Chapter 281: The Brick

[Chapter 281: The Brick]

A black SUV parked outside an apartment building in Culver City, Los Angeles. A few burly bodyguards quickly jumped out and formed a barrier between the swarming journalists and the car. Drew, dressed in conservative casual wear and hiding behind sunglasses, emerged from the vehicle. With the bodyguards guiding her through the frantic group of reporters, she entered the apartment grounds without saying a word. While the journalists often resorted to desperate measures to get their stories, they didn't dare breach someone's home in broad daylight, leaving them to wait outside the residence in disappointment.

"Alright, spill it. What's going on this time?" Once inside and seated on the living room sofa, Drew finally took off her sunglasses and fixed a cold stare at her mother, Jaid Barrymore.

Having not seen her daughter in nearly a year, Jaid initially wanted to exchange some friendly words. However, upon witnessing Drew's frosty demeanor, she promptly lost her patience and shot back, "I'm your mother! Is this how you talk to me now?"

"I asked you a question. What's going on?" Drew suddenly stood up, slamming her sunglasses onto the floor, where they shattered into countless pieces.

Jaid jumped at her daughter's unexpected outburst, but was unwilling to back down. "Why are you getting mad at me? This is about your father and Eric Williams! That jerk even sued me! Now I have to pay for a lawyer too! Let me tell you, you both better compensate me double for this. Otherwise, you can let that jerk of a father take you away!"

"I just want to know -- did you take anyone's money this time?" Drew raised her voice.

With her arms flailing in agitation, Jaid replied, "What money? Who would give me money? I bet it's all gone to that scumbag father of yours! I haven't seen a dime and yet I still have to pay for a lawyer! I can't believe this!"

Drew stared at her mother for a moment before reaching into her handbag and tossing a check at her. "Here, take this. You don't even need to hire a lawyer. Just shut up. And don't let me find out you're doing anything shady behind my back, or you'll know what a bleak future looks like!"

As Jaid bent down to pick up the check, she initially wanted to retort but froze when she caught sight of the amount written on it. Her anger shifted to a rigid expression, then quickly softened to a reluctant attempt at appeasement. She opened her mouth but found herself at a loss for words.

Drew ignored Jaid and turned to a middle-aged maid peeking from the kitchen at their confrontation. "Martha, go tidy up my room. I'll be staying here for a while."

"Sure thing, Miss Drew," the maid replied, hurrying upstairs.

Once the maid rounded the staircase corner, Drew turned back to Jaid and firmly stated, "During this time, you're not allowed to participate in any crazy parties or gatherings, don't accept invitations from strangers, and absolutely no bringing men home."

"I'm your mother!" Jaid couldn't help but defend herself again.

Drew immediately stretched out her hand. "Give me the check back."

Instinctively, Jaid took a step back, shoving the check into her pocket, and hesitantly asked, "How long?"

"Until this is over." After saying this, Drew walked toward the door and instructed her bodyguards to bring in her luggage, leaving Jaid behind in the living room as she ascended the stairs.

...

In the United States, it was rare for civil cases to reach the final judgment stage; over 90% were settled before that point. Therefore, when Drew's father sued Eric, Eric's legal team immediately approached John Barrymore to negotiate a settlement. However, the opposing side demanded a staggering $10 million in compensation, which seemed more like extortion. Eric's attorney, Edward Lewis, engaged in private negotiations with John Barrymore, but the latter remained inflexible, leading to a forced court appearance.

On January 16, three weeks into the scandal, media coverage continued to pummel Eric with negative stories. That day also marked the first court appearance regarding John Barrymore's lawsuit against his ex-wife, Jaid Barrymore, and the famous director, Eric Williams. As the sun rose, the crowd of reporters outside Eric's Malibu estate swelled to over 300, with a similar number gathered at the entrance of the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Drew arrived with her mother in the black SUV at the courthouse in downtown Los Angeles, stepping out to find herself engulfed by a throng of reporters.

At almost the same time, her father, John Barrymore, who had been appearing in media as a grief-stricken father, also arrived. Seeing the scene, the reporters parted, almost on cue, creating a pathway between Drew and John Barrymore.

Drew stepped out, carrying a seemingly heavy bag, and with a smile on her face, she pushed through the crowd toward John Barrymore amidst a flurry of flashes from cameras.

John hadn't expected his daughter to approach him. Despite portraying a compassionate image in media, he felt little connection to the youthful-looking girl before him.

Nevertheless, when Drew stepped forward, John felt compelled to react. After considering the moment, he offered a warm smile and moved toward her, seemingly ready for a comforting embrace.

Seeing this, the reporters' flashes intensified. Their interest in the scandal surpassed that of the general public, and they were well aware of the case's ins and outs. Observing such a scene, many perceptively noted that Drew Barrymore might be siding with her father, raising the stakes that Eric Williams would undeniably lose this case.

When they stood a meter apart, John spread his arms, beaming with a fatherly smile to embrace his daughter. After all, it was an expected gesture.

Drew slightly tilted her head, her smile morphing into something unsettling as she reached into her bag. Taking a step forward, she quickly pulled out a bright red brick and, without any hint of hesitation, slammed it against the man's face before John could react.

Bang--

A dull thud echoed alongside the unmistakable sound of breaking bones, as the brick shattered into pieces that scattered across the ground.

*****

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