Silence Walks Beside Us by Eli Dane Cade 257

Chapter 257 

At the Shelton residence, a voice called out, “Sam, why are you heading out again?” 

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Samuel frowned, clearly irritated, and glanced back at the tearful, delicate–looking woman. He questioned, “Since when do you get to decide where I go?” 

In truth, fate had not treated Samuel poorly. He was born into privilege and blessed with striking good looks. On rare occasions, his handsome face twisted into something vicious and menacing. 

“No, no, Sam, that’s not what I meant,” the woman quickly explained. 

“Patricia Wales, I don’t care what you meant. Just do me a favor and stay out of my sight. Didn’t you return to your parents‘ house? Then stay there and stop coming here,” Samuel snapped, forcefully shaking off her grasp. 

Patricia stumbled backward several steps after being shoved so suddenly, nearly falling to the ground. 

The Wales family, though not among the elite in Riverstone, was still considered wealthy and well–connected. Two years ago, the Sheltons arranged marriages for their unmarried sons to solidify their status in the city further. 

Samuel chose Patricia from the lineup, but besides the immediate families, almost no one in Riverstone even knew the marriage had occurred. 

He had selected her from a stack of photos, thinking she looked obedient and sensible. Most importantly, the background checks revealed she was the most docile among them all, lacking any opinion of her own. 

That was enough for him. What he needed wasn’t a wife, but a tool to stabilize the Shelton family’s status. 

“Sam, my father hopes you’ll come back for a meal. He said he has some new investments he wants to introduce to you,” Patricia said softly, her head bowed, her posture as humble as could be. 

Samuel’s expression darkened. “Investments? Just send them over. Why do I need to go with you in person? Is your family. trying to use this to manipulate me?” 

Tears welled in her eyes as she tried to explain, “No, it’s not like that at all…” 

“Sam, what is it this time? Why’s Patricia crying again?” Gabriel Shelton appeared just then. He was Lisa Mulvard’s second husband and now the head of the Shelton family. 

Gabriel was the classic smiling, powerful man. He gently patted Patricia’s shoulder and said, “Patricia, did that rascal bully you again? If he’s being awful, come find Grandpa and I’ll take care of it for you.” 

Biting her lower lip, Patricia took a step back and quickly denied it, “No, no… It’s not like that. I’ve just been feeling off lately and ended up upsetting Sam.” 

“Our dearest Patricia is truly the most thoughtful girl in the whole family. She always knows her place and understands what matters. Every household needs someone who can see the bigger picture. You’ve worked hard, Patricia,” Gabriel said casually, offering perfunctory comfort. 

Tears brimmed in her eyes, but Patricia forced them back. “This is my duty, Grandpa,” she replied. 

Though the Wales family was wealthy, they were still dwarfed by the Shelton family’s influence. Patricia had no choice but to endure for her family’s prosperity. 

Off to the side, a maid whispered, “Mrs. Patricia has it tough. At least the other wives are treated decently as their husbands care for them. But Mrs. Patricia? Mr. Samuel doesn’t care for her at all.” 

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Chapter 257 

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“Yeah, another agreed, “it was an arranged marriage. Mr. Samuel only needed a pawn. Poor woman–such a pretty face, reduced to this.” 

A third maid hurriedly cautioned them, “Keep your voices down. If this stirs up trouble, don’t say I didn’t warn you.” 

As Patricia walked toward the main gate, the servants along the way gave her strange looks and whispered quietly among themselves. 

A single tear trailed down her cheek. She had known from the start that this path was the wrong one. She thought she was capable, but she had only been fooling herself in the end. 

Gabriel lifted his cane and struck Samuel with it. He questioned, “How much longer do you plan to mess around? Your cousins are getting more capable by the day. Are you planning to hand over the family reins to them?” 

Samuel’s expression shifted from menacing to indifferent, but he still carried that careless air. “Grandpa, with you and my dad around, it won’t be their turn in this lifetime,” he replied nonchalantly. 

“I’m an old man–how many more years do you think I’ve got left? It was bad enough that you’ve been fooling around outside, but now I hear you’ve even laid hands on someone from the Turner family?” Gabriel asked sharply. 

Samuel didn’t seem the least bit remorseful as he spat, “That filthy woman got lucky last time. Next time she ends up hands, she won’t be getting away so easily.” 

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“You-! You ungrateful brat!” Gabriel’s expression turned grim as he scolded, “Do you think you can just lay a hand on someone from the Turner family? The Sniders and Turners are forming a marriage alliance. You’d better behave yourself.” 

Samuel showed no fear and scoffed, “So what if they are? They’re just enjoying a streak of good fortune. When it comes to real strength, it’s not clear who would win.” 

“You think Calvert is someone to be trifled with? It’s fine if you want to party and fool around, but from today on, you are not to provoke the Snider or Turner families again!” Gabriel rarely got this angry, but now he was shouting. 

Samuel visibly lost patience as he challenged, “Grandpa, since when did we start being so timid? Even if they’re powerful, they wouldn’t dare ignore our family entirely.” 

“From today forward, you’re not allowed to go anywhere! Stay home and reflect on your actions!” Gabriel’s face turned red as he slammed his cane on the floor multiple times. 

“What did I even do wrong?” Samuel argued, completely baffled. “Grandpa, what are you so afraid of?” 

Samuel had always done whatever he pleased. His temper flared easily, and he didn’t even respect his own father, let alone a grandfather who wasn’t related by blood. “What could possibly happen to me? You’re being far too cautious,” he muttered with a sigh. 

Gabriel gave the order, “If you keep stirring up trouble, the Shelton family will eventually fall because of you. From today on, no one is allowed to let the young master leave this house unless I say so!” 

Gabriel might have been pushing eighty, but he was still strong and imposing. His voice rang out loud and clear, and the bodyguards nearby immediately responded, stepping forward to surround Samuel. 

Samuel’s fury ignited in an instant. “Grandpa, do you really have to do this?” he shouted. 

“I’m doing this for your own good! Stay home and reflect for a few days. Once you come to your senses, then we can talk. But until then, no more reckless behavior,” Gabriel said firmly. 

Samuel was the eldest of the Shelton children. From a young age, he had been showered with love and attention. That same overindulgence had warped his character into the twisted, unstable mess it had become. 

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Chapter 237 

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Til walk myself,” Samuel muttered coldly. His sharp gaze swept over each of the bodyguards. “Grandpa, if you’ve lost your ambition, then this family will fall into obscurity sooner or later.” 

Gabriel was absolutely livid–nearly driven to the edge by Samuel’s defiance. “Get back to your room and reflect! No one is to let him out!” he shouted. 

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