Chapter 787
Hearing this, Thad had his fists clenched so tightly that the veins on the back of his hand stood out starkly; he sneered with cold mockery:
“Old Frederic’s the poster child for fatherly love, ain’t he? No matter what, he can’t bear to give up on this daughter who has been rotten to the core.”
“It’s not Glynnis who he can’t let go of–it’s his precious Abernathy pride!”
Gordon was beside himself with rage. “I’ve seen him at the hospital these past couple of days, fussing over Mr. Hamilton and showing concern for poor Ms. Marilla’s condition. I thought, maybe, just maybe, his conscience had kicked in. It turned out that I was just too damn naive!”
“Frederic’s been nothing but a selfish snob from the get–go, a man who believes in ‘every man for himself.” How could you ever expect him to have an epiphany?”
Thad pivoted his tall and imposing figure to face the overcast sky, “Since he cares so much about face, I’ll make sure he watches his own dignity shatter to pieces on the ground, and his face become beyond recognition!”
The public outcry was fermenting, with calls for justice against the notorious ‘Group of Six‘ growing louder by the day.
Glynnis was embroiled in the scandal too. As a member of the Abernathy family, as well as Marilla’s own sister, her actions were, in some ways, even more execrable than those of the infamous Edith and her cronies.
Naturally, Frederic wouldn’t stand for the Abernathy name being dragged through the mud. Despite knowing full well the extent of Glynnis‘ malice, he had no choice but to shield her.
So, he ordered Dennis to prepare for an emergency press conference in the grand ballroom of the Abernathy estate.
Below the podium, flashbulbs popped incessantly.
The harsh light illuminated Frederic’s haggard face as he spoke with a mix of indignation and sorrow:
“Three days ago, my daughter Marilla suffered an inhumane kidnapping and bullying incident. To this moment, she lies unconscious in the hospital ICU. As a father, my heart is in agony. I haven’t slept a wink these three days, and I’ve been struggling in an unprecedented pain.”
The press, usually sharp and probing, was uncharacteristically silent, which was a testament to the heart–wrenching nature of Marilla’s ordeal.
“I’ve called this press conference for two reasons. First, to update everyone who’s concerned about my daughter’s condition. And second, as her father, I vow to pursue justice against those who have harmed her, and I will not rest until I do!”
“Mr. Frederic! Your elder daughter Glynnis was also at the scene of Marilla’s abduction!”
A reporter couldn’t help but blurt out, “And according to several accounts, she was part of the bullying gang. and had participated in the long–term mental and physical torment of her autistic sister. You say you want justice, so what about Glynnis? What will you do about her?”
“She was seen kicking Marilla clear as day during the live stream!”
“If Glynnis gets off scot–free just because she’s your daughter, don’t you think that’s grossly unfair to Marilla?!”
The room buzzed with discontent and criticism.
This was no longer just a case of a wealthy family’s dirty laundry being aired in public.
It was clearly visible to all that Glynnis was in cahoots with Edith and the rest. There was no reason for her to escape punishment while the others faced the consequences.
Frederic’s expression darkened, and he said with his jaw clenched, “It was wrong for Glynnis to mix with those degenerates; I admit it. But she’s my daughter. I’ve watched her grow up. She’s made some mistakes, sure, but she’s not evil at heart. She’s just been led astray by bad influences like Edith.”
The crowd murmured in disbelief.
The saying “blood is thicker than water‘ seemed to fit Mr. Frederic perfectly, as he seemed determined to whitewash his conscienceless daughter’s actions.
Suddenly, the ballroom doors swung open.
A towering figure strode in, and he instantly became the center of attention.
“It’s Mr. Thaddeus!”
Thad, with an imposing aura around him, headed straight for Frederic, whose expression grew increasingly stiff.
Father and son stood face to face, enveloped by a sea of flashbulbs.
“Mr. Frederic’s remarks are so absurd that they leave me speechless, Thad spoke with a chilling sneer, “Glynnis, along with Edith and the other suspects, kidnapped, confined, and brutally assaulted my sister Marilla, who is still unconscious in the ICU, and here you are, trying to absolve an accomplice?”
His words sent shock–waves through the room!
Frederic struggled to contain his emotions, and his hands tightened on the table.
“And if today Glynnis walks free from assault, what about tomorrow? If she kills someone, will you also gloss over it just as lightly?”
“You’re speaking in hypotheticals. Glynnis has not killed anyone. She’s simple–minded; she was just manipulated by people with ulterior motives!!
In front of the media, Frederic was hinting at treating this criminal case as a mere family scandal, “Glynnis and Marilla are both your sisters, and they’re both my daughters. I am merely stating facts, with no intention of showing bias or absolving anyone!”
Thad’s piercing gaze grew colder, and his hand moved inside his suit jacket, ready to deliver a heavy blow
Frederic.
However, at that moment, the giant screen in the ballroom suddenly lit up!
“Look, what’s that?!” © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.
People had their eyes turn to the screen, including the Abernathy father and son.
A paternity test report, stamped with the seal of an authoritative institution, was displayed.
In black and white, the words spelled out a devastating revelation:
to
“Based on the available evidence and DNA analysis, it is concluded that Frederic is not the biological father of Glynnis.”