Chapter 115 When Acting Fails


    Perhaps drawn by their conversation, Franklin–who had been silent–finally turned his head.


    His eyesnded on Erin’s swollen face, but the words that came out of his mouth left both of them stunned. “What did you do?”


    When he saw Liam and Erin standing there in a daze, as if they couldn’t understand what he meant, Franklin spoke again.


    “Tracy wouldn’t hurt you without a good reason. What did you do to push her that far?”


    Perhaps because he had just woken up, Franklin’s voice came out low and raspy, but it carried a firm, unshakeable tone.


    Erin’s face froze in an instant, panic shing across it, though hatred burned even stronger beneath.


    All these years, she had tried every trick in the book to win over this old man. That was why, two years ago, after chasing Tracy away, she had plotted to get him out of the Jackman Vi so he wouldn’t interfere with her schemes.


    But she never imagined that, even now, with one foot in the grave, the old fool was still sharp as a tack.


    She swallowed her rising anger and put on an expression of grief and fear as she defended herself. “I didn’t do anything.


    “My face is like this because Tracy hit me. I swear, I didn’t do a thing to her.”


    Before arriving, she had intentionally messed up her appearance to make it look worse. Paired with her pitiful expression, it was enough to break anyone’s heart.


    Yet Franklin remained ice–cold. “Tracy has a gentle nature. If she hit you, it’s because you must have bullied her first.”


    The absolute certainty in his voice nearly twisted Erin’s face with rage.


    She shot a pleading nce at Liam, hoping he would stick up for her like he always did.


    But Liam just stared nkly at Franklin on the hospital bed. His heart pounded as if struck by a heavy blow.


    Erin looked so ragged, and she hadid everything out so clearly. So why did Franklin still believe Tracy?


    No. He used to trust Tracy deeply too, more than he trusted his own parents or Andrew.


    But when did he start doubting everything Tracy said and did as his first instinct?


    In the silent hospital room, Erin endured Franklin’s piercing stare. She felt more awkward than ever before.


    After a brief hesitation, she tugged at Liam’s sleeve and softly called out, “Liam … ”


    Liam snapped out of it and saw her ashen face. He immediately asked with worry, “Erin, what’s the matter?”


    “I’ve been crying so much these past few days, worrying about Grandpa. I … I … ”


    Erin suddenly rolled her eyes back and slumped right into his arms.


    Liam jumped in surprise and quickly caught her. All those swirling thoughts vanished from his mind. He red at Franklin with fury. “Grandpa, Erin has never been in great health. She’s been so anxious about you that she hasn’t eaten or slept properly, and then Tracy treats her like this. How can you be so hard on her?”


    Franklin had long <i>ago </i>seen through the Jackmans‘ blind favoritism toward Erin, so he didn’t get angry.


    Someone who could so easily cast aside her sister he’d grown up with wouldn’t hesitate to criticize a grandfather who wasn’t even blood–rted.


    Franklin shot a cold look at the “unconscious” Erin. His voiceced with fury, he said, “Get out!”


    Liam started to say something, but when his eyes met Franklin’s gaze, an inexplicable fear gripped him, and he swallowed his words.


    He nced at the woman who had fainted in his arms. “I’ll take Erin to see a doctor. Grandpa, get some rest.”


    Franklin didn’t care if they stayed or left. He replied coldly, “If I find out you’re bullying Tracy … ”


    Even lying there pale in the hospital bed, his presence was overwhelming, far beyond what an ordinary person could handle, let alone Liam, the most infamous spoiled rich kid in Cloudville.


    Liam’s body went rigid, and he hurriedly carried Erin out of the room.


    Only after the door clicked shut did Franklin seem to rx, hismanding presence ebbing away.


    He hadn’t even had a chance to mourn Walter before he began worrying about Tracy.


    Since he was awake now, Tracy would surelye to visit him. Erin had


    deliberately spouted those things in front of him earlier. His poor Tracy must have been mistreated!


    While Franklin thought about Tracy, Liam had already rushed Erin to a doctor.


    Because of Erin’s “frail health,” the Jackmans had arranged a personal doctor for her.


    The doctor said it was due to “overwhelming stress” and that she needed plenty of


    rest.


    When she woke up, Benjamin, Daphne, and Andrew were all hovering by her bedside with concern.


    Daphne was so upset that her eyes were red from crying. “My poor Erin, how did


    your face end up so swollen?”


    Benjamin wore a dark expression. “That kind of arrogant, overbearing attitude really proves she’s not a true Jackman by blood.”


    Clearly, they already knew who was responsible for hurting Erin this way.


    Liam had been sitting off to the side in a fog, especially as he watched everyone fuss over Erin with such care. His mind kept drifting to Tracy’s isted figure.


    Earlier, he’d called to announce that Franklin was awake, casually mentioning that Erin had passed out from worry—though the doctor assured him she’d be fine.