caught today. "

" Who am I to think what is wrong and right about, young master? Well, I'm done treating your wound. It will heal within a week. This wound will heal but some wounds don't heal how much you try to, and by the time you realise it, the wound has already left a scar. I'm very old now, young master. I babble all the time, don't take it to heart. I'm leaving."

He nodded as she took her leave.

The night wore on, but sleep eluded him. Whenever he remembered it, he saw her weeping face angry at him and going further away from him to someone else. Someone he absolutely hated.