"Audrey, you're just a stepdaughter of the Lance Family. How dare you scheme against my son? It's because of you that Jerry was detained! You even conspired with Linda so she could leave the Rofus Family and marry into a wealthy family!" Caroline's tone dripped with hostility.
Anthea frowned slightly and was about to respond, but Eric, who had remained silent in the corner, interjected, "Oh? Really? Is that so? Didn't Jerry intentionally harass her, and he ended up facing the consequences?"
Eric referred to the previous incident when Jerry had attempted to harm Audrey and had been soundly beaten in return. Caroline's expression instantly turned ugly. Audrey was taken aback.
[Wow! Second Brother is incredible! He's still standing up for me at a time like this! I'm so happy!]
Eric couldn't help but smile when he noticed the bold words above Audrey's head.
"Audrey, is what Caroline said true?" Gary questioned with a stern demeanor, ignoring Eric's intervention.
Gary knew he owed his three biological children, especially Abner. When Abner was very young, Gary had pushed him to learn various aspects of the business to prepare him for a future role in the family enterprise. Though Gary and Caroline had amicably divorced, business dealings had kept the two families connected. If Gary couldn't resolve this situation effectively, he dreaded what Caroline might do. In recent days, Abner had been spending more time at home, and Gary was keen to avoid a deep-seated feud with him over this matter. The only thing he could do now was to console Caroline. Anthea also looked nervously at Audrey. If Audrey had the courage to deny these allegations, Anthea was prepared to fight Caroline to the death for her daughter's innocence, even if it meant sacrificing everything. Audrey harbored no fear of Caroline. She firmly denied the "misdeeds" Caroline had attributed to her.
"Madam, is there some misunderstanding? Jerry's detainment by the police is a consequence of his actions with Linda. How does that implicate me in any way?
Anthea heaved a sigh of relief.
"Nonsense!" Caroline practically leaped to her feet and jabbed a finger in Audrey's direction. "It has to be you! You conspired with that illegitimate daughter to set Jerry up!"
Caroline had always carried an air of gentility, and witnessing her suddenly berating someone like a shrew left everyone present deeply unsettled. "Framed? Framed for what?" A chilling voice pierced the room suddenly. It was Abner! Audrey's face lit up with pleasant surprise.
[I hereby declare that Big Brother is now the sole ruler of my heart.]
Abner was slightly taken aback when he noticed the bold words above Audrey's head. What was this girl thinking now?
Caroline, equally surprised by her son's sudden return, quickly recomposed herself and greeted him with a feigned amiability, "Abner, you're back?"
Caroline and Abner didn't share much of an emotional bond, as their dealings had revolved largely around Jerry over the years. So, Abner's demeanor toward his mother remained icy, to the point where Caroline sometimes questioned if he had ever regarded her as his mother.
Unaware of her own neglect of Abner over the years, Caroline failed to recognize that she had merely seen her eldest son as a means to secure her own benefits.
Abner could feel a headache coming on. When he had strolled into the garden earlier, he had already heard his mother's frantic yelling from a distance. It was evident that she had returned because of his younger brother.
Abner held little to none affection for Jerry. After hearing that Caroline had berated Audrey, he felt a mounting frustration that threatened to consume him.
Abner considered himself a stoic individual. No matter how incensed he became, he seldom vented his anger on his mother. Seated now, he regarded her with a penetrating gaze and asked, 'What is it that you wish to accomplish today?"
Caroline, mindful of the recent hang-up incident, felt her breath catch, but her rational side warned her that she couldn't afford any missteps at this pivotal moment.
Caroline retorted, "Abner, you're well aware of what transpired. I won't explain anymore. Audrey framed Jerry. Now, the entire industry perceives him as a bastard that drugged and raped a girl... Abner, Jerry is your brother by blood.. Will you stand idly by while his reputation is tarnished?"
# "I begin tucking him into bed and he tells me, 'Daddy, check for monsters under my bed.' I look underneath for his amusement and see him, another him, under the bed, staring back at me, quivering and whispering, 'Daddy, there's somebody on my bed.'