Teresa was seething with anger, causing her to stagger backward.
They were only trying to do what was best for their daughter by removing that troublemaker from their lives, hoping to repair the strained relationship between mother and daughter. But their daughter had the audacity to accuse them of forcing her and causing her harm.
Teresa's face turned cold as she said, "If you don't get rid of that troublemaker, don't consider me your mother anymore."
Austin chimed in, "Your mother's decision is also mine. If you continue to interfere with Jodie, I will no longer recognize you as my daughter, and we won't welcome you into our family anymore."
Salma was heartbroken. "You are being too harsh. Do you want to see me tormented by insects until death? Is that what would make you happy? It's a simple matter that could be resolved, yet you blame everything on me."
"Jo hasn't done anything to harm you. Why do you have to target her? She's still my daughter, and I won't give up on her," she defended.
Austin was furious and couldn't believe he had raised such a daughter. He pointed to the door. "If you can't give up, Jodie, then you're choosing to give up on your family. Go, and don't come to our home again."
Salma was also furious. Her parents believed in others but not in her. They were heartless.
Of course, she didn't really think they meant it. They were just trying to scare and threaten her.
How could they possibly disown their own daughter? she thought.
Even if Simone treated her this way, as long as she apologized afterward, she could still be accepted. After all, they were blood relatives.
Thus, she stubbornly declared, "Fine, I'll leave."
"I will prove to you that I do not intend harm to Elbert. I'll seek a master to lift the curse from him," she emphasized further.
With that said, Salma confidently walked out of the room in her high heels.
Staying longer would only make things more awkward and uncomfortable for her. Each one of them, without understanding or empathy, continued to force her.
Therefore, her father's words provided her with the much-needed excuse to leave promptly.
At this moment, they were all worked up, and anything she said would be deemed wrong.
Once the master came to help Elbert lift the curse, her family would likely calm down and forgive her.
Seeing his daughter actually leave, Austin almost fainted from anger.
"Unfilial daughter, such an unfilial daughter. Our Johnston Family cannot tolerate such a daughter. Now that she's gone, she better not cry and regret it later."
He added, "There's no remedy for regret in this world. Even if she regrets it, I won't recognize her as my daughter."
If their daughter continued to behave like this, not only would she bring trouble to the Gray Family, but she might also cause harm to the Johnston Family.
Since Salma chose to give up on them so decisively, Austin wanted her to know that cutting off ties was not just an empty threat or talk, but rather, they were serious.
He instructed Nicholas, "Son, as soon as you get home, inform all our relatives that Salma and we, the Johnston Family, have no relation anymore. Also, tell your brother-in-law while you're at it."
"As for the project between the Gray Family and Johnston Family, stop it immediately while the losses are still manageable." He added, "If she chooses Jodie, then let her live her life with that adopted daughter from now on."
Since Salma couldn't listen to the advice of those who truly cared about her and insisted on continuing, she would have to face the consequences herself.
"Fine, after she leaves, I'll inform the relatives and brother-in-law. I also think there's no need to continue the project with the Gray Family. If we're cutting ties, let's do it cleanly."
Salma harmed my son. Did she think that cutting off ties would be enough? he thought. If he didn't let out this anger from within himself, he wouldn't be able to get over it.
And then there is Jodie, who is always hiding behind the scenes causing mischief. Nicholas wondered how his brother-in-law would handle such a situation.
Bridgette, standing on the side, agreed. "Yes, if we're going to cut ties, let's do it cleanly. I'll also inform my family that it's no longer necessary to cooperate with the Gray Family in the future."
Whether it was venting anger or seeking revenge, it didn't matter. There was no need for further dealings with the Gray Family.
Upon hearing their words, Titus and his two siblings knew that things had escalated.
"What was Mom thinking? Did she truly believe that Grandpa and the others were merely engaged in conversation? Shouldn't Mom have learned her lesson when Simone expressed her desire to sever ties before and actually followed through with it? But now, she has managed to offend all of her family members on her own," pondered Titus.
Aaron pretended to look pitiful and pleaded, "Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle Nicholas, Aunt Bridgette, if you choose to sever ties with my mother, please don't sever ties with us as well." He added, "We have also been abandoned by our mother."
Austin chuckled and reassured, "Don't worry, I still consider my three grandchildren as part of the family."
He then turned to Simone and continued, "And Simone, even though you may no longer acknowledge us, the Johnston Family will always welcome you."
Simone smiled without uttering a word.
It was evident that the Johnston Family was firm in their decision this time, and it was satisfying to witness Salma destroying her own relationship with her family.
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