Chapter 525
The voices accusing Cherise were from upper–class women, their tones sharp and judgmental.
Morris heard their words and shot a cold, piercing glare in their direction. Instantly, the murmurs died, and the women lowered their heads, silenced by his imposing presence.
Cora, unable to bear the sight of Lydia being so publicly humiliated, marched up to Cherise. “You arrogant brat! Are you bullying Lydia?” she demanded. “I don’t care what dark magic or connections you rely on. Undo whatever spell you’ve cast on her immediately!”
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Cherise listened, unbothered, and let out a dry chuckle. “The great Walton family… I thought you all had some semblance of honor.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Turns out you’re just people who don’t bother with facts and make wild accusations. Is this the famed Walton family?”
Cora’s face flushed with anger. “Aren’t you afraid of offending the Walton family?” she barked, clearly unused to being challenged.
“Afraid?” Cherise tilted her head slightly, her expression calm. “Why should I be? Mrs. Walton, shouldn’t you ask what happened here?”
She continued with a sharp tone, “Jean got injured here. Mr. Simpson took her for emergency treatment. Do you think you can twist the truth because there’s no one left to testify?”
Cora’s cane struck the ground as she seethed. “Fine! If you won’t release her, then I’ll have someone escort you out!” she declared, raising her voice.
Before anyone could act, Morris stepped forward, standing protectively in front of Cherise. “Are you pretending I’m not here? I kicked that door open myself, and I saw everything clearly.”
Stella looked uneasy. Her party had turned into chaos. On top of that, she’d caught a glimpse of Jean’s injuries earlier, and the image haunted her. She worried Arthur would blame her.
She opened her mouth to speak but was cut off by Cora’s sharp tone.
“You’re her husband. Of course, you’ll side with her!” Cora scoffed, dismissing his words. “This is a matter between the Walton and Jarrett families. Outsiders like you shouldn’t interfere.”
Mary pushed through the crowd. Her face was lined with fury. “Explain this to me,” she demanded. “I saw Jean leave this room with her arm mangled and bleeding. Morris and Cherise arrived shortly after. Now, what explanation does the Walton family have for this?”
She muttered under her breath, “So what if you’re from a military family? Arthur outranks Tristan.”
Cora faltered momentarily, realizing she had arrived too late to see what had happened. The mention of Jean’s severe injury visibly rattled her.
After a moment of hesitation, Cora turned to Mary. “Perhaps there’s been some misunderstanding,” she offered weakly.
“Misunderstanding?” Cherise spoke up calmly. “Ms. Walton is holding a bottle of highly corrosive acid, Meanwhile, Jean has severe burns on her arm. Isn’t the answer clear enough already?”
Jean wasn’t just Morris’s cousin. She was Cherise’s student, and Cherise had spent enough time with her.
Cora and Lydia glared at Cherise, resentment written across their faces.
Chapter 525
Stella, still cautious, kept silent, unwilling to escalate matters further.
Lydia’s voice trembled as she tried to defend herself. “No, no! I didn’t do it!” she cried, blinking pitifully.
“You’re making excuses!” Morris suddenly shouted, his voice like a thunderclap in the room.
The sudden outburst startled everyone.
Cherise remained unfazed, her tone steady. “Dishonesty isn’t endearing, Ms. Walton.”
She pulled out her phone, unlocked it, and opened a message from Jean.
A minute ago, Cherise had received a short audio clip from Jean In front of everyone present, she turned the volume up to maximum before hitting play.
The recording played loud and clear.
“Don’t think you can act high and mighty just because you’re a Jarrett. Arthur wouldn’t risk offending the Walton family over you. We’re from a military background, and you think you can leave here without my say–so? Don’t overestimate yourself.”
The voice paused before continuing, dripping with malice. “If I splash this acid on your face, do you think Truman would still be interested in you?”
“Ah! Lydia, you crazy woman! What are you doing? Stay back! My arm! It hurts so much!” another voice screamed.
“You jerk! How dare you block with your arm? Never mind, I’ve got another bottle right here!”
The audio continued with the sound of something heavy shattering a glass partition, followed by screams.
Then came the noise of a door being forcefully kicked open, and as Cherise rushed in, she asked, “Jean, are you alright?”
*****
The crowd fell silent, stunned by what they had just heard.
Stella and Cora’s faces shifted through a spectrum of emotions, a mix of shame and disbelief.
Meanwhile, Mary and Mrs. Simpson trembled with rage.
“The Simpson family may not compare to the Walton family,” Mrs. Simpson said, her voice shaking with fury, “but we will fight you to the very end if this is how Ms. Walton treats my future daughter–in–law.”
Mary stepped forward, her voice resolute. Mary said, “Jean is the only daughter of the Jarrett family. If the Walton family doesn’t give us an explanation or if Jean’s injuries result in lasting harm, I won’t let this matter rest.
“Let’s see if the Jarrett family is truly inferior to the Walton family.”
SEND GIFT
and watched as the stories gained traction.
With a smirk, they muttered, “Jean, I’ve got your back. No one bullies you
and
gets away with it.”
