The statement stunned everyone present.


    Andrew’s expression darkened. “Everyone here is family. What exactly are you implying, Asher? Are you suggesting that one of our own leaked information to outsiders to harm you?”


    Lady ckwood also spoke up: “Indeed, Asher. You specifically instructed us not to contact the police before you left. Even if I’m getting on a bit, I’m hardly senile. We didn’t call the police, and we certainly wouldn’t leak information that could endanger your life to outsiders.”


    Randolph added: “I can absolutely guarantee that neither Victoria nor I leaked any information. Thalia was still in their hands–leaking information could have cost both your lives. We absolutely wouldn’t take such a risk. Even when Lucy disappeared shortly after you left, we remembered your strict instructions not to involve the police.”


    Catherine strongly disagreed with Asher’s usation. “There must be some misunderstanding here.”


    Grace interjected: “That’s right, brother. This must be a misunderstanding. Perhaps one of Thalia’s friends or colleagues identally let something slip, and someone with ill intentions overheard and deliberately called the police to sabotage you.”


    Before Asher could respond, Thalia suddenlyughed.


    Her lips twisted into a cold smile, her eyes like frozen daggers. “Grace, the person who called the police was Drake Ashcroft. You leaked the information to him, didn’t you?”


    ked


    Grace’s face paled. “Thalia, what on earth are you saying? How could I possibly—”


    A sharp, resounding p interrupted her.


    Grace hadn’t finished speaking before Thalia struck her across the face.


    The p was <i>so </i>swift and forceful that Randolph and the ckwood family were momentarily stunned, clearly caught off guard.


    Grace clutched her cheek, her eyes brimming with tears. “Thalia, I know you’ve never liked me, but you can’t just use me without evidence…”


    any


    As she spoke, Grace turned toward Lady ckwood. “Grandmother, please, you must stand up for me.”


    Lady ckwood’s expression darkened instantly. “Thalia Winters, how dare you p Grace in front of all of us! You have absolutely no breeding! Is this how your parents raised you? Resorting to violence at the slightest provocation–some cultured heiress you are! You’re nothing but amon shrew!”


    Andrew’s expression was equally displeased<i>. </i>Grace was his adopted daughter, a member of the ckwood family. For Thalia <i>to </i>p her in front of them was tantamount to pping the entire ckwood family in the face.


    97.4%


    Andrew’s tone was disapproving: “Thalia, you’ve gone too far. If you have something to say, say it properly. There’s


    no need for violence…”


    “Thalia, please calm down…<b>” </b>Catherine urged.


    Unlike the other ckwood family members, Asher’s first reaction was to step forward and shield Thalia, concerned that Grace might retaliate.


    Of course, Grace was no match for Thalia in a physical confrontation.


    Nevertheless, Asher instinctively moved to protect Thalia.


    This gesture was like a knife to Grace’s heart, causing her face to pale even further.


    Initially caught off guard, Randolph quickly recovered when he heard Lady ckwood insulting his daughter. Abandoning all pretense of respect for elders or social niceties, he immediately confronted her.


    “Lady ckwood, I’ve shown you respect as the ckwood matriarch, yet you publicly call my daughter a shrew? How bloody dare you! If Thalia is a shrew, what does that make your Grace? At that party, she ndered Thalia, and you immediately took her side without investigating, humiliating my daughter. When Thalia found video evidence, you all refused to watch it. Have you forgotten? Is this how you’ve raised your granddaughter? Judging by her behaviour, Thalia must have had good reason to p her!”


    Randolph was furious, his voice rising. “Furthermore, Thalia was kidnapped because of her connection to your family. Now Lucy has been taken to Russia by your illegitimate grandson, her fate unknown. If your adopted daughter leaked information, I’d want to kill her myself! A p is getting off bloody lightly!”


    “You–Randolph, you-” Lady ckwood was so enraged her chest heaved violently. She pointed a trembling finger at Randolph. “You’repletelywless! Threatening to kill Grace in broad daylight–have you no respect for thew? I should call the police and have you arrested this instant!”


    “Ha! The police?” Randolphughed coldly. “Go ahead! Let them investigate exactly what happened with Thalia’s kidnapping!”


    “You-” Lady ckwood’s face turned ashen<b>, </b>her breathingboured as if she might lose consciousness.


    “Quickly! Get thedy’s medication!” Andrew shouted to a servant.


    The servant rushed to retrieve the medicine.


    Meanwhile, Asher spoke up.


    “Since Grandmother wants to involve the police, let’s do that. I’d also like to know who leaked the information, why Malfoy knew about Thalia’s whereabouts, and why he knew the real reason behind our breakup and cancelled engagement.”


    He fixed Grace with a cold stare. “You–stay right where you are and wait for the police.”


    97.5%


    Grace looked on the verge of tears, herrge eyes glistening. “Brother, you don’t believe me….. <b>This </b>concerned your life–how could I possibly leak information to outsiders…”


    *Randolph, get out! Get out of our house! You’re not wee in the ckwood home….” Lady ckwood red at Randolph, her eyes zing with anger.


    Asher’s voice was frigid. “Grandmother, that’s enough.”


    Though he addressed her as “Grandmother,” his tone wasmanding and intimidating, brooking no opposition.


    Seeing her precious grandson protecting Thalia and using such a tone with her, Lady ckwood felt her heart turn ice–cold.


    “Well, I’m not bloody leaving,” Randolph retorted.


    He returned Lady ckwood’s re with equal intensity. “Call the police! I want them to uncover the truth<b>!</b>”


    Andrew tried to mediate. “Come now, we’re all family here. Let’s all calm down a bit.”


    Randolph scoffed: “Family? Don’t make meugh. Your kind of family is deadly–getting involved with you lot is life–threatening!”


    Andrew sighed, turning to Lady ckwood with a helpless expression. “Mother, please don’t get upset. Don’t trigger your heart condition. Why don’t you go upstairs to rest? Asher and I can handle this.”


    “Yes, Mother, please rest first,” Catherine added.


    “I will not!” Lady ckwood dered loudly. “I’ll wait for the police to arrive and uncover the truth, and then Thalia will apologize to Grace.”


    Hearing this, Thalia gave a coldugh. “Apologize<b>? </b>Not bloody likely.”


    Grace’s tears fell silently as she sobbed. “Grandmother, I don’t know what I’ve done wrong to make Thalia hate me so much. I really didn’t leak any information… Father, Mother, please believe me.”


    Seeing his daughter crying with a red handprint on her face, Andrew’s heart softened. “Don’t cry, wronged.”


    Catherine, however, furrowed her brow. Her gaze settled on Grace, thoughtful.


    I’ve been


    Thalia stepped out from behind Asher, fixing Grace with an icy stare. “Stop the act, you maniptive cow. It’s revolting.”


    Thisment further infuriated Lady ckwood.


    Seeing Lady ckwood struggling to breathe, the servant quickly administered her medication.


    97.7%


    Andrew frowned at Thalia. “You should watch what you say…”


    Thalia snorted dismissively. “I’m no longer your future daughter–inw. Why should I listen to you?”


    This retort left Andrew speechless.


    “No one’s calling the police, then?” Randolph took out his phone. “I’ll do it myself.”


    O (20)


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