Philip sneered and slid a glance at Raymond.

He mocked, “Raymond, shouldn't you teach this brat a lesson for threatening us? Are you letting your compassionate nature take over and allow her to repeat her mistake? If others take her as an example, how should we, as elders, manage the younger members?”

Raymond squinted his eyes at Philip's accusation. After studying his daughter, his gaze swung to the silent Huntley beside her.

“You b*stard! How dare you collude with Juliana and lie to me! Speak! Did you compel her to do so?”

Huntley looked at Juliana with a firm gaze.

A bad feeling rose within Juliana. She instinctively grasped onto the hem of his shirt and furiously shook her head at him. The look in her eyes was pleading with him not to do it.

She would never allow him to sacrifice himself to save her. She didn't want to owe him such a huge favor. She couldn't.

He had suffered so much in the past and finally went from rags to riches. With the rein of enormous power in his grip, he finally stood at the top. I can't watch him lose everything just to protect me. This is too unfair for him. After spending so much time with him, I know his feelings for me. He might've been grateful for me in the past, but as he grew into a man, he learned about the love between a man and a woman. Thus, he probably is in love with me. Otherwise, he wouldn't have spared every effort to protect and accompany me. I can't accept and don't know how to respond to such intense feelings. I might be able to give him an answer if I never met Zeke, but my heart already has Zeke and can't accommodate any other men. Under such circumstances, if I still cling to Huntley and tie him down, that'll be too selfish of me.

“Huntley, don't! I don't need you to save me, or fulfill my wish.”

Huntley reached for her hand and smiled faintly. “Don't be scared. I'm here. I won't let anything happen to you, so don't let your imaginations run wild. I have the gratitude for you saving my life engraved in my heart. Even if it costs me my life, I will make sure no harm comes to you.”

On the heels of his declaration, he dropped to his knees in front of Raymond. With a hung head, he lied, “The thought of aborting the baby did cross Ms. Juliana's mind when she found out she was pregnant, but I stopped her, Mr. Raymond. I was the one who compelled her to keep the baby and incited her to lie to you that the baby belonged to me. I was the one who started everything, so you should punish me instead of her. Since there's no place for Ms. Juliana in the Hoffman family, please expel her from the family and let me bear all the punishments for her wrongdoings.”

Juliana staggered and collapsed to the floor. With her arms wrapped around Huntley, she looked up at her father. “He's lying! I was the one who wanted to keep the baby and forced him to admit the baby was his. Father, this is all my fault. Do whatever you want with me, but please spare Huntley.”

The veins on Raymond's head throbbed with every word out of her mouth. The frost in his eyes could freeze a person on the spot.

He tried to suppress the burning rage growing within him but failed. In the end, Juliana received another slap across her cheek.

Is this brat oblivious to her current situation? Huntley already sacrificed himself to save her life. Why is she wasting his effort at such a crucial moment?

Juliana lifted her head and stared at Raymond with determination. “I was the one who wanted to keep the baby and forced Huntley to admit it as his. I'm sure you're aware that I saved his life before, so he's willing to do anything to repay the favor.”

Before Raymond could say anything, Philip snorted. “You two can stop trying to acquit the other from the charges. Both of you will be held accountable for such a serious matter.”

He turned to Raymond when he finished. “Raymond, you have always proclaimed yourself to be a fair person. Are you planning to cover for your daughter after she committed such a serious offense? Don't forget she carries the blood of the Shurmer family in her belly. If she returns to Zeke's side and conspires against the Hoffman family's wealth and power, we'll be faced with impending doom by then. We might forgive her if the b*stard belonged to anyone else, but the situation is already out of our control. If you release her, you're basically laying up trouble for yourself and bringing harm to the family. You're not just her father but also the head of the Hoffman family. The rise and fall of the entire family sat on your shoulders. You must resolve yourself and be ruthless. It should never be an option to let her take the Shurmer family's side and stage a comeback with Zeke to cause further harm to the Hoffman family.”

Raymond closed his eyes and said, “We'll decide their punishment after the family meeting. Juliana is still the heir of the Hoffman family. We can't decide rashly and should give her a fair judgment.”

Dissatisfied with the outcome, Tucker was about to retort when Philip stopped him.

“Okay, we heed your advice, Raymond. Someone throw them into the dungeon.”

“Yes, sir.”
The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255