Chapter 473: Chapter 473

After a brief pause, Gabriel added, “Mr. Xavier shot himself...”

“W-What?” Rayna gasped, so shocked that her voice turned hoarse.

Lips trembling, she took a while to regain her voice. “Why did he do such a thing? I-Is he dead?”

“When Mr. Xavier lost control of his emotions, Old Mr. Xavier berated him for how ungrateful he was for falling out with his parents over a woman. Mr. Faymon was right beside Mr. Xavier when it happened. He lunged forward at the sight of the gun, causing the bullet to go astray.”

Gabriel found it difficult to continue the story.

“By the time Mr. Xavier arrived at the hospital, the doctor said that his survival was entirely dependent on his will to live.”

His words gave Rayna a shock.

“H-He’s in a coma too... In that case, what about Carl...” Rayna’s voice was quivering. “He’s still waiting for Jasmine and Mr.

Xavier to return. What am I going to say to him?”

“About that...” Gabriel let out a sigh before consoling Rayna. “We’ll keep it from him as long as we can. Mr. York has gone over with his best friend. I’m sure they will be fine.”

“You’re right. With his huge circle of friends, I’m certain Jeremy will think of something.” Rayna gradually calmed down.

Both Jasmine and Mr. Xavier are well taken care of. There’s no need for me to worry. Instead, there’s something else I need to do.

Rayna asked Gabriel calmly, “Did your boss tell you about this or...”

“Cillian did.” Gabriel elaborated, “He went over before the incident and is still there right now.”

“Get him to find out where Mrs. Xavier and Selena is.”

Cognizant of what Rayna was up to, Gabriel remarked hesitantly, “Ms. Garland, it would be better for you not to interfere. I’m sure you know how insidious Mrs. Xavier can be, and it would be terrible if she tried to harm you.”

Rayna threw the question back at him. “What do you expect me to do? Stand idly by and watch Selena bear the child while Mrs.

Xavier relishes her victory?”

“Ms. Garland, aren’t you afraid?”

“Of course, I’m afraid, but so what?” Rayna continued in a grim tone. “If I don’t take action now, it’s just a matter of time before Mrs. Xavier and Mark join hands to attack me. Therefore, I’m helping myself by lending Jasmine a hand.”

Gabriel felt the need to dissuade her from it. “I think it’s better for you to leave the matter to Mr. Faymon—”

“No, I’ll do it myself.” Rayna cut him off, not wanting to even hear that name.

“I need to go now. Just tell me Mrs. Xavier’s location the moment you find her.”

With that, Rayna ended the call before Gabriel could respond.

Three days later, she received a message from him: Mrs. Xavier has settled Selena in the Xavier residence for her pregnancy.

When Rayna failed to reach James, she called Cillian to ask if he had any friends whom she could hire.

Upon calling the number Cillian gave her, she ordered the person to put Emma and the Xavier residence on round-the-clock surveillance.

After she managed to nail down Emma’s routine, Rayna ordered her men to break into the Xavier residence and abduct Selena while Emma was away at the beauty salon.

“W-What are you doing?” Selena was struggling when she was dragged into the car. “How dare you barge into the Xavier residence? How bold of you! My mother-in-law...”

Rayna grasped Selena’s petite face effortlessly with just one hand.

Staring at the former’s exquisite features and feeling the soft skin under her fingers, Rayna could tell that Selena was in her early twenties.

She’s beautiful, delicate, and full of vigor.

“You’re referring to her as your mother-in-law even before you’re married into the Xavier family?” Rayna threw Selena’s abdomen a glance.

Selena, realizing that she was being scrutinized, recoiled as she attempted to slap Rayna’s hand away.

However, Rayna tightened her grip, causing Selena’s brows to knit from the pain.

Rayna questioned, “Are you proud of yourself for stealing someone else’s husband and getting yourself pregnant this way? If he knows that you’re pregnant, he’s more than capable of blowing your brains out with a gun.”

“W-What are you babbling about?” Selena exuded an air of arrogance bestowed upon her by her family background. “My marriage to him was dictated by both our parents!”

Rayna sneered, “I can’t believe how shameless you can be to say such a thing!”

Selena threatened, “Let go of me at once! If anything happens to me, my mother-in-law will make you pay!”

“Fine. I’m waiting for her to come and see me.” Rayna grabbed Selena’s hand abruptly and handcuffed it.

“Drive to the hospital at once!”

Selena’s face lost all color. “What are you taking me to the hospital for—”

Finding Selena annoying, Rayna stuffed a piece of paper into the former’s mouth.

Soon, their car arrived at the entrance of a private hospital.

Two men, one on each side, subsequently dragged Selena out and brought her inside.

Once the group arrived at the gynecology department, Rayna found the doctor she had called earlier and pointed at Selena.

“Abort her baby within ten minutes. I’ll pay you plenty for it.”

The sight of Selena being held against her will unnerved the doctor. “Will I get into trouble with the authorities?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll bear all the consequences.”

With that, the doctor instructed the two men to take Selena into the operating room.

The latter, upon hearing Rayna’s instructions to the doctor, was filled with horror as she wailed and struggled desperately.

Unfortunately, her arms were restrained by the two men so forcefully that any resistance was futile.

Once both of them emerged from the operating room, the doors behind them were swiftly shut.

Just as Rayna stepped aside to wait, she was greeted by the sight of a finely-dressed woman walking rapidly in her direction.

The sight of Emma caused Rayna’s heart to sink.

Who was it that told her about this? I just got here and she’s already breathing down my neck?

Rayna ordered the two men. “Go into the operating room and bolt the door from the inside. Don’t open it until the procedure is over!”

“Understood.”

The two men headed into the operating room quickly.

Emma, who saw what was going on, quickened her pace as she rushed toward the room.

It was then that Rayna stepped forward to stop her.

She roared, “What the h*ll are you doing? How dare you kidnap my daughter-in-law and bring her here for an abortion? Do you have a death wish?”

Rayna scoffed, regarding the older woman with disdain. “Your daughter-in-law? Has your son agreed to it? Mrs. Xavier, your son is in a coma right now all thanks to you!”

However, all Emma could think of was Selena as she frantically pushed Rayna away. “Move aside!”

In response, Rayna grabbed her hand and shoved her back instead.

When Emma staggered backward and almost fell to the ground, her expression drastically darkened. “Know your place, Rayna!

How dare you challenge me?”

“Mrs. Xavier, let me warn you that I’m no pushover.” Rayna glared back at her. “If I were afraid of you, I wouldn’t have brought her here for an abortion!”

“D*mn you, Rayna!” Emma trembled from the rage Rayna had sparked within her.

It was then that an agonized cry could be heard from the operating room.

Panic-stricken, Emma threw her bag aside and lunged at Rayna.

As a fight broke out between the two women, they tugged and scratched each other furiously.

All of sudden, Rayna was caught by surprise when she felt someone grab her arm, jerking her back.

Backpedaling from the inertia, she caught a familiar scent in the air before realizing that it was none other than Curtis.

Another man who arrived with Curtis pulled Emma back at the same time.

Before she could regain her senses, she saw another two men kicking the operating room door in an attempt to enter it.

“No!” Rayna screamed as she explained to Curtis, “Get your men to stop! Selena is inside. A few minutes more and the—”