As soon as those words were spoken, everyone in the room froze
James’s expression darkened. “Everyone here <b>is </b><b>family</b>, Sean. <b>What </b>exactly are you implying? Are you saying <b>one </b>of us would leak information to outsiders and put you in danger?”
Mrs. Jasper Sr. spoke up as well. “That’s right, <b>Sean</b><b>. </b>You specifically reminded us not to call the police before you left. I may be old, but I’m not senile enough to forget something like that. None of us called <b>the </b>police. And when your life is on the line, we would never risk leaking anything to outsiders<b>.</b>”
Desmond added, “I can vouch for myself and Xena. We absolutely didn’t leak anything. Lottie is still in their hands. If anything got out, both you and Lottle might not make it out alive. We’d never take that kind of risk. Even when Jodie disappeared shortly after you left, we kept your instructions firmly in mind and didn’t call the police.”
Lilian shook her head. “There must be some misunderstanding here.”
Vivian chimed <b>in</b>. “Exactly. <b>Sean</b>, <b>this </b><b>has </b>to be <b>a </b>misunderstanding. Could it <b>have </b>been one of Miss Riley’s <b>friends </b>or coworkers who identally let something slip? Maybe someone with bad intentions overheard and called the police on purpose to harm you.”
Before Sean could respond, Charlotte suddenly let out <b>a </b>coldugh.
Her lips curled slightly, her gaze sharp as loe. <b>Vivian </b>Xander, the one who called the police <b>was </b>Zac Gibson. <b>You </b>were the one who leaked the information to him, weren’t you?”
Vivian’s face turned pale “Charlome, what <b>are </b>
e you saying? How could I possibly…
Smack!
A lood, crisp si
p rang out before she could finish her sentence.
Charlotte struck fast and hard, leaving everyone stunned. No one <b>had </b>seen iting
Vivian clutched her cheek, tears welling in her eyes. She said in a trembling, aggrieved voice, “Charlotte, <b>I </b>know you’ve never liked me, but you can’t just hit me and use me without any proof…”
Tears falling, she turned to Mrs. Jasper Sr. for support. “Grandma, please stand up for me
Mrs. Jasper Sr.’s expression darkened. “Charlotte Riley, how dare you p Vivian in front of us! You have no manners <b>at </b>all! Is this how your parents raised you? You go around hitting people the moment you disagree? And you call yourself a well–bred youngdy? You’re nothing but a shrew!”
James didn’t look any happier. No matter <b>what</b>, Vivian was his adopted daughter, part of their family. For Charlotte to p her in front of them was like pping the entire Jasper family.
James’s expression grew even darker. His voice was tight with displeasure. “Charlotte, this is too much. If you have something to say, say it properly. There’s no need to resort to violence.”
<b>“</b>Lottie, calm <b>down</b>…” Lilian tried to intervene.
Unlike the rest of the Jasper family, Sean’s first instinct was to step forward and shield Charlotte, positioning himself protectively in <b>front </b>of her in case Vivian retaliated
Of course, Vivian wasn’t capable of fighting back against Charlotte. But a
Sean didn’t hesitate to put himself between them
His action felt like <b>a </b>knife to <b>Vivian’s </b>heart. Her face went even paler, the pain evident in her eyes.
At first, Desmond was too stunned to react. But the moment Mrs. Jasper Sr. insulted his daughter, ho could not hold back any longer. He cast aside all pretense of respect and etiquette. Without hesitation, he stepped forward and confronted her directly.
“Mrs <b>Jasper </b>Sr, I have always treated you with courtesy because you are the matriarch of this family. But now you stand here in front of everyone and all my daughter a shrew? You should be ashamed. And what about your precious Vivian? Ar the banquet, she standered my daughter in public, and you
ver even bothered to learn the truth. You <b>sided </b>with her and humiliated Lottle. When Lottie checked the surveince footage, none of you dared to look in Have your vendently forgotten that? Is this the example you are setting for your granddaughter? Judging by her behavior, I would say Lorrie hadd mvery temon to p ber
Desmond’s fury only grew, his voice rising “And this time, it was your Jasper family that caused Lattie to be kidnapped in the first ce. Now Jodie has be taken to Antis try your bastard <b>son</b>, and we do not even know if she is alive. If your adopted daughter really did leak that information, pping her would be letting her off nay I would have hall a mind to kill her myself.”